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89 van 351W/5.8. Heads?

Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Powertrain Specific Forum
Forum Name: Small Block Forum
Forum Description: 221, 255, 260, 302 and 351W engines
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=17606
Printed Date: 18-March-2024 at 4:43PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: 89 van 351W/5.8. Heads?
Posted By: russosborne
Subject: 89 van 351W/5.8. Heads?
Date Posted: 22-November-2018 at 6:24PM
I'm converting it to carb.
I don't think these on the engine are rollers,, but I don't know much about this engine.

Not necessarily going to change the heads right now, but I am seeing a lot of different stock 302/351 heads for sale cheap and it has me wondering what the best choice would be, if any. Other than a 4bbl and headers I probably won't be changing anything else for now.

Thanks,
Russ



Replies:
Posted By: MrSmog
Date Posted: 23-November-2018 at 2:52AM
yea that should be a flat tappet engine, best factory heads i can think of are the 93-96 gt40's and the 96-2000 gt40p heads. the p heads can be a bit trickier to get headers for them due to the spark plug placement, so if it were me, then reg gt40's would get the nod.


Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 23-November-2018 at 12:21PM
They are likely E7 heads. (assuming they are original to the 89 van)
Those are the same as what a GT would have used.
Engine will not be roller-cam, but those heads can support significantly more lift than the cam is currently providing.
If you are working on a budget, (Who isn't) they aren't a bad place to start.
Any 302/5,0 head will have smaller head bolt holes. They can be enlarged...
But short of GT0, GT40P heads, the ones you have are as good as you will find in a stock head.


-------------
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy
1979 T-Bird
2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD
How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 23-November-2018 at 4:26PM
Thanks.
I was thinking maybe an older set would be good, but I will stick with these until I can afford aluminum. Mainly because of weight. This is going in my 79 Pinto.
Russ


Posted By: Big Bird
Date Posted: 24-November-2018 at 2:58AM
1969 heads are one of those "Holy Grail" parts, cast from pure Unobtanium, ported and polished by Elves in the Factory, transported to the assembly line by Leprechauns riding Unicorns, blah-blah-blah…
Too much effort/expense chasing a head with only a small performance gain.
Work with the E7s you have or spend the money on quality aftermarket aluminum heads.


-------------
"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy
1979 T-Bird
2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD
How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds?


Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 24-November-2018 at 4:28AM
   ^^^ bird's right.
just cast aluminum will out flow the best prepped cast iron, due to the porosity and molecular structure of the metals Wink

-------------
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION


Posted By: russosborne
Date Posted: 24-November-2018 at 7:43PM
Thanks.
I was just wondering if this might be some magic bullet, but since it isn't I am going to stick with what i have for now.
Unless I find some aluminum ones really cheap. Wink
Definitely not a priority right now. But seeing several pairs for under $400  with different CC's, different years, etc, just got me thinking. Which tends to be a bad thing. Embarrassed
Russ



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