351w with Gt40 Heads

I have read a lot about this set up but cant find a good solid answer to two questions.

1. Do you need longer push rods?

2. Do the valves hit the pistons?

I have read some say yes, some say no. Anyone have this set up?

Any advise is much appreciated!

 

Check with SBFTECH.com. They have all the SBF answers.

 

there was a 302HO that had flat top pistons that had valve clearance issues, i think it was the 86 302 in mustangs. i havent heard of a 351 with clearance problems unless your going with a big lift cam. do your pistons have valve reliefs?

 

I had those heads on my car with standard length roller cam pushrods and I never had a problem... And they will work on the 351W also.. Just make sure you use '78 and newer 351W pushrods to use with the GT-40 heads...

 

You would have to be MUCH more specific for those 2 questions to be answered correctly. Too many variables can make a answer to either questions a moot point. Unless you have a deal on the GT40 heads, you must know there are so many better performing heads out there that will bolt right on the 351W. Again, you are asking very generic questions that cant be answered correctly without more info. The minute one of us " assumes " you have a stock engine, and then find out you have a non stock cam or pistons etc., all time has been wasted. Hope that helps.

 

The iron GT-40 heads were standard equippment on the 1993 Cobra Mustang with the same 5.0L engine that the GT/LX 5.0 came with... And they also came with a bigger high lift cam...


The 1993 351W F-150 Lightning pickup came standard with the iron GT-40 heads also...
Both used the same identical cylinder head...
So I say, bolt those on and enjoy them... I have a set in my garage... If you want, I could post pictures of one after I have my coffee... Just let me know!!

 

I bought a new B-58 351W lightning shortblock from the Ford dealer in '95 for only 1300 bucks.. I could have chose to use those heads on that motor, but instead I went with a set of Trick-Flow T.W. heads for a 302/5.0L.. All I did to make those work on 351 was to drill out the headbolt holes out to .531" dia which is the standard clearance dia. for a 1/2" dia. headbolt...

 

Right Dueces, I was in the shower thinking the same thing. If the heads he mentioned came from the 302, that block used 7/16" head bolts and the 351W used 1/2" head bolts.

 

Yes, but Ford used shoulder bolts to mount those heads on a 302 because the GT-40 heads were already drilled out for 1/2 inch bolts... I'll go take some pictures of my heads and post those on here.... Back in a bit!!

 

Thats funny,because I have worked on many,and none came with these "shoulder bolts" that you speak of.

 

1.Actually depends on the year of the block,later model blocks....no you don`t.

2. Depends on your setup.

 

Ford has a part # for those (GT-40) head bolts to use on a 302/5.0L... Don't know the part # off hand though... Sorry!

 

Here we go..... The combustion chamber volume on these heads are around 65cc... Intake valve dia. is 1.84" same a chevy 305 4-bbl head.. Exhaust valve dia. is 1.54".. Intake ports are way bigger than a standard 302 head.. The exhaust ports are oval shaped on these and have no emission bumps in them to restrict exhaust flow.... These heads along with the B-303 roller cam from Ford Motorsports were the hot setup in the early '90's for a small block Ford... These GT-40 heads have "GT" casted into them for easy id... Sorry I didn't take a close up of the combustion chambers... I knew I forgot something... DOH!

 

I also forgot to mention that these heads are as cast with no porting done to them.. I bought the bare castings new sealed in the boxes and the guy threw in the valve gear for free! Very cool! All I had to do was assemble them and bolt them on... Had it all done in a weekend along with a cam swap!

 

FORD Part# M-6065-C351 should be the correct number for the 1/2" head bolts, to bolt the heads to the 351W block. TR

 

Those are just standard windsor head bolts... You could probably get those at a scrap yard... I used ARP head stud kit on my windsor 'cause of the aluminum heads I have on it... Overkill, I know!

 

" scrap yard ", whats next reusing old oil

 

Nope! I re-used the factory head bolts when I bolted on my GT-40 heads... I made some bolt hole dowels to shrink the .531 " holes down for the 7/16" 302 head bolts... Worked great for 40,000+ miles I put on the motor before I did the BIG windsor swap.. I didn't want to spend the $$ for the special head bolts...

 

.^.

 

Thanks guys for all the input. Thanks for the pic Deuces.

My 351w is an 86 and i am just re building the top end. Motor had 80,000 miles on in when I got it. Adding a mild cam in it. Not looking for tons of power just something to turns the wheels and have a little fun in. So drills the hole larger and bolt them on. Thats good to know. I will be doing a quickie valve job on them. Springs to match the cam, as well as seals, locks, retainers and such.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

At 80000 miles how does the bottom end look? Id at least freshen the bottom end while I was at it.

 

Bottom end looks to be ok. Might do some work to freshen it up. Trying to stick to a good budget build. Once I get to work putting the motor together I'll post pics of what I do to the heads. Try to make a good thread for any others out on this adventure.