Difference in 5.0 heads

[[email protected]]

I have a 5.0 from an 87 Crown Vic that is in real good shape and a tired 5.0 HO from an 86 Mustang GT. What are the differences in the heads on the two engines and what are the exterior markings that would help distinguish them.

I plan to install one of the engines in an 89 LX convertible.
Thanks
MLG

 

[Daggar]

Someone more familiar with the markings etc.. can answer what I don't but I'll make what you're considering an easy decision for you. 86 GT heads suck and they're good for nothing more than holding doors open or papers down and I wouldn't swap them onto anything. As for swapping the other way. It's very inlikely that you'll get away with it because the 86 GT 5'oh has flat top pistons and compression that's right around 9.2. What that means that most heads (including facotry heads) from other years etc cause a piston to valve clearance problem. Ina nut shell... either way the swap is not very feasable unless you plan to fly cut the pistons on the 86 block.