Difference in 67 289 heads and 77 302 heads?

So I have a 77 302 that is going into my mustang, I've mentioned this before. I have the factory 289 that came out of the car, would I be better off putting the 289 heads on the 302 or should I leave the 302 heads on it? The 302 heads were obviously during the smog craze and they're out of an f100 from the time. I just want to know if anyone thinks it would be better to go with the 289 heads or not. I could probably get them ported and polished and make some better power with them. Would I see a power gain from switching to the 289 heads, since they're pre smog?
 
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I should clarify that both of these heads are 2v heads, and they'll both be stock more than likely. I don't have the money laying around to do anything with them at the moment, I was just wondering if I could get better performance out of the 289 heads over the 302 heads due to smog regulations.
 
What yr casting makes a difference with older 289 heads having smaller chambers.

67 289 2v heads net about 9.3 compression in stock engine chamber volume about 63cc
77 302 2v heds net about 8.4 compression in stock engine chamber volume about 69cc

77 302 had a dished piston to help get lower compression

So yes 289 2v head might give slightly better performance than 77 2v head but not by enough to get really excited about or even notice

the stock head performance win goes to the 1993 to 97 gt 40 head
 
What yr casting makes a difference with older 289 heads having smaller chambers.

67 289 2v heads net about 9.3 compression in stock engine chamber volume about 63cc
77 302 2v heds net about 8.4 compression in stock engine chamber volume about 69cc

77 302 had a dished piston to help get lower compression

So yes 289 2v head might give slightly better performance than 77 2v head but not by enough to get really excited about or even notice

the stock head performance win goes to the 1993 to 97 gt 40 head
So is there a difference in the intake ports on the head? The engine is out of the car right now and I could replace heads fairly easily. Which heads would you pick? Looking for honest opinions on this.
 
Are you sure the 289 heads were not contributing to the low compression? If the valves all seal fine, I would go with the 289 heads for a little more compression.

Any difference in intake ports will be insignificant.

Small block Ford's weak point is exhaust flow. Several hours with a Dremel tool can help by pocket porting the exhaust ports.
 
We are talking 45 to 50 yr old engines, are all the pushrods, rockers, studs still good if you go 289 route?
Again what yr casting on 289 what piston in 302 block?

For either head to be worth a :poo: it will need screw in studs, roller rockers, and mild porting

go buy aluminum
 
We are talking 45 to 50 yr old engines, are all the pushrods, rockers, studs still good if you go 289 route?
Again what yr casting on 289 what piston in 302 block?

For either head to be worth a :poo: it will need screw in studs, roller rockers, and mild porting

go buy aluminum
Everything is good on the 289 heads. I'm not sure what pistons are in the 302 block as it has been bored .030 over. My grandpa did the rebuild a while ago, so it's hard for him to remember exactly what went into it. How much is the average porting job?
 
Time is money... There used to be a place called Powerheads where you could send your heads and for $1k they would cnc port them. Looks like inexpensive aluminum heads have put them out of business.

Spending $ on porting iron heads just does not make sense these days. You can get aluminum heads from places like Skip White for $750. Are they the best? No, but will out perform a stock head with average port job.
 
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Check out the Brodix ST5.0 heads from summit. Damn these are nice heads!!! About $1200 for pair and they are READY!

Have them on a 65 289. Love them.
 

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Trent do a search for the Mustang Barn. They have a tech article on porting 289 heads. Cheap performance upgrade by opening up the exhaust. I did this to the engine in my Tiger and can't wait to start and break it in. I also have the C90z hydraulic cam. It's the hydraulic hypo cam. The owner Dan also will curve your your distributor to the proper specs. Another reasonable performance tip. A member on another Mustang forum got 320 hp. With this set up, using a 4 barrel carb and manifold. Bill