• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

New cylender heads?

  • Thread starter Thread starter GIDYUP
  • Start date Start date May 1, 2004

GIDYUP

New Member
Feb 7, 2003
132
0
0
melbourne, australia
May 1, 2004
#1
  • May 1, 2004
  • #1
New cylinder heads?

Hi guys i was just after a few thoughts about what heads i should get for my 302. One of mine is cracked hence the need for new ones. I was thinking trickflow, AFR, edelbrock performer 289. My mechanic said i could probably go with some off a 2000 model ford here which would be cast iron and flow around the same rate. I'm not that good with engines so any ideas would be helpful. At the moment i've got a 66 mustang coupe with a 302 in it, stock heads, edelbrock performer 289, holley 600, mild cam and extractors. I'm not ceratin on most of the work as it was done by the previous 2 owners. It's also got 131.9kw at the wheels, any idea on power increase at all with different heads? What are the advantages and disadvantages of alloy heads and cast iron heads? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

NorCal66

New Member
Aug 12, 2003
334
0
0
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA HOME
May 1, 2004
#2
  • May 1, 2004
  • #2
Well, it depends on your plans for the car. You don't want to get a decent set of heads, decide you want to go faster and have to buy another set. I've heard nothing but good things about AFRs, a pair of 165s would be great on a 302. If you're not looking to make the car all too fast, GT-40s would probably be a good choice. Aluminum heads are lighter, but disappate heat faster. Iron heads weigh much more, but keep the heat in. Depending on your combo and performance of heads you decide on, new heads are capable of making a tremendous diffrence over stockers, I've heard 70hp (at the fly) many times.
 

1320stang

Founding Member
Nov 13, 1998
4,329
23
89
Edmond, Oklahoma
May 1, 2004
#3
  • May 1, 2004
  • #3
What's the conversion rate to convert kw to hp? Are they still making Windsor motors down there? I don't think we've seen a windsor in a production vehicle since about '96 or '97. I think the Explorer was the last to have a 302 in it.
 

GIDYUP

New Member
Feb 7, 2003
132
0
0
melbourne, australia
May 1, 2004
#4
  • May 1, 2004
  • #4
Yeah NORCAL66 i should have been a little more clear, it's a daily driven car so i don't want too much power. My main problem is here in melbourne you have a probationary license your first 3 years of driving, in that time your not meant to drive a car with more then 3.5 litres per tonne or 100kw per tonne. I think that's what it is anyway, i'm either right on that limit now or possibly just over it and getting new heads will certainly put me over it. I still have another 2½ years of this. My end goal for my car is to go no higher then 200kw at the wheels which i'm thinking is about 300-310hp at the engine. That might be wrong though, but 1320stang i think the conversion is something like 1kw=1.3hp. someone correct me if i'm wrong. 1320stang yeah i'm pretty sure there still using 302's, my mates 2000 model ford XR8 ute used one. Ford here have recently swapped there main model's so i'm not completely sure but i think they are.
 

TRICKFastback

New Member
Apr 2, 2004
28
0
0
Arizona
May 2, 2004
#5
  • May 2, 2004
  • #5
GIDYUP said:
Hi guys i was just after a few thoughts about what heads i should get for my 302. One of mine is cracked hence the need for new ones. I was thinking trickflow, AFR, edelbrock performer 289. My mechanic said i could probably go with some off a 2000 model ford here which would be cast iron and flow around the same rate. I'm not that good with engines so any ideas would be helpful. At the moment i've got a 66 mustang coupe with a 302 in it, stock heads, edelbrock performer 289, holley 600, mild cam and extractors. I'm not ceratin on most of the work as it was done by the previous 2 owners. It's also got 131.9kw at the wheels, any idea on power increase at all with different heads? What are the advantages and disadvantages of alloy heads and cast iron heads? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...




I just went through this same problem less then a year ago. What I did is i actually switched my motor to a 351W. But the 302 will do that same so dont worry about that... I would run Trick Flow Twisted Wedge Heads, with a Edelbrock Torker II Intake, running a Edelbrock 750cfm carburator, Lastly, I'm assuming you have the stock exhaust setup on it. get rid the single line exhuast and run dual 2.5 inch exhaust with h-pipe off the exhaust manifolds, top that off with series 40 Flowmaster mufflers..

These quick bolt on will increase your horse power by about 50 - 85 hp.

also, if you do go withe Edelbrock Torker II Intake, be sure to check for hood clearance.

Good Luck!!
 

allcarfan

The Answer Man
Founding Member
Apr 8, 2001
2,458
1
56
North Atlanta
May 2, 2004
#6
  • May 2, 2004
  • #6
The above combination is a little strange. Carb too big, torker II intake is not the best either.

First and foremost...how much do you want to spend? If you swap cylinder heads, you should really swap the cam to so you can take advantage of them. Go to the AFR website for some dyno-proven power combinations.
 

GIDYUP

New Member
Feb 7, 2003
132
0
0
melbourne, australia
May 3, 2004
#7
  • May 3, 2004
  • #7
Thanks for the help guys, i'm going to go with some heads off a mid 90's falcon here. It was going to end up costing too much money otherwise and i'm also trying to save for a house at the moment. Thanks for the advice though guys, i appreciate it. The heads will be better then what i have now so that's a plus!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

9
Forced Induction Prepping for supercharger on non-stock build
  • 91fox427
  • Nov 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
414
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 5, 2026
Qtrhrse23
Q
Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
819
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
D
66 Coupe Progress Thread
  • DTCRAWLEY
  • Apr 19, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
43
Views
1K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 17, 2026
DTCRAWLEY
D
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
889
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
H
Brand New Built 302 overheating
  • hassler
  • Sep 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 26, 2025
Rcdgl
R
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?