valve springs

[86lxhatch]

I was wondering if anyone knows which valve springs I need to run with my Ford b-cam. It's going with stock heads and valves. I am unsure of the spec on the heads (e-7, gt40p, etc) I can't find any identifiers on the heads or numbers. I do believe they are 1985 302 truck heads though, as all the parts that came off the motor seem to be of the same year and type. I will also be converting to a roller block with the link bar lifters. What seat pressure, or open/close pressures should I be looking at? I would like to go with a dual spring set up, but want to make sure I get the right springs for the motor I am building. Thanks

 

[2000xp8]

Not sure i would assemble an engine with 85 302 heads of any type.

I know this is going to sound bad, but sounds like you are going backwards not forward.

If you are on a budget, explorer engines are 500 bucks, some less.
You are going to spend more than an entire explorer engine on the cam, valve springs, and link bar lifters, and probably come up 50hp short of what one makes.
With roller blocks being a dime a dozen, it just isn't worth the trouble to convert one.

 

[79'293stang]

I agree. I had a 96 Explorer engine shipped to my door for $500. Refreshed it, put in new seals, oil pump, bearings, rings, etc. Did it all for less than a grand and have put 20,000 miles of boost through it without a hiccup. To be honest I have had less issues with this setup than any I have done before.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

The '85 heads aren't so bad. They've got slightly less compression than the '87-up E7TE's, but they're not to be confused with the '86 castings. Those are the ones to watch out for.

I agree with the others though. An Explorer engine would be your best bet. Swap out your HO cam and add a set of Trick Flow valve springs to the mix and you're laughing. Go with the '96 or early-'97 engine if you plan on retaining your EGR and stock type exhaust headers. Later Explorer engines used the GT40P castings and external EGR intake, that isn't compatible with our Mustang.

 

[RangerJoe]

All good advice above. If you want double springs you will have to have the spring cup machined to make clearance for them. Thats an extra cost to throw into a not so great head. A lot of guys have had good success using TFS spring kit designed for SBF heads. They are a single spring designed for roller cams. Might want to look into those.

Joe