Performance Bolt ons

[snipe]

Hi, I am going to be doing the heads, intake manifold, headers , distributor ,the engine was rebuilt in 95 - 351w @ .030 over crank was ground,main bearings cam bearings etc I want to go with Edelbrock heads probably the 6022, but the question is, i am not sure what size cam is in it now, to the ear it sounds like a mild cam runs great on 87 octane, will these heads bolt on without a problem?? Thanks folks.

The only problem that I could think of is piston-valve clearance.

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67 Fastback - Arctic White Pearl paint
351W 415 hp, Trick Flow Alum. Heads, C-4 Trans, 3.55 gears, Front Disc Brakes, 1-1/8" Fr. 3/4" rear sway bars.

[66fastback]

I have to agree. The cam sounds like it might be ok, but I am unsure about the heads. I don't know the Edelbrock P/N's, but if these heads have the 2.02 valves in them, then you probably have a problem. Stick with heads that have the 1.94 valves, and you might get lucky.

I'm running the World Product Windsor Jr.'s, and even with a .500" lift cam, the 1.94/1.60 valves clear fine. More duration or tighter lobe centers would lead to p-v contact however. From your description, you probably have a fairly small cam, which will work great on the street, and might just help you out with the valve clearance.

BOTTOM LINE....you will have to check piston to valve clearance no matter what you run. After market heads and cams can bring the p-v clearance down to almost nothing...or less. You don't want to spend the money on new heads and bend a set of valves, or worse, mess up the pistons as well.

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66 GT Fastback 5.0, 5-speed, cable clutch, JBA's, 3.40 gears, EFI coming soon?

[snipe]

Thanks for the info, what is the recomended method for checking piston-valve clearance?

To check clearence I replaced the valve springs for one cylinder with small springs that were tight enough to hold the valve up, but loose enough to be compressed with my fingers. With the light springs on the valves, adjust the rocker to around zero lash (use your finger to push up on the spring retainer to add tension for adjustment) and then turn the engine through its rotation. You can push down on each valve as it is opening and closing and feel how far it moves before it hits the piston. This process is not exact, but will give you a good idea. I have Trick Flow heads w/2.02,1.60 cam:477/510 219/233@.050 and dishtop pistons. I think that the valves would be very close (or too close) with flat top pistons.

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67 Fastback - Arctic White Pearl paint
351W 415 hp, Trick Flow Alum. Heads, C-4 Trans, 3.55 gears, Front Disc Brakes, 1-1/8" Fr. 3/4" rear sway bars.

[Shaggy]

If you are running the stock style dished pistons you have more than enough room for a 540 lift, low 230's duration @50 on a 108 lobe center with out worrying about it. There is alot more valve clearence than on a 302 because the 351 pistons are dished from the factory. I personnally have runn 2 different 351's with big street cams and heads one of which has the EDE heads on it the valves weren't close enough to worry about even cheking clearence with the cam retarded for extra measure. I ended up advancing the cam (which gives you even more valve clearence because they close sooner)in both motors to make the power earlier anyway.


PS if you are looking at FMS cams I wouldn't go any bigger than the z cam with 1.6's.

[macx]

FYI - Just read an 11 head comparo on a warmed up 5.0 in Nov Mustangs & Super Fords - the AFR 65's came out on top for 302 size engine.