Heads difference on 302

Capt. Zack

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
33
I have 2 sets of heads. One set that was on the motor that was in the boat. They look real nice and cleaned up real well. They do not have 302 cast into the head. The other set was with the other motor that I have out of a F150 truck. These heads also look real nice. They have 302 cast into the top of each head. One difference is the rocker arms. Any thoughts on which heads are better performers or does it matter.

Thanks for your thoughts
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
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50,338
dont know, would need casting info, etc. ford boat motors usually run a much better head than their F150 counterpart. for example, many are running the GT40 heads and most are using teh 351 cam and firing order
 

Capt. Zack

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
33
I did not think that the GT40 heads came out until the early to mid 90's. This Striper is a 1989. and the F150 motor has 302 on the heads. I will look for castingt numbers
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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I know the truck motor would have 302 on the heads. Ford boat motors were a mixed bag of parts. start by following the casting numbers on the boat motor you have.
 

Redrig

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 13, 2009
Messages
860
3 or 4 vertical bars on the front of the head means GT40 or P heads . like you said I doubt the boat heads are gt40 just based on the year , but the truck heads might be .
 

Capt. Zack

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
33
The heads that came off the striper motor have a larger combustion chamber than the heads that came off of the truck. The rocker arms are also old style. I will continue to look for numbers but I think the heads off the boat motor are the newer heads. The block and pistons were ruinedwhen it sat with salt water in the block for 5 months after hydro locking. I had a feind give me the 302 motor out of a truck. I put on all the marine accessories gaskets and freeze plugs. Altenator, starter, water pump carb and distributor. I am about to put the heads on and get ready to fire it up.
 
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