Page 1 of 2

80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 6:08 pm
by Steve.k
Are the 80’s era heads pretty much the same as 60-70’s windsor? Other than the 69 windsor 4v?

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:02 pm
by travis
Nope. Smaller valves, smaller ports, different valve train just for starters.

GT40’s, on the other hand, are very similar. Valve train is still different, and they have hardened exhaust seats.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:05 pm
by Steve.k
So i take it the new stuff is smaller?

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:13 pm
by travis
Steve.k wrote: Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:05 pm So i take it the new stuff is smaller?
Unless it is GT40’s, then yes, considerably smaller. Approximately 150cc intake runners on the ‘69-‘74 Windsor heads with 1.84” intake valves, vs about 124cc and 1.78” intake valves for ‘77 or ‘78 and newer. Exhaust valves on the early heads was 1.54” vs 1.46” for the later heads, although they actually flow about the same (poorly lol)

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:39 pm
by Steve.k
So for decent street cruising a set of estreet edelbrocks or performers. Money better spent.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 9:43 am
by Walter R. Malik
Steve.k wrote: Sun Nov 08, 2020 6:08 pm Are the 80’s era heads pretty much the same as 60-70’s windsor? Other than the 69 windsor 4v?
NO ... they are the same as O.E.M. 302 heads with larger head bolt holes.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 9:53 am
by Steve.k
Randy could a guy get 350-400 hp outta those no problem. I have a fellow that has 73 mustang they stuffed a windsor in from wreckers. He complained of no power and was wanting a Cleveland which is the correct engine. However doesn’t have the money for complete motor. So thinking we could update what he has.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 10:59 am
by travis
It takes porting and bigger valves to get the early Windsor heads to support 350-400 Hp with a good street combination. Nowadays for the money it is just not worth it IMO, when you can get a decent aluminum head for under $1000. I bought a set of Promaxx 9175’s through Summit on sale for about $900, and fit and finish is as nice as anything I’ve ever seen. And, they have a fast burn style chamber and flow about 40 cfm better on the intake out of the box than a set of ‘70 Windsor heads that I spent way too many hours on.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 1:39 pm
by Steve.k
Thanks Travis. Randy Malik said the same thing about promaxx. They must be good. Probably what we end up doing. Thanks for help you guys, im used to Clevelands where even the baby heads make good power.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 1:51 pm
by blackford
travis wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 10:59 am It takes porting and bigger valves to get the early Windsor heads to support 350-400 Hp with a good street combination. Nowadays for the money it is just not worth it IMO, when you can get a decent aluminum head for under $1000. I bought a set of Promaxx 9175’s through Summit on sale for about $900, and fit and finish is as nice as anything I’ve ever seen. And, they have a fast burn style chamber and flow about 40 cfm better on the intake out of the box than a set of ‘70 Windsor heads that I spent way too many hours on.
I ported a set of DOOEs and had 1.94/1.60 valves put in and had some unshrouding done. Intake is 160cc (was 140) and exhaust is 60cc (thermactor hump is gone). Raised the port roof on intake and exhaust about 3/16" and matched the intakes to Felpro 1262s and the exhaust to 1.48x1.25 gaskets (port matched manifold and headers also). Spent a good deal of time opening up the pinch area in the intakes and the wall thickness adjacent to the pushrod hole is about .040 or less. Never had them flowed, but they support a 430 HP SBF 331. Cam is a Comp 282S

I prefer to make HP rather than buy HP especially in street applications. Admittedly, It was work to get them to this point back in 2002 timeframe and a lot of people either don't have the patience or experience or desire to spend this much time to port heads. Don't get me wrong, it didn't take forever for me to do this...It took about 16 hours of work to port them. I sometimes wonder how I didn't hit a water jacket...lucky I guess.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:04 pm
by Steve.k
We ported a set of c6ae 289 heads a few years back and put it together with mild hydraulic cam. Damn impressive for what it was. Put in 81 stepside pickup with toploader and it surprised alot of guys. Just wasn’t sure on new windsor stuff.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:41 pm
by travis
Walter (Randy) is certainly way more qualified than I am to answer, as I am just a hobbyist.

I certainly don’t disagree with BlackFord, and have done it his way for most of my life. However, it came down to simple economics and ROI for me. I’m not a machinist or a professional engine builder, so other than the actual porting and flow testing, I have to farm most everything out. By the time you do valves, guides, hardened seats, machine for screw in studs, surface, etc etc, there was very little difference in cost, and I’m not dealing with cast iron, 50+ years of water jacket corrosion, old style combustion chambers, or the possibility of a head cracking because I ported it too far in the wrong place.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:54 pm
by fordified
Get a set of twisted wedge trick flow heads. It would be a much better starting point than 50 year old iron with 50 year old technology that’s seriously limited to begin with.

It’s not about buying power. It’s about having a much better starting point and room to grow.

Would you put an AM radio and a 8 track in a car and expect it to sound good?

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 3:07 pm
by Steve.k
The twisted wedge heads are the top of pile. This guys on a budget and not looking to spend much money. Trying to find the best bang for buck.

Re: 80’s era 351w heads

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 8:01 pm
by blackford
fordified wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:54 pm It’s not about buying power. It’s about having a much better starting point and room to grow.

Would you put an AM radio and a 8 track in a car and expect it to sound good?
I just get more satisfaction out of it when I accomplish it myself...that's all. :D