A few weeks back I traded for a parts car with a 302 in it. I want to spruce it up a bit. I want it to sound good, and have a little bit extra pep than normal. I have no desire for hardcore drag racing. Just a peppy street car. So far here is what I got with it. I have a '76 302 block with lo-po 289 heads. The pistons seem to be the low compression smoggers as well. Block code: D4DE-6015-BA 6c2 Head codes: 3A 289 C80E 1A 289 C80 I have a Holley 4160 600cfm, Edelbrock RPM Performer intake, headers and an HEI distributor that I don't know the brand of yet. It's not labeled. I don't know what kind of cam is in it yet. I still need to get that out to take a look. I think I may go with GT40P heads to offset the low compression 289 heads that are on there now. (Regardless of the header troubles) With that being said, is there anything else I HAVE to do when putting on those different heads? Could I keep everything else like it was and just add the heads? What about push rods, rocker arms and all that good stuff? I would like rollers, but what are the pros and cons? What about the distributor, will it match up to this setup I want to switch to? I am just trying to get all my ducks in a row. Thanks.
I wouldn't mess with it. You have a decent intake, decent carb, and good exhaust. Maybe bump the cam up a bit (convert to roller if you have the parts!!!) , but you can make decent peppy power with lo-compression. By all means, new heads if you have the cash, but I am sure you would enjoy the car without it. Just shave .020 or so off the bottoms of your current heads if you want a touch more compression, and use a thinner head gasket???
I appreciate that info. I always like having meaningful conversations and getting other peoples opinions based on experiences I have yet to go through. I found a good deal on some GT40P's on Ebay. $427 shipped, rebuilt and inspected by a respectable company. I was just wondering what the difference in hp/torque would be with those heads compared to my current ones?
GT40P are a major hassle. I gave mine away after years of messing with them. Don't need them, anyway, without way more cam. Get a set of e7 or GT40 (non-P) heads. Trust me. Do a search with my name and "GT40P" and see how much of my post-count came from those heads. Here is issue #1... http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=18214
Hmm. With my current headers I had on and 289 heads, it was just about the same clearance. Took me forever to get the plugs out it seemed. I don't really mind that if those heads can give me a little extra.
Assuming good intake and exhaust system, heads are the one thing that will add a easy 50 hp, as most stock Ford small block pieces suck(well really they don't suck enough)... When I ran the 5.0 in my T-Bird, the difference in performance for the Twisted Wedges was night and day, felt like a 351 compared to a stock 5.0 heads... Now if I were considering over $400 for iron heads, I'd just go ahead and get a set of the Pro Comp alum...
You may not be able to see it clearly from the pictures, but those plugs are not "close" to the headers. They are ON the headers. Even with shorty plugs, I burned through the boots. Even using a second header flange, and two multi-layered gaskets. I am trying to save you a headache here. Please research the P heads before you try to use them on your maverick. They are NOT worth the hassle. Find non-P GT40 heads and you will be fine. I am running those now, and notice no difference from the P heads, other than I CAN GET TO ALL MY SPARK PLUGS!!! without taking the engine off the mounts, jacking it up, removing the header, etc.
Ahh, I see what you are saying. I'll call that company and see if they have the non-P's available. Might even get them cheaper.
So far I'm not a fan of aluminum. There is just something about that old iron I like. Or it could be because I've never had aluminum heads on a v8. I've always dealt with imports and didn't care for all the aluminum stuff.
Leave the engine alone and put better gears in the rear end.(3.55s') Then put your headsers/intake and carb in place and you will be quite happy for a while. Definitely stay away from the GT 40 Ps' on a maverick.
Yeah, after seeing those pics a second time and realizing, I believe I'll pass. Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to get a gasket kit for it this weekend. I'm glad I decided to strip it all down and inspect everything. It had a few things wrong with it: Blown head gasket Bad oil pan gasket Didn't even have intake gaskets (except for a bead of caulking..) 2 oil pump rods dropped in the oil pan
I wonder what made the one oil pump driveshaft twist like that? Where was the bead of caulk, at the front and back rails? If so, that's fine. You don't want to do that where the intake meets the heads though!
No idea, been wondering that myself as well. There was two in the bottom. The one that is still with the pump looks to be fine. It's hard telling. Just glad I took it all apart.
