can you use aluminium heads and intake on a 302cid cast iron block

m rebuilding a 74 maverick too give it some more power I was thinking of putting a edlbrock top end kit on but im not sure if it would cause a chemical reaction or something like what some old guys told me can someone please help me clear this up

 

Yes you can use aluminum heads on an iron block. Car company's have been doing that for years.

 

Ok thanks I thought so because they put iron sleeves in aluminium blocks right?

 

...
most 302s that need rebuilt are changed out for a...5.0 roller...just a thought.

 

Like roller rocker arms lol

 

Your 74 block (should have a D4 cast into the side) has an extra .026" added to the deck height to lower the compression. You should check into having that cut off, or like Frank said, pick up a newer 5.0 block. Also, the Edelbrock cams are horrible, there's much better to be had for less money. The heads and intakes are ok.

 

The gaskets isolate the dissimilar metals, so it's not an issue.

 

I've had aluminum heads on my 331 for ten years now, so whatever you were told was wrong. You do need to use the right gaskets though. I went with Feplpro's 9333 expanded graphite head gaskets liberally sprayed with copper kote. Nary a problem after all these years. I used their "Performance" gaskets with the same heads on a roller 302 block the first time and blew a gasket after four months.. Don't recall the part number on that gasket, but it was their "print-o-seal" .039" gasket.

 

Ok its a 73 block my bad.now how newer should I go. That's good to know about those cams

 

I think 86 and up should get you what you're looking for. Be sure and check first though..as I'm not positive. I'm sure someone who knows more about it than I do will chime in though...when I was looking for one at first, they told me what I needed to look for.

 

Just build your '73. Get some AFR aluminum heads if your budget allows. At least get a 4-barrel aluminum intake manifold, a good carb, a performance cam, and dual exhaust, along with electronic ignition.

 

never knew of that...curious if you know approx how much this would lower ones compression?

 

That .026 equals about a quarter point in the ratio (just off the top of my head) The gasket is double that thickness, so it's like running a .065" head gasket

 

All the roller 302 blocks from 86-2001 are the same, there are several different casting numbers, but they're all equal in terms of iron content. Don't bother looking for one from a Stang, you'll just pay more for the same part. Same blocks were used in all applications from 86-2001.

 

Or just buy my heads and slap them on your engine with a four barrel intake.....
http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/289-302-351-windsor-heads-set.102040/