302 Heads Install

Engine, ignition, fuel, cooling, exhaust

Moderators: Ranchero50, DuckRyder

Post Reply
User avatar
jgf100
New Member
New Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:01 pm
Location: Greenville, SC

302 Heads Install

Post by jgf100 »

Hi all. I removed the heads off my Ford 302 W. This is the first time I attempted to do this type of work. My question is, do I need to remove the rockers to reinstall the heads? Can I torque down the head bolts with the rockers and pushrods in place?
Thanks!
'70 F100, 302 C4
User avatar
sargentrs
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 9866
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:30 am
Location: Georgia, Jasper

Re: 302 Heads Install

Post by sargentrs »

All I've ever done was loosen the rockers enough to swing them to the side and pull the push rods out. No need to remove the rockers but I wouldn't want to torque the heads down, upon initial install, with the push rods in and the rockers torqued down. Any minor variations even in head gasket thickness could make a substantial difference in rocker clearance. If you had the heads decked even more so.
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
User avatar
jgf100
New Member
New Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:01 pm
Location: Greenville, SC

Re: 302 Heads Install

Post by jgf100 »

sargentrs wrote:All I've ever done was loosen the rockers enough to swing them to the side and pull the push rods out. No need to remove the rockers but I wouldn't want to torque the heads down, upon initial install, with the push rods in and the rockers torqued down. Any minor variations even in head gasket thickness could make a substantial difference in rocker clearance. If you had the heads decked even more so.
Sounds good. Makes sense. Do you happen to know the correct process for bolting down rocker pedestals after installing head? Im guessing I need to bring cylinder to TDC on the compression stroke and bolt down the rockers on pushrod?
'70 F100, 302 C4
User avatar
sargentrs
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 9866
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:30 am
Location: Georgia, Jasper

Re: 302 Heads Install

Post by sargentrs »

Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
User avatar
jgf100
New Member
New Member
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:01 pm
Location: Greenville, SC

Re: 302 Heads Install

Post by jgf100 »

sargentrs wrote:This is a pretty good write up.
https://fordification.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47128
Awesome! Thats exactly what I needed. I will install heads hopefully this weekend. Thanks Again.
'70 F100, 302 C4
User avatar
sargentrs
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 9866
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:30 am
Location: Georgia, Jasper

Re: 302 Heads Install

Post by sargentrs »

:thup:
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
User avatar
basketcase0302
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 6805
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:11 am
Location: Hawthorne, Florida

Re: 302 Heads Install

Post by basketcase0302 »

That's a good write up on the 302 rocker "adjustment" Randy.
It's one of the main reasons I love the 302 rnghine family, (the ease of the positive stop valvetrain assembly). :thup:
Jeff
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=46251
SOLD-71 F-350 dually flatbed, 302 / .030 over V-8 with a "baby"C-6, B & M truckshifter, Dana70/4.11 ratio, intermittent wipers, tilt steering, full LED lighting on the flat bed, and no stereo yet (this way I can hear the rattles to diagnose)! SOLD!
Many Ford bumps / one 76' EB / and several dents through the years.
A lot of "oddball" Ford parts collected from working on them for 34 years now!
2008 Ford Escape 4 x 4
User avatar
sargentrs
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 9866
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:30 am
Location: Georgia, Jasper

Re: 302 Heads Install

Post by sargentrs »

I know, right! I was searching the web for good info or videos or something that would be related to our trucks then thought "Wait, let me search the forum!" Should have come here first. You want info on bump side trucks you go to Fordification.com! 8)
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
Post Reply