ive got a 79 rx with a blown motor and im going to swap in a 302 and was wondering if anyone here has done this swap and if so do you think i will be able to fit a set of 351 cleavland heads on my 302 or will i have clearance issuses with the headers ?

 

you shouldn't at all. Cause I have seen big block engines in fb's before, and FC's for that matter

 

yes you will have to make or modifiy the headers on the drivers side, unless you do a rack and pinion swap first

 

ya I had to take a hammer and a torch to my header on my driver side in order to make it fix into place. It isn't the best thing to do, but I mean it worked !

 

SO i AM finishing the motor install on my 1979 also and what headers did you use. grannys points out that the Lincoln MKIIV headers fit with out mods.. what are all you guys running..

 

I use BBK 1 3/4" long tubes on my 357w FB with modified #7 tube


I would recommend against using cleveland heads, these days you can get aftermarket sbf heads that flow way more then the good cleveland heads plus you don't have the hassle of making the heads fit (drilling) and then getting an intake to fit.

 

Yea i was wondering about that if would just be better to go with aftermarket heads
thanks for all the reply's on my question

 

what about 351 windsor heads..

just a question

 

i used grannys headers. custom fit long tubes FTW

 

what are you doing here if your not using a rotary http://www.v8rx7forum.com/

 

its called "other engine conversions" I think that would be open to anything bud

 

"what are you doing here if your not using a rotary "

This is the engine swap section of the forum. The real question is "What are YOU doing here. Go and bitch some where else.

Regarding the engine, it never occurred to me a set of Cleveland heads could be made to fit a 302. The 351 Windsor is basically a 302 with a higher deck, which make the engine wider and taller. I used a 302 and bought Edelbrock aluminum heads. One advantage of the aluminum heads is they transfer heat really well, so no problem with "pinging" - you can run regular gas. I am using 9.5 pistons and run regular with no problem.

I bought a cheap set of Hedmann headers, and my exhaust guy just had to turn down the collector near the end so the crossover pipe could pass in front of the torque converter. I am running 2 1/2 collectors, with a Y into a 3 inch. I had my headers ceramic coated inside and out, not cheap, but should give a long life. You will be very tight on space for a decent exhaust system unless you are willing to give up some ground clearance.

 

hes waiting around on this forum were theres only a hand full of guys that hang around after doing the engine swops, im just posting were he can go to for more and quicker help. im not bitching im building a conversion second gen also. but for anything he needs about that could be asked in the other forum. and if u dont kno me by now im strait forward with my typo if i need to tell u to get fucked i would. im just pointing him in a better direction for his conversion.. is there anything wrong ith that

 

NICE exahust sounds good. but the 351 vs 302 is correct, the windsor heads on the 351 are a better flowing (factory vs factory) head than a stock 302 head. but not as good as say a edelbrock head set. it used to be a hot rod trick in the 70's to install 351 windsor heads on a a 289-302 it bumped the compression ratio up a bit and has a smaller chamber and flows a bit better.

 

This is NOT advice on where to find more info, it is a definate comment stating he shouldn't be here without a rotary, and as stated this is the "Other engine conversions" section, either learn to use English in a less obnoxious manner or STFU. Oh and this is the "RX7 club" not the "rotary only, all others leave" club.

 

NICE exahust sounds good. but the 351 vs 302 is correct, the windsor heads on the 351 are a better flowing (factory vs factory) head than a stock 302 head. but not as good as say a edelbrock head set. it used to be a hot rod trick in the 70's to install 351 windsor heads on a a 289-302 it bumped the compression ratio up a bit and has a smaller chamber and flows a bit better.

 

pretty much the only good 351w heads are the D0OE heads, 60cc chambers 1.84/1.54 valves, still nothing special, heavy porting helps, but aluminum heads save 25lb's per side! and still flow better. I run Victor Jr's and I couldn't be happier

 

yes, I am saving my pennies for them as we speak.

 

Thought I would post this - got my car up on the lift in my garage today, cleaned things up a bit and even sprayed a little paint on things. You can see where the Y-pipe and the CAT have dragged on a few speed bumps, and my car is stock height, i.e., not lowered.

I am getting everything cleaned up as I plan to put this baby up for sale later this summer. It has really been a nice driver, and is especially good out on the highway. 20 years ago you could sometimes get out of uncomfortable situations on the freeway by putting on your brakes, but now you have to worry about the idiot behind you who is playing with his cell phone instead of driving his car. I often find it useful to be able to go from 40 to 70 in a flash without even shifting out of overdrive - it is all about torque, not just horsepower. Around town you just have to pay really close attention to your speed - the difference between 30 and 45 is about 1 second on the throttle. A car like this is probably not a good choice for someone who is only going to have one car unless you live in a very dry climate. It turns into a frisbee very easily in the rain.

 

NO DONT SELL YET, i STILL NEED TO DRIVE OUT AND SEE IT... HA HA HA