Ford Racing Crate 363 - Headers

[pjdavis]

Hi Guys,

For those who have a Ford Racing 363 what did you do about headers. I have read that the long tube FFR headers for a 351 will work - also heard they won't. My concern is my car is mostly done - I painted late summer. I have the Ford Racing 302 and want more - so I am concerned about the exhaust cut outs in the body - any experience here?

Thanks

PJ

[68GT500MAN]

I am assuming that your crate 363 is a stroked 351. If that is the case, the FFR 4 into 4 headers will work with the standard cut outs in the body and side pipes. I have a 351 stroked to 427 and the exaust I described work fine for me.
Doug

[pjdavis]

I am assuming that your crate 363 is a stroked 351. If that is the case, the FFR 4 into 4 headers will work with the standard cut outs in the body and side pipes. I have a 351 stroked to 427 and the exaust I described work fine for me.
Doug

Hi Doug,

Now it is the Ford Racing Crate 363 500 HP - 302 stroked to 363. The issue is it has the new Z304 heads where the exhaust ports are 3/4 inch higher on the head. So that presents a problem. I currently have their 302 crate with the FFR BBK headers. The deck height is 8.2. Some have suggested the 351 headers - but the deck height is 9.5. If I take into account the angle of the block, plus the extra height while considering the 3/4 inch increase to the exhaust ports....My car is already painted so I am concern where the collector will exit with the 351 headers.

PJ

[MVRight]

PJ, you are an expert at fiberglass and painting - drop the engine in....little trimming, spray paint and you're done :p

Stroke your 302 to 331 or 347 will probably get you close to 500HP

[SCFFR]

Since the Z heads have the raised exhaust ports as you mentioned, I don't think regular 351 headers would work. Since the ports are raised, if you bolted a standard 351 header on the head, the top of the ports would stick above the header flange. When I had my 410W engine built, I made sure the heads had the ports in the standard location.

I think the folks who installed the Ford Racing 427 with the Z heads ran into this issue also. Research some posts for additional information. I think they had a vendor make a custom set. If so, these should fit your application.

[SCFFR]

Sorry, read the post again and realized you have a stroked 302, not 351 so your deck height is the same as the 302. You are right that because of the lower deck height, 351 headers won't work.

[OVCobra]

Did you fit the body openings to the 302 & headers before body & paint? Assuming that you did, the higher port location of the Z heads will move the headers up above the previous openings. You MAY be able to compensate with collector wedge plates but I have no direct experience. 351 headers would probable overcompensate and end up too low.
If you really want to step it up, may want to consider a Dart 363 short block (Summit Racing $5200) with your choice of standard port location heads, AFR 195 or 205, (Summit Racing $1900) or Edelbrock Victor Jr. (Summit Racing $1600), still leaves $1200 - $1500 (vs. Ford Racing 363) for valvetrain, pan etc.; pretty close to a wash. Dart block would be bulletproof! May also want to investigate having one built from forum supporters like Levy Racing. Dave