Ford Heads Explained

We look at the best and worst old school Windsor heads

Episode 150 Manic Mechanic

Small block 260 heads were 1.59 intake and 1.39 exhaust valve with 45cc chambers.

Early small block 289 Hi-Po heads were 1.67 intake and 1.39 exhaust with 49.2cc chambers.
Chamber size increased to 54.5cc sometime in 1963 with the C3OE-E casting. What makes these heads special are the screw in studs and built in guide plates for the mechanical cam. Otherwise, the early 289 head had a smaller combustion chamber at 49cc. Unless you are building a 289 Hi-Po there is little reason to get into a set of these heads. Ford kept the same combustion chamber size until 1967 when they bumped it up to 54.4. then again in 1968 when it went to a 63cc chamber.

The C9OE through D1OE heads
Long ago, there were no aftermarket heads. We took what Ford gave and we liked it...or not. So when we went looking for power it came in the form of the C9OE 351 Windsor head.1.84 intake and 1.54 exhaust valves along with a 60.4 chamber could add some power to a 1968 and newer 302. As things go, this is the head of choice...kinda

F1ZE “GT40” heads
These are almost as good as the C9OE heads...I say almost because the heads offer the 1.85 intake and 1.54 exhaust valves but a larger 66cc chamber. These were originally for OMC or marine applications but were moved into use as better breathing heads for the performance cars and the lightning.

F77E-AA GT40P heads
The GT40P head is a departure from the GT40. It has a slightly smaller 1.84 intake valve than the GT40 head. It does have one dark spot that is possibly an advantage or maybe a curse. For changed the spark plug position to help with fuel burn. This means that your stock manifolds and average 302-351 exhaust headers won’t fit without aggravation, Luckily here are headers out there that will help with the install.

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