Need guru help (engine guru)

[Jmbronco]

Good evening folks,

I was dropping in a remanufactured 302 long block from S & J and ran into some trouble. S & J says it is a 66-74 ford 302. Well when I went to put in my spark plugs they were too small from my 73 302. I think I bought some that were one size larger which worked. Then when I filled radiator w water, water was pouring out of corner of head and intake (intake is for a 302) towards the back passenger side. I removed intake and put lots of RTV and bolted down. This time water leaked at the passenger back side and passenger front side. I'm pretty sure I used enough RTV. Could they have put 351 heads on this 302 and hence my intake not sealing well?

I am pretty anxious to drive my bronco but could use help. If I remove valve covers, is there a part number or stamp that would tell me it's a 351 head?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Madgyver]

What type of intake gaskets are you using?
Felpro has these thick intake gaskets available but like with any sealing surface it need to be prepped well to seal good.
Corners of intake are notorious to leakage. These area needs more attention when setting up RTV.

 

[broncnaz]

Most likely your old 73 302 wasnt a 73. 73's had the larger plugs. I believe it was 75 up that had the smaller plugs. No big deal.
Sounds like your intake may be warped I'd check it to make sure its not. also make sure you follow the proper pattern when torquing it down so it doesnt warp or cause leaks because one side is torqued down farther than the other.

 

[bluesbish]

look closely at your intake gaskets where they meat the head. I put an 86 351 intake on my 351 with 73 302 heads. I bought gaskets for a 351 and the coolant ports left a small gap around 1/32 of an inch on one end or the other. I caught the problem before I assembled it. I think I went back to the store and went through several intake gaskets till I found some that would work.

 

[maverickconner]

you can run 351 heads on your 302 without intake issues, that gets into valve vs cam issues.

1. I would take the intake off clean everything up, make sure there is no loose material or foreign bodies on the intake or top of the motor, then retry.

2. Understand that if your intake gasket is not matching the port holes or has a kink or bend in it then it will not seal. If the seal is upside down (I did this once) it will not seal.

3. Also, if you do not torque it down in order it will not seal.

4. Also, make sure the bolts are not stopping because they are too long or there is junk in the bolt hole.

 

[TwoDalesDad]

When you rush the assembly of an engine especially when working under the hood..it's easy to overlook gasket pieces and other debri that will hinder a tight sealing surface. I have personally been in your shoes.....many years back....even after being taught engine assembly/disassemblly in school. As for the bols used to hold things together...cleanliness here too is a critical step in reassemblly of the engine/manifold or whatever you are putting together....All the different pieces require the correct torque sequences...otherwise yes they may fit but leak due to the mating surfaces being uneven...I have made all of these same mistakes...Attention to the details will ensure a leak free great running Ford...

 

[Jmbronco]

Thanks everyone. I am so anxious to get my rig running! I think I may have rushed this and will get back to it in a couple weeks hopefully with success.

Fingers crossed!!!

Jeff