302 boss

[Southern_Pride]

How hard would it be to shove one in a box. I know putting the motor in should be cake but what about the exhaust? I think it would kickass even though they aint really a street motor.

[Freshmeat]

Shouldn't be any real trouble. Isn't it basically a 302W with 4-bolt mains?

[Southern_Pride]

Basically, but it has cleveland/modified heads on it.

[Fordman75]

You'd be looking at a pair of custom headers. You be much better off throwing some Cleveland heads on a 351W. The Boss 302 just doesn't make much low end torque and in a Panther you really need the torque to get it moving.

I've really considered building a Clevor in the past. It makes a wicked Windsor. But it does require some water passages to be modified, Custom pistons, a custom intake is required and custom headers will be needed. I can build a nice pair of 2V Cleveland heads for less cash then aftermarket Windsor heads. And now Edelbrock is producing aluminum Cleveland heads if you want an even wilder set up.

[Southern_Pride]

I was thinking it may a little cheaper this way. Probably not but it would still kick ass. I can get the heads for under 100 dollars a pair. I was thinkin a 302 may be easier to make headers for as well. I knew they didnt make a lot of low end torque but it would be nice in a highway cruiser. Mad passing power.

[Fordman75]

Without changing the pistons you'll have low compression and it will be doggier then your stock 302 on the bottom end. You'd be better off investing in a pair of aftermarket Windsor heads. The intake alone will cost you over $300. Then you'll need around $100-$150 worth of machine work done to the heads to use them on the 302 and you'll need to drill either 4 or 6 holes(I can double check if you want to know for sure ) in your engine block on the deck surface for coolant. Then you also need special headgaskets and push rods.

This is not a unbolt your stock heads and bolt on Cleveland heads swap. It takes some work and a bit of $$. That's why more people don't do it.

To make it worth doing you really need to start with a 351W.

[Southern_Pride]

If I get a 351W it would still need the same machine work though wouldnt it? I been thinking of picking up a 351W to build up anyhow and it will be a LONG, LONG time before I do anything anyway. Just thinking out loud here.

[Mercracer]

Budget Boss 302------Keith Black Pistons, factory Boss 302 Intake, Cleveland 2V /351M/400 heads....

[Fordman75]

The Windsor is a much better choice for a car that weighs as much as the CV/GM does. The 351W requires all the same work the 302 does to use Cleveland heads(except it requires a different intake ). But in the end you'll end up with a much stronger engine. And your box will be much happier!!

[Grand Marquis GT]

I'd just bolt a 4V cleavland in there...

[Southern_Pride]

I wanna keep the aod. It will be a long time before I bump something else to DD status. Plus a 4V cleveland isnt all that easy to find. If I was gonna do something like that Id drop my 300 in it.

[Mercracer]

I wanna keep the aod, If I was gonna do something like that Id drop my 300 in it.

AOD bolts right up to a Cleveland.
Why would you put in all of that effort of putting a 300 in just to have a slow car?

[Mercracer]

The Windsor is a much better choice for a car that weighs as much as the CV/GM does. The 351W requires all the same work the 302 does to use Cleveland heads(except it requires a different intake ). But in the end you'll end up with a much stronger engine. And your box will be much happier!!

We have people wetting themselves over a 302 HO swap. With the right cam, you can make even more torque with a 302 Clevor than a 302 HO. No one cares about torque at idle once you mash the pedal. You could use a set of adapter plates to bolt an Explorer 302 intake or any other 302 FI intake to a set of 2V Cleveland heads for $226.

[Fordman75]

Yes and for the same price you can do the same with a 351W and make even more torque/HP!

You definately want to stay away from the 4V Cleveland heads for street use!!

[Southern_Pride]

Where can I get these adapters at. I think Ill definitely go with a 302, cause I got one laying in the shed anyway that runs good. I know the block on it is solid.