255 ford head swap.

uncle john 6645 · 10-25-2008, 10:51 AM

I know,don't say it. WHY? But will a set of 289 - 302 heads fit on this motor. Thanks

George [Red] GIVENS · 10-25-2008, 02:31 PM

I don't think so .I don't think intakes are same. May be more difference

goinbroke2 · 10-25-2008, 08:33 PM

I tore one down to look at as a possible combo. The chambers are smaller dia because the bore is only 3.68 instead of 4" and the intake ports are tiny. No wait that isn't making it clear about how tiny they are....hard to put your thumb into the intake port tiny! The runners in the intake are that small too. The 255 has a 3" stroke but picture a 302 crank that has been on a SERIOUS diet. Not sure of the weight difference but it's good. There is somebody running a 255 in a 80 or 81 mustang, a red one I think, it was in nitro joes stats.
In short, the comp jump from the small head would be negated by the tiny ports. (and valves too I think)

goinbroke2 · 10-25-2008, 08:36 PM

I never thought to actually answer the question LOL!! Yes they will physically bolt on!

I thought a neat motor for a light weight hot rod would be a 289 crank in a 255 block...240 cubes! v-8 sound and 6 cyl gas milage.

uncle john 6645 · 10-25-2008, 11:04 PM

I'm looking at building a bonnieville car and they have a 260ci class as well as a 305 so I just looking for combos. John

Fred Holdorf · 10-26-2008, 02:12 PM

In my opinion you would be better off running destroked 289/302. The 255" crank won't handle 6000+ rpms for 3 miles to the traps. Use the strongest rods you can find. With a 4" bore you can use heads with big valves, a must for high RPM power, and I don't believe they would clear the bore on a 3.68" bore block. Remember that engine is going to be winding up for 3 miles, not 1320 feet. I wish you luck and hope to see you on the record page.

Fred

uncle john 6645 · 10-27-2008, 09:44 AM

Thanks Fred, you said a lot of things I was also thinking, no HP parts. What combo would you use to build a DS motor? John

Fred Holdorf · 10-27-2008, 07:20 PM

By DS do you mean D/PRO, which is the stock body same engine family as factory, I.E 260/289/302/351 type motors? If I remember the record is 200+ MPH in D/PRO and that results in a long course run of 7 miles or so. To be competitive, if could get real expensive, real fast. If you live close enough try El Mirage (SCTA) as the records are lower, 7 or 8 meets a year and only 1.3 miles to the traps. Check out the SCTA/BNI web site for more current info as mine is 4 or 5 years old. My time has passed, (retired, no moola$), but I too have entertained dreams of going fast. Due partly to the fact there is no prize money, you will find some of the nicest people on earth running at B-Ville and El Mirage. Visit and ask questions. Good luck.

Fred

uncle john 6645 · 10-27-2008, 09:21 PM

Fred, money who's got money after the last few weeks, but I still got a little dreamer in me. The DS was for destroked motor. I'm looking a a "E" class motor for my 80 mustang and what body class is still up in the air. I'm also thinking El Mirage is a good place to start. thanks John

10-25-2008, 10:51 AM	#1
uncle john 6645 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 18 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	255 ford head swap. I know,don't say it. WHY? But will a set of 289 - 302 heads fit on this motor. Thanks

10-25-2008, 02:31 PM	#2
George [Red] GIVENS Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Morrow.Ga Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 255 ford head swap. I don't think so .I don't think intakes are same. May be more difference __________________ George [Red] Givens 2234 STK

10-25-2008, 08:33 PM	#3
goinbroke2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NS CANADA Posts: 871 Likes: 1,476 Liked 360 Times in 143 Posts	Re: 255 ford head swap. I tore one down to look at as a possible combo. The chambers are smaller dia because the bore is only 3.68 instead of 4" and the intake ports are tiny. No wait that isn't making it clear about how tiny they are....hard to put your thumb into the intake port tiny! The runners in the intake are that small too. The 255 has a 3" stroke but picture a 302 crank that has been on a SERIOUS diet. Not sure of the weight difference but it's good. There is somebody running a 255 in a 80 or 81 mustang, a red one I think, it was in nitro joes stats. In short, the comp jump from the small head would be negated by the tiny ports. (and valves too I think)

10-25-2008, 08:36 PM	#4
goinbroke2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NS CANADA Posts: 871 Likes: 1,476 Liked 360 Times in 143 Posts	Re: 255 ford head swap. I never thought to actually answer the question LOL!! Yes they will physically bolt on! I thought a neat motor for a light weight hot rod would be a 289 crank in a 255 block...240 cubes! v-8 sound and 6 cyl gas milage.

10-25-2008, 11:04 PM	#5
uncle john 6645 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 18 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 255 ford head swap. I'm looking at building a bonnieville car and they have a 260ci class as well as a 305 so I just looking for combos. John

10-26-2008, 02:12 PM	#6
Fred Holdorf Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minden, Nv Posts: 44 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 255 ford head swap. In my opinion you would be better off running destroked 289/302. The 255" crank won't handle 6000+ rpms for 3 miles to the traps. Use the strongest rods you can find. With a 4" bore you can use heads with big valves, a must for high RPM power, and I don't believe they would clear the bore on a 3.68" bore block. Remember that engine is going to be winding up for 3 miles, not 1320 feet. I wish you luck and hope to see you on the record page. Fred

10-27-2008, 09:44 AM	#7
uncle john 6645 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 18 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 255 ford head swap. Thanks Fred, you said a lot of things I was also thinking, no HP parts. What combo would you use to build a DS motor? John

10-27-2008, 07:20 PM	#8
Fred Holdorf Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minden, Nv Posts: 44 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 255 ford head swap. By DS do you mean D/PRO, which is the stock body same engine family as factory, I.E 260/289/302/351 type motors? If I remember the record is 200+ MPH in D/PRO and that results in a long course run of 7 miles or so. To be competitive, if could get real expensive, real fast. If you live close enough try El Mirage (SCTA) as the records are lower, 7 or 8 meets a year and only 1.3 miles to the traps. Check out the SCTA/BNI web site for more current info as mine is 4 or 5 years old. My time has passed, (retired, no moola$), but I too have entertained dreams of going fast. Due partly to the fact there is no prize money, you will find some of the nicest people on earth running at B-Ville and El Mirage. Visit and ask questions. Good luck. Fred

10-27-2008, 09:21 PM	#9
uncle john 6645 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 18 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 255 ford head swap. Fred, money who's got money after the last few weeks, but I still got a little dreamer in me. The DS was for destroked motor. I'm looking a a "E" class motor for my 80 mustang and what body class is still up in the air. I'm also thinking El Mirage is a good place to start. thanks John