Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: Matt Moore (email redacted)

Hi Mustangers,

Thanks for the replies to my earlier post re: FAQs and esp. to "HiHoo
Silver!" who said, basically, ask anything you want because even though
the questions may be old the answers may be new. I read through the
archives yesterday and got a few answers but also several more questions.
I am new to the V8 Mustang world (I have restored a 66 Coupe/6cyl/auto)
and have just purchased a 69 Fastback/302/auto with several Mach I add-ons.
I'm going to ask a bunch of dumb questions but hopefully the answers that
you gurus give will help me and other newbies reading this list:

1. Cylinder Heads - I read somewhere that you can boost the compression
of a 302 by using 289 heads. Any 289 heads or just HiPos? How do you
identify HiPo heads (casting marks, numbers, valve size)? What are the
advantages/disadvantages of this? Also I recall reading that Boss 302
motors used a Cleaveland head. I this the same as the 351C head? What
are the differences between the 2V and 4V Cleaveland heads? What are
the differences between open and closed chamber heads? How do you
identify 351 heads? I think I saw something about a cylinder head
interchange spreadsheet. Where can I get one of these?

2. Main Caps - Someone mentioned a kit for 302s that would replace the
2 bolt main caps with 4 bolt caps. It required some minor machining
(for the extra bolt holes) and a line bore. Has anyone heard of this.
If so, who makes it?

3. Rear Ends - I am *really* confused here! I hear terms like Traction
Lock, Posi-Traction, Limited Slip, and Detroit Locker. Are they all the
same? If not, which are most desirable? I imagine a totally locked rear
wouldn't be that great for street use. What is a decent price to pay
for a 9" rear with a desirable gear ratio? Without a desirable ratio?
How do you identify various rear ends and ratios if they are out of the
car or if the number plate is missing?

4. Recommend Reading - OK, so maybe this question should have been first.
What books/magazines/articles/web sites do you folks recommend for
someone who has questions like the ones asked above?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

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Matt Moore N3LPH Bucks County Community College
E-mail: (email redacted) Swamp Road Newtown PA 18940
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Windows 95: A 32-bit patch for a 16-bit GUI shell running on top of an
8-bit operating system written for a 4-bit processor by a 2-bit company
who cannot stand 1 bit of competition.


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