Marine Forum

888 heads

jmoorepghpa

11 April 2007 23:56:30

Joined: 11 April 2007 23:55:38 | Posts: 1

I have a '76 mercruiser 888 which is a 302 block with 351w heads. Ford pulled the 351w heads off the assembly line and drilled them with 7/16 head bolt holes to fit the 302. The motor has what is basically a truck cam in it. The oem casting numbers are d5ae on the heads. They have the stud type adjustable rockers. Can I switch to a later model 302 head. I have heard that is good for a little more torque and the 302 heads flow better. If I use a later model 302 head that has the rocker studs will my rockers, pushrods and lifters that were used with the 351 head work? If I go to a 302 head that has the bolt down stamped rockers what lifters and pushrods should I get. The reason I'm going through all this is one of the oem d5ae heads cracked during the winter. Should I just get a rebuilt d5ae head, use the edelbrock washer kit to shim the head bolt holes down to 7/16 and get the other oem head rebuilt? Thanks for any help you can give me.

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" A smart man doesn't know all the answers--he knows where to look for them"

Re: 888 heads

Anonymous user

21 April 2007 21:12:41

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

hmm i see your problem

to save hassel and risking more damage i would say just to have the oem one rebuilt and if it cracks again then you know theres a fault with it, then maybe consider the 302.