YES, YES, YES!!!
They will fit!!! Most of the minor mods are shown above
1 You need new head bolts (or studs) with the spacers (1/2 to 7/16 inch)
2 You need the 351 intake gasket with the "L" shaped coolant holes though the Fel Pros cover both 302 and 351 with an insert in the coolant hole which I use
3 You should modify the pressed in rocker studs to 3/8" screw in type - super easy job, Pull the studs, then run a 7/16 taper then bottoming tap s-l-o-w-l-y. BBC studs fit then roller rockers are nice
4 Push rods "should" be the same, but they need checking, JIC
5 You need a set of new head gaskets - they are the same, 302/351.
6. You should make sure there isn't an EGR hump in the exhaust port. If so, a few hours with a die grinder fixes that (just leave the 1/4" hole and forget)
As far as soft valve seats, I personally never had a problem, but possibly a daily driver - or one running a computer controlled FI that tends to be leaner therefore hotter burning. With a carb, probably never have a problem. The valves, much bigger @1.84/1.54 (originals 1.78/1.45), the comb chamber, 60.4cc vs the original 69cc.
This is a mod that really helps a 302/5.0
Of course, if you can find a 5.0 Explorer with GT40P heads, your work is already done, but then there will be other, but minor problems
They will fit!!! Most of the minor mods are shown above
1 You need new head bolts (or studs) with the spacers (1/2 to 7/16 inch)
2 You need the 351 intake gasket with the "L" shaped coolant holes though the Fel Pros cover both 302 and 351 with an insert in the coolant hole which I use
3 You should modify the pressed in rocker studs to 3/8" screw in type - super easy job, Pull the studs, then run a 7/16 taper then bottoming tap s-l-o-w-l-y. BBC studs fit then roller rockers are nice
4 Push rods "should" be the same, but they need checking, JIC
5 You need a set of new head gaskets - they are the same, 302/351.
6. You should make sure there isn't an EGR hump in the exhaust port. If so, a few hours with a die grinder fixes that (just leave the 1/4" hole and forget)
As far as soft valve seats, I personally never had a problem, but possibly a daily driver - or one running a computer controlled FI that tends to be leaner therefore hotter burning. With a carb, probably never have a problem. The valves, much bigger @1.84/1.54 (originals 1.78/1.45), the comb chamber, 60.4cc vs the original 69cc.
This is a mod that really helps a 302/5.0
Of course, if you can find a 5.0 Explorer with GT40P heads, your work is already done, but then there will be other, but minor problems