Free Horsepower for 440 Heads - Boss 302 Test Drive

[@johnnieguitar5724]

The photography angles and variety of shots just keeps getting better and better! Thanks guys!

[@NicksGarage]

We’re glad you like what you’re seeing. Thanks.

[@terrytro7171]

Great video Nick. 440 is my preferred street motor from Mopar along with the 340. Your videos are better than the car shows seen on television.

[@jodyandmichelle1]

69-70 Mustangs have to be the best looking years for Mustangs with 65-66 Fastback 2+2's as a close second. The Boss 302 is the king of them.

[@garymckee8857]

I'm a Chrysler man first but I love the sound of those solid lifters and the whine of the toploader and watching a master at work. Good video thanks.

[@LoneWolf-yp2mo]

Amen !! I'm a MOPAR guy also but always did like some of the Fords ... DEFINATELY a BOSS 302 !!

[@tomnekuda3818]

You stated exactly what I was thinking.......loved to see Nick boil the hides.

[@tomnekuda3818]

@vachief Amen....don't know how many times I burned my hands on some upswept exhaust manifolds....I'm an old geez and still have the scars.

[@tomnekuda3818]

@vachief I think that you are right. I had a Chev I raced with a 30/30 Duntov cam (If I remember correctly) and I would adjust the valves either with more or less clearance depending on whether the track was slick or hooking up.......of course, along with other factors. That aside, they sure made a wonderful sound.

[@garymckee8857]

@vachief you can't beat a roller.

[@bandagefreak]

It feels like I've been watching that Boss 302 sit still for an eternity in your garage, Nick - what a delight to see it in action after all this time. It's a beauty! :@D

[@txnetcop]

Hey Nick I owned a '70 Boss 302 and it was a sweetheart. I drove it from 1972 after I got out of the army until 1996 and it was as HOT as the day I bought from my buddy...wish I had it back! Great video thanks for the memories!

[@peteloomis8456]

This was a great episode I really like the in depth showing of the port clean up and blend work done on the head which I could watch all day long if I had the time to throw away lol ! You should keep doing more of these videos on this kind of thing such as setting up the valve spring heights or maybe even one on a 440 showing how to figure out the correct length push rods to use with aftermarket cylinder heads and roller rockers along with the proper way to shim the rockers so they are sitting in the middle of the valve stems ! Also I woul like to see more Dyno time on these engines coming into the shop which is always fun to watch then make a guess at what kind of HP it made just buy the way the engine runs and sounds when a pull is made ! Keep up the great work and videos Nick and the gang I appreciate seeing these every Monday morning to start off my day take care God bless from Wisconsin !

[@alexgolovchenko3791]

That was super fun to watch! Nick, you are like Dr. Nicktor Frankenstein with those 440 heads, real nice work... "It's Alive".... and you were like a teenager behind the wheel of that awesome Mustang! So much fun to watch "Nick's Garage"!

[@kevinbaird2332]

Those were 67 Non HP 915 heads. The Coronet R/T and the Plymouth GTX 440 HP motors also came with 915 heads but with 1.74 exhaust valves. In 68 the 906 came out and changed to the 1.74 for all motors but were open chamber version of the 915 HP head. Great job showing how to gain a bit more flow and HP.

[@rdsledge]

Thanks Nick

[@dwaynemurphy814]

Love seeing someone take pride in their work. Nice job.

[@captjim007]

"The Boss 302 wasn't built to drive in parking lots and I don't run it under 5000 rpms". That's a quote from Parnelli Jones to news reporters at Laguna Seca in 1970. The reporters were asking him if the Boss 302 had a disadvantage at low end. do to lack of torque because of the huge head ports. I remember it because I was there. And, yes he did win the race.

[@johnnyzonta5173]

Nick's Garage, what better can you ask for Monday morning having first cup of coffee and enjoying the episode

[@NicksGarage]

Enjoy your coffee, Mr Z. Good morning.

[@wheelie63]

ha ! same here ! i have it thru my stereo..........sounds so good.....shaking the kitchen ! thx Nick.

[@haydenshannon1772]

@@NicksGarage enjoy your Monday coffee to nick!

[@leeturner1838]

again the best car show on tv or net or you tube!!!!!!!!

[@azraelspectre9089]

What a great selection of muscle cars. My uncle worked for my dad, he owned a brand new 70 Olds ralley 350, 4 speed. I was 9 years old and drove that car many times. My uncle painted cars so I was his helper. And he liked to drink so I ended up driving him home alot. Sometimes we wouldn't leave the shop till the wee hours of the morning. I was driving my dad's 18 wheelers at about 7. I was a tall kid, 6 foot in the 6th grade. I towed cars and did service calls. I drove all kinds of stuff. But that rally was a very special car. I was exposed to drag racing at a very young age. I own 4 mopars today. Two 505 GTX s 69 and a 67. 14 srt core and an 85 4x4 ramcharger. I always loved the Plymouths. I sold a six pac 69 RR to a guy in Germany, he wanted it to run it on the Autobahn. He asked me how fast it was? I told him I didn't know, but I'd had it over 185 mph several times. It was a 4 speed car I put a 3:23 gear in it, which made it hard on clutches. But the topend was crazy. Ok Nick I've watched about all your videos. I'd like to see you build a stroked 440, out to 505 CID. I have two with Max wedge topends. I'd love to put one on your Dyno, but I'd hate to burn up your Dyno. Anyway love the content, keep up the good work lots of love from New Orleans!!!!

[@mikemontgomery4378]

sweet car.....very nice teaching video....great work....

[@Wreckedekcoupe]

Love that 1970 mustang. That color really sticks out. Man that's cool! The black leather interior, the shacker hood, 4 speed, and those rear window louvers! Me and my dad has a 67 fastback 427 4 speed, our next project is a 69 or 70 boss 302 just like this! After we finish our 64 ford falcon.

[@nathanthomasstickney8123]

You do all the work as if it were for yourself that's what makes you the best.

[@blinkie1523]

Thanks Nick for yet another awesome video, and finally the Boss is leaving the shop and sounding great also.

[@thebear3589]

My wife b4 we were married... Purchased a '65 Ford Fairlane SW..yes a station wagon...from a gentleman who used this car to pull his boat and carry the whole family on fishing trips. Hiding under the hood was a 70 Boss 302 rebuilt..the 'stang originally belonged to a guy I went to HS with...he had wrapped it around a tree and the gentleman purchased it from salvage just for the drivetrain..Talk about the ultimate sleeper...this was it...quiet dual exhaust...it would burn thru a set of rear tires in a NY minute...Ive always been a GM guy but I loved driving that wagon...I loved the look on people's faces when that ol wagon would go tearing by them...priceless

[@musclebone7875]

Beautiful Boss!

[@robertorhymes]

Nick has paid the cost to be the boss he's finessing the exhaust valves to prevent power loss Removing every design flaw so the customer can easily take it on a tour When it comes to extracting power Nick and the crew will always find more Mark's got a lovely car A Boss 302 Mustang A 1970 superstar Nick's testing it out You can see and hear what all the fuss is about Nick's Garage on Monday's Big shout out!

[@shanecloyd6646]

Growing up in Losantville IN, my best friends dad, his hobby was Tractor Pulling, his first mini rod he used a 300 in line 6 Ford, it had so much torque it couldn't go straight. He said if it had individual rear brakes, it would beat those V8 Chevys. He also used a built 289, it couldn't compete, then went to 460 Ford, and the very few other guys who also used Ford big blocks, couldn't compete against the Mouse or the Rat engines. So he finally went to Chevy and done very well. But one thing on all those engines he built, he never broke in the cam. Just ran those engines, flat out right out the git go.

[@steelydan42]

Nick's garage is awesome.👍👍

[@capriracer351]

I used to work on a couple Boss 302's for local people when I was doing a lot of outside car work to help fund my racing. They are beautiful cars. I do cringe though thinking about converting one of them over to Duraspark II electronic ignition about 1987. The customer wanted it and at that time these cars were not selling for umpteen hundreds of thousands of dollars. Used to do a LOT of Duraspark conversions back then for people and their 60's Ford Muscle Cars. The cars started much better and it was still factory Ford stuff. Much better than an HEI conversion.

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

(Man if I was young, I'm 56 now.) Because I always traded auto paint for mechanical work I never was a good tuner or motor guy but I know if it's running properly or not. If ,I was healthy ( I'm not ) I'd help out for lunch + coffee just to gain Nick's shop knowledge. I still have a older car a 68 Ford Thunderbird . I'd love to have my engine just cleaned up for better breathing + a mild cam.

[@ericball6000]

Dr. Nick, the start of my week is now better,thanx,and I like that art work in the video,very cool.

[@boostedmonza5023]

Awesome Nick. Another fantastic update love what you do!

[@socalfun64]

It makes me so happy when Nicks Garage is uploaded. I drop everything! Thanks!

[@DamianAriel717]

Awesome car!!! One of the best!!! Greetings Nick and crew!

[@nobodyspecial6436]

Kowalski looks like it’s itching to hit the road!!!! Can’t wait to see it roll down the road... Good to see the Mustang finally running too..

[@miked.5287]

Mornin nick..hope the weekend went well..winter wonderland here in AB..lol..have a great week!

[@NicksGarage]

Thanks Mike. Hopefully you’ll get some sun.

[@4460cows]

Way back in my muscle car cruising days or better stated nights, a local owned the exact same car what I loved about the Boss was the solid lifters cam shaft. Sounded fantastic. We never did race each other but would always chase each other around then wave goodbye for the night. My car had more horsepower and muscle from the factory but I still respected that Boss. Mine 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 350. First year and only car produced that year, with the introduction year of both the Camaro and the legendary 350. I still have my old Camaro and it is still all original. Has a few minor street wounds but that is to be expected after all the years. Cruising is nowadays just outlawed. A true era gone in America. Have enjoyed seeing that old Mustang in your shop for quite a long time now and it really brought back those memories of my younger wilder days.

[@jimjungle1397]

The 915 heads on the 1967 440's all had the newer port design with the matching taller intake manifold. The 1966 440 had 516 heads with a low rise intake and small AFB carb. The 1967 383 still had 516 heads. The 67 350 hp 440 had 1.60" exhaust valves and the 67 375 hp 440 had the larger 1.74" exhaust valves, but both had the same new intake. The 350 hp with a small Holley and the 375 hp with a large AFB on it.

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Jim. Thanks for the info.

[@wilecoyotefry]

Thanks Nick!

[@nativenation3296]

Another interesting improvement, nice work.

[@ernestdougherty3162]

A big thumbs up what a nice boss 302 another satisfied customer. Nick's garagedoing a great job keep up the good work all of y'all 💪👍👊

[@platec4798]

Every time I watch one of Nick's videos, I learn something! Thanks Nick! Plate C

[@scottb8175]

There were two original, genuine Boss 302 blocks sitting under my workbench for years when I was an automotive machinist back in the 90's. They had been my boss's (no pun intended) drag racing blocks in the shop's early years (along with his wife's 69 428 CJ Mach 1 and his 70 351C Mach 1, he had raced a 70 Boss 302 before destroying it in a crash) before he switched over to Ford Motorsport cast hi-nickel iron racing blocks and Yates Nascar aluminum high port heads in his new tube chassis car (a second hand former Pro-Stock Pinto). I asked him several times to sell those Boss blocks to me, but he said both had cracks, one even had a cracked cylinder, and he didn't want to sell them until he was sure he wasn't going to use them again. Many years later, long after I stopped working there, he sold the shop and all the inventory with it. The new owner, who is a Chevy racing guy that doesn't give a hoot about anything classic muscle car, rare or historic, immediately scrapped everything that wasn't GM! Those two Boss blocks, scores of 289 and 302's, some Cleveland, FE, and 385 series blocks and cranks, and, sorry Mopar guys, probably two dozen 383 and 440 HP blocks, and maybe 50 pairs of now rare Ford and Mopar head castings all went to the shredder. I damn near cried....

[@myfordranger]

been waiting to see that Boss back on the road. great job..

[@sargedutch1085]

Great video... It went by too quick... Nick you should start having engine building classes. People will come to you to learn. Your knowledge need to be passed on. My good friend was the engine manager for the Boss 429 program. Later some the lead engineer for the block design until he retired in the mid 90's. I bought 69 Mach One new it 1969.. Keep up the awesome videos.

[@crankysports]

Very nice video on this Monday. I love the boss 302

[@terencerucker3244]

Great seeing the Boss 302 out on the road converting gasoline to sweet engine noise! I think next to a big block Mopar with headers, it is my favorite engine sound. I want to give a shout-out to your videographer. I don't know if you have ever introduced him but his skill and artful work make your videos ever entertaining to watch. Well done.

[@Hot80s]

Seeing you driving down the streets with the boss it's like the Autumn of 1970 again, the color matches the leaves outside.

[@chrischiampo7647]

Nice Work as Always Nick n Crew and Great Video Work George 😊😎👍🏼

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

Great stuff Nick ! the simple explanations in layman’s terms , make this channel awesome 👌

[@NicksGarage]

Thanks. And thanks for watching, Duncan.

[@bennyjones1597]

Yeah that Boss 302 is one heck of a car and of course Nick you look great driving it your friend Benny from Detroit keep up the great work looks like that boss Scott the boss driving it

[@danboren6567]

I love the Boss Mustangs and I was wondering when you were going to get this one out of the garage and on the road again, great job!

[@bogiewheelman71]

I remember when my dad switched over from bias to radial tires when they came out . He said it steers like it has power steering . Our car never had power steering .

[@Welcometofacsistube]

I still have a set of Mopar Performance big block temp plates for porting heads from the 90’s

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Hal. Good stuff. They work well.

[@jeffreyrubish347]

Good morning from Wisconsin!

[@rickb9238]

The Boss 302’s were a really nice looking car and had decent performance too.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Well it's 5:00AM here in Kentucky....Time for me to go to bed...Thanks as always Nick...!

[@tomnekuda3818]

Years ago I ported a set of 429 Cobra Jet heads.....intakes were the size of storm sewers but the exhausts on the 429's were horrible in that they were "squeezed" into a very circuitous routing to clear Mustang shock towers..Ended up leading flow to the top of the port and greatly thinning the guides. Used Devcon F to fill in the "dead" area of the exhaust ports to keep flow velocity up. They really worked quite well for both torque and horsepower when I was done. I think I spent 3 weeks working only after my job and using a flow bench until I felt good about them. Ford should have either not put the 429 in the Mustang or redesigned the shock towers so the heads would not have been so compromised in the exhaust end. I would bet that the Mopar 440 heads flowed better untouched than my 429 heads did with all that work. Good video.

[@cobracharmer6178]

Tom Nekuda ; The Mustang Mach1 429cj was a 1 year only model and that was 1971. 1970-1971 Torino Cobras had 3 429's available: thunder jet, Cobra jet and Super Cobra jet "drag pack". For the 1971 Torino Cobra, a 351 hi po Cleveland was standard. 1968-1970, the 428cj and scj were optional in the Mustang GT/Mach1. 68-69, Torino GT optional. 69 Cobra standard, scj optional. Believe it or not, the shock towers in the 71-73 Mustang were redesign to hold the Boss 429. In 1975, I owned a 1970 Torino Cobra "drag pack" that had no problem beatin up on a Mopar or Chevy. I can only think you're trying to shoe horn a 429 in a 66 Mustang. Today, I own a 69 Cobra, and do agree the shock towers make it a tight fit for a 428.

[@tomnekuda3818]

@@cobracharmer6178 Thanks for the really great info. I've built a number of 385 series engines, usually in 460 configuration. Seems to me that the 429/460 do not get the attention that they deserve. Personally, I love them. My fave engine of all time is the Boss 302 engine and it ability to rev.....really sweet engines.

[@cobracharmer6178]

@@tomnekuda3818 ; The magazines Hot Nod, Car Crap, Popular Hot Nothing from the 70's to present day showed little if any interest in Ford or Mopar. But do check out the 71-73 Mustang shock towers. You could definitely drop a Boss 429 in.

[@Australia-ky7kx]

Nick makes it look easy but behind his relaxed calm is years of experience. Cast iron what real engines are made of.

[@NicksGarage]

Right on!

[@barryo9065]

@@NicksGarage Why aren't the 440 heads getting hardened steel exhaust seat inserts to handle unleaded fuel?

[@MikeJBlues]

Bad ass Boss

[@91rss]

love the 02's My friend has some parts from an boss 9 in his barn, huge ports in the heads

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Dang Nick knows a lot. I'm loving that boss mustang. My dream car is a 70 Mercury cougar eliminator boss 302.

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Erik. Cougar Eliminator, super rare and nice.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Yes they are, it would be cool to see one in your shop.

[@scottb8175]

I saw one (G-code 70 Cougar Eliminator, grabber orange) sitting outside an old closed down autoshop in Three Forks MT a few years ago. It was sitting outside next to another Cougar E, an M-code 351 4V 4-spd. Both were stripped, the power trains and interiors were out of the cars, but both had 31 spline 9" N case diffs still in place. A look through the shop's filthy windows indicated the rest of the cars, including what may have been both engines, were all there. The Boss car was obviously modified and used as a bracket drag car, probably for most of its existence, and the body was pretty rough and rusted. The 351 car was in much better shape. I'd bet they are still there..... I also knew of a sad looking but solid Boss 429 Mustang in Missoula, all in spray bomb grey primer with 70's style slotted aluminum wheels, which I hear still gets out and driven hard occasionally....

[@cobracharmer6178]

I think Nick is happy to see the Boss go. Considering how the little Boss 302 rattled his nerves on the dyno. snicker snicker :)

[@Roscoe_B]

Makes you wonder why the factory would leave the rough edges on the castings on a performance engine. Good job Nick.

[@79tazman]

Imagine Chrysler worrying about rough castings they were not building race cars they were daily drivers they are not going to go out of the way to port the heads or they would be building race engines not daily driver engines

[@Roscoe_B]

@@79tazman They went ''out of their way'' to increase valve diameter, cam lift, carbueration, aluminum intakes, compression ratios, ignition components, heavy duty trans and rear end etc.etc....not a stretch to suggest some mild porting.

[@steelassault262]

I was looking forward to seeing the Boss Mustang come back to life. I foresee many smile filled miles for the owner of that Mustang. I haven't seen Nick work on any Mercury Cougars. Was the Cougar not popular in Canada?

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Steel. Yes, there is a few Mercury Cougars in Canada. Not many.

[@joytube01]

Wow! That Boss 302 is gorgeous!

[@Luigi-pk8mk]

In July of 1969 I walked into my local Ford dealer (my best friend's dad was a shop foreman there) sat in a '69 Boss 302 with a 4 speed and a few options. Sticker was about $4600 if I can remember. I was only in 8th grade so....could only dream.....these did battle with the Camaro Z/28s with the Trans Am inspired 302.

[@bubbaluvv]

those who do, do...those who cant, teach... Nick is the exception, a do-er and a teacher...great work

[@stephenwilliams1364]

Nick you picked up and flipped that 440 head over for cleaning up like a Boss 😃 Great video and professional advice 👍 Thanks

[@marvin5620]

I spent a lot of time in an orange 70 Mach I Mustang 351 4 speed in high school my best friend had. And I had an orange 70 Dodge Challenger R/T 383 Magnum 4 speed. Fun fun times. I really miss those days.

[@johnnyhawkins43]

I can dig it!

[@DBSSTEELER]

I would like to see a before and after dyno to see how much improvement you made.

[@NicksGarage]

Interesting idea. Thanks.

[@thelasthallow]

@@NicksGarage yeah thats very interesting, lets have a look at what doing a simple cleanup to the exhaust port did. if its like 10HP or more then if people are going to have their heads off might as well do them on every one of them for some extra $$.

[@NITROUSnBIASPLYS]

Nick's Garage 🇨🇦 Yup would be a great episode to see a before and after dyno pull with the bigger exhaust valves, porting and port matching👍🏼 Like,Share & Subscribe

[@ZacLowing]

@T RopE ya know? I mean, he didn't do a valve job, so putting a bigger valve in just adds mass, lol. The actual seat where the valve sits didn't get bigger, so a bigger valve adds zero value. Before anyone points out he cleaned behind the valve, the seat is the mating surface that the vale seals on. If that stays the same size, airflow stays the same, N/A at least.

[@mr.rm250rodneylynn8]

@@thelasthallow good stuff! 👍

[@OldeCarrGuy]

Not a Mustang fan, especially from the 70's, but I can certainly appreciate American Muscle no mater what it is! Thanks Guys

[@dufus2273]

that boss sounds good.

[@dewightkey6975]

Thanks nick that was fast I cut my teeth on that engine and the 429 boss work with ford for 20 yrs in the hyperformence department still have all the books thanks

[@NITROUSnBIASPLYS]

Beautiful BOSS 302 Nick! 👍🏼🇨🇦

[@anteropaulino5151]

start your Monday with a loud Boss and turn up the volume LOL and with my stereo it was LOUD and CLEAR !!!

[@NicksGarage]

Nice!

[@MatthewClayton1]

The master at work. Nick is funny trying to keep his right foot out of it. Can't blame him.

[@recnepsgnitnarb6530]

Out of all the small blocks, I love the Boss 302 best. Shame they were only made for a couple years.

[@gristlepounder]

Nice to hear how he appreciates the car. I'm a Mopar guy also but love all old musclecars.

[@VG-iq8xq]

I’m a Chevy guy but I’ve always loved the Boss’s! I sure would be tempted to put power steering on this one.

[@sonyhk3824]

Nice 👍

[@edwardhasiak7961]

Another good video Nick! I'm always disappointed when it comes to an end.

[@robertlee9395]

Uncle Tony gave you a couple great shout outs last night on his live chat. He said he watches you to learn!

[@NicksGarage]

Uncle Tony has a great channel and is an excellent teacher.

[@jamesholland973]

Another great episode Nick. Thanks so much for doing this :)

[@mynameis9057]

Aww,that was over to quickly. Well,i guess some Nick is better than none! Thanks again guys, and please feel free to go as long as you want for show time, I know I'll watch every waking minute!▪☆☆☆¤

[@bdogjr7779]

Awesome Nick《☆》Bossman driving Boss302 :*: Nice verification on the posi rearend :*: Y'all have a good one🎃🤓☻🤠🎃

[@mattfarahsmillionmilelexus]

Cool, the boss in a Boss.

[@ProjectFairmont]

Solid cam quiet exhaust, nice.

[@charlest9884]

down here in Texas and THE US a stick shift is an anti theft device nobody can drive stick anymore lol

[@ChrisfromGeorgia]

Ain't that the truth! 😅

[@robertheinkel6225]

That 302 Mustang is gorgious! I still wish I never got rid of my 74 Dodge Dart Sport!

[@christopherpeterson1400]

Great camera work ...

[@stevenquere8243]

I love the new background music!

[@mfortin9403]

Merci Nick!!

[@junk250]

A friend of mine had a 1969 4 speed Chevy 302 boss Z28 , FORDS are OK but that Z-28 was a BEAST !

[@amc401nash6]

True, the 302 Z/28 was a better street engine due to the head flow and displacement being better matched. The Z/28 was also more successful in NHRA super stock racing in comparison to the Boss 302 although the Boss 302 Mustang did manage to win the 1970 Trans Am championship.

[@p.a.f.mitasol8071]

Great job on those valve seats Nick ...your so good with the rotary grinder, I'd happily save a trip to the dentist & let you work on my teeth 😁🤣✌🏾

[@NicksGarage]

Hah! Guess it is still ‘working on heads’ . 😀

[@p.a.f.mitasol8071]

@@NicksGarage 🤣✌🏾

[@randyoehlert9571]

One thing I don't like about this video. It's not my car. Nice Boss Mustang. Awesome

[@nathanthomasstickney8123]

Nice video nick

[@tjohnson9051]

After sitting for 25 years I was worried about how you were going to get the dead rubber off of the rear tires!

[@jayczyzyk9707]

Grear video great car

[@rusty6666]

Nice ride there nick....

[@vincentwitjes5106]

oh im still loving the v8 boss 302 soundtrack why have a-track stereo when u got a boss 302 with a v8

[@wilsolo1986]

Thumbs up, Awesome!

[@mcfast52]

Those Boss 302s have a pretty trick engin set-up in them thay can make a lot of HP!

[@zethloveless7238]

Not really they split at certain hp. But that’s more than this car would ever need