[olddog]

I have a book on different Windsor configurations ran on a dyno. I found a 302 with 165 and another with 185 heads. The 165 heads had a 212/216 cam and the 185 had a 224/228 duration cam with a bit more lift. As I said, it is hard to find a same cam like for like comparison, but I do not think the 224/228 is too much cam. That said, the 165 heads made more torque everywhere but the very peak >6000 rpm. Not a big difference, ~15 lb-ft down low. They had different intakes too, and that could have made the same difference.

Also the flow numbers, in that book showed better exhaust flow on the 165s and better intake flow on the 185s. The 165s a tad bit more compression.

As Brent suggested, if the plan is to stay 302-306 forever then go with the 165s. If you do plan to stroke it bigger later. go with the 185s, as you won't loose too much with the 302.