so I think i have found a set of reasonably priced 428 CJ heads (125 bucks). I know they will probably need to be polished and the seats will probably need to be hardened, but I was wondering if it is worth putting these heads on my truck. I have heard people say 70 HP with headers..which sounds worth it. However, im not sure i would have everything i need. wouldn't i need new valve springs and lifters or are they pretty much a straight swap?
I seriously doubt there's 70 HP in those heads, unless the rest of the engine has some pretty serious parts installed. On a stock 68+ truck lower end, that number would be much closer to 0hp....
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1980 F-150 300 I6, C6 & 9" rearend. The workhorse. 300K+
1974 F100 Ranger XLT 390, C6 3.25 axle. Dad bought it new, drove it over 500K. Now that he can no longer drive it came to me. Value: Priceless.
1983 Mazda RX7 1.1L Rotary. The show/autocross/toy. 231K
1995 Mazda B2300 (undercover Ford)
yeah, 125 is definitely cheap. I saw them on craigslist so i may go check them out. it's hard to believe it wouldn't add any horsepower though! that's hard to swallow. i always thought head work was the key to getting more hp because more air=more power. i do plan on eventually doing the 445 stroker kit..just when i have another vehicle to drive so i don't ride around in a 3 mpg beast. so i guess another question would be when i get the longer stroke would help me gain more power. and obviously a different piston type/
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If you believe in Global Warming, you're in the wrong forum.
On a modified engine, they will certainly make more power. But on a stock 68+ truck engine, the gain would be practically nothing, due to the low compression ratio and cam/cam timing. When the better heads would start to come into play, the rest of the engine is pretty much done making power.
If they are truly CJ heads, and aren't junk, $125/pair would be a bargain. Well worth the investment, if the 445 kit is in your plans.
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1980 F-150 300 I6, C6 & 9" rearend. The workhorse. 300K+
1974 F100 Ranger XLT 390, C6 3.25 axle. Dad bought it new, drove it over 500K. Now that he can no longer drive it came to me. Value: Priceless.
1983 Mazda RX7 1.1L Rotary. The show/autocross/toy. 231K
1995 Mazda B2300 (undercover Ford)
If you haven't put headers on yet than IMO do so. Just that one mod will make ya smile and save gas. Stock FE's can't breath and that's a fact Jack. But it don't take very much to wake them up some.
I have a free FE that needs a home. It runs fine with 40 plus oil pressure. I believe it to be a 390 but have not checked yet. It's an early one. PM me if any interest.
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85 XLT Bronco 351W HO 4V Dual Pipes 33X12.5 BFG's 62 Uni 390 C6 Custom Cab Not Yet Sold
4X4 Ranger XL 90 Auto Recently Rolled Back on the road again Don't just Modify it Fordify it
@rogue_wulff so do you think if i were to go ahead and put those heads on there, until i complete the rest of the build-up, that they would harm anything?
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If you believe in Global Warming, you're in the wrong forum.
@rogue_wulff so do you think if i were to go ahead and put those heads on there, until i complete the rest of the build-up, that they would harm anything?
If you simply need replacement heads, these would work. Just don't expect much gain from them, if the rest of the engine is still in factory spec. These heads yield the best gains from an engine that has a bit more compression, and much more aggressive cam profile than what a stock 68+ truck engine has to offer.
One thing that should be noted. Larger valves tend to hurt the low end a bit, with the trade-off being more on the upper end. Larger valves, combined with "smog-era" low CR and cam specs *could* result in dismal power where it's needed the most for a daily driver type engine.
On a built 445, it would be a different story indeed.
$125/pair for true CJ heads, even just bare castings, is a rather good deal. It would cost more than this to modify basic FE heads to near CJ specs (porting & valves), but it can be done.
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1980 F-150 300 I6, C6 & 9" rearend. The workhorse. 300K+
1974 F100 Ranger XLT 390, C6 3.25 axle. Dad bought it new, drove it over 500K. Now that he can no longer drive it came to me. Value: Priceless.
1983 Mazda RX7 1.1L Rotary. The show/autocross/toy. 231K
1995 Mazda B2300 (undercover Ford)
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