Okay. Finally getting around to installing these shorty headers onto my 94 F350. Pulled the one side to find two that broke off flush with the heads. The mobile mechanic I have working on it since I can't find the time (he comes reputable from friends) thinks the best route after looking at it is to pull off the heads and get them resurfaced and checked out so it will be easier and proper for him to get the broken bolts out. I also think this would be best as we can go ahead and replace the head gaskets and be sure of the heads/fitment since I am sure that prolonged exhaust leak did a little damage to the surface. He is taking it back to his shop (as in his garage shed thing he built on his land). Question is should I take the opportunity to get some GT40 heads? I am going to have to pay for machining and removal/installation anyways. I can't find much online or calling around local but I saw these on CL:

mustang foxbody aftermarket parts

What did everyone else pay for theirs? I wouldn't know a good deal if I saw one but $600 seems steep even with the rockers and cam. I don't want to get the GT40P heads since I am not ready to make the investment in long tube headers and a custom exhaust hence why I went with the shorties for now.

I may just stick with the stock heads and go with some 1.7 roller rockers.

Should I call this dude on these heads and check them out?

Truck I want to put them on is a 1994 F350 5.8L 351W.

Thanks everyone!

 

No advice? I am looking on eBay at the moment.

 

No advice other than do not spend too much money on used GT40 heads. They are well over-rated and over priced in many scenarios. On the other hand they are light years ahead of E7s.

Once you get past the $600 mark, aftermarket heads are a viable alternative. Do not sink a dime on those E7s.

 

If you can get the GT40s for $300 or so and they are truely bolt-on ready then it's a good buy IMO.

 

Thank you Gentlemen. No not finding any less then $300 that don't need a good bit of machine shop work. Okay so if I am rolling with the old heads. What about 1.7 roller rockers? Just a thought. Figure I might as well while he has it all apart. Or do you think its not with the $$$? truck only has just south of 100K. Putting shorties on it. want to liven it up in anyway I can while the heads are going to be at the shop.

 

Lets say I was willing to spend $600-$750 on heads. Any good heads you would suggest? I want to stick with cast iron.

I did just get a fat commission check....

 

AFR, TFS, World Products come to mind. Used heads ALWAYS come with a disclaimer....but any money spent is worthwhile over any factory head. I would not spend anything over $300 USD for GT40s because there are plenty of aftermarket heads that are more worthwhile, even for a mild build IMHO.

 

Okay Randy. Which one would you choose? 94 F350 so roller cam block. Not sure what stock compression ratio is. It was my dad's truck so not afraid to throw a little money/love at her. Has 99K. Want something that will last though hence why I am thinking iron heads. Not going to build the motor up much more than maybe an intake and long tubes/custom exhaust down the road.

 

Heck while were at it. What intake? Maybe I should go for everything in one swoop. I read the Typhoon is a rip off the edelbrock one?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Windsor-Sr-Cylinder-heads-world-products-/251990690805?autorefresh=true
What about these?

 

I'm no where near an expert but watch your port size. In a big truck like you have you need velocity to make low end torque. If you're considering a stroker sometime in the future then go all out but keep it in mind.

 

I decided now is not the time. I need more time to do research and find a good deal. I want to stick with this block until it gives out before anything stroker level. Going to have the machine shop check my stock E7 heads and see what they say. They should be decent. If its going to cost over X amount then I will re-assess but considering the truck was running okay before and they only have 99k I think I will be okay even with the prolonged exhaust leak and the recent overheat.

That said since everything is going to be all apart I just went on a spending spree and bought these:

https://www.race-mart.com/Edelbrock-EDE-3881.html

and this:

USED BBK Performance Twin 56mm Throttle Body 1987-96 (Ford F-Series 5.0/5.8L) U3501-E | Brothers Performance

Should help the engine breath better. Now just some long tubes and new exhaust down the road and a 460 or I6 intake snorkel (proving hard to find, if someone has one to sell me please PM me!) with my K&N drop in air filter I already bought. Still thinking about the 1.7 roller rockers..... then again I just spent close to $825 in parts on just the throttle body and intake and still need to buy the intake gaskets, head gaskets, smog delete pump pulley, and intake manifold bolts. Guy is charging me $500 for labor to pull the heads and install the headers and I still need to pay the machine shop. The extra from my fat commission check is now officially spent. Going to go ahead and have him do the smog delete and install this edelbrock intake and bbk throttle body. I am excited.

So I am about to have:
new head gaskets
resurfaced heads
bbk 56mm throttle body
edelbrock upper and lower intake
pacesetter shorty headers
smog delete

Should be easy to do the long tubes down the road as the machine shop will clean up the old broken manifold bolts and the header bolts I bought are the ARP stronger than grade 8 short bolts so it should be easy to remove those when the time comes.

I need to just buy a 351 roller block and slowly build up the engine and then just do an engine swap when the time comes. And when that time comes I will throw the old 351 into the bronco!

 

So just to be clear. No one on here thinks I should spend an extra dime on the E7 heads? No porting? No roller rockers? No nothing? If its not worth it then I won't. Just trying to squeeze what I can out of her. To be honest I have never been impressed with her pep and throttle response even when it was newer and running better. Trying to get it running right and then some before I sink money into the body. Suspension is done for now until I swap in some superduty leaf springs.

 

E7 heads are great... for anchoring a boat.
They suck as cylinder heads. I would not use them at all.

 

If you're really wanting to start with a decent block go with the W-based 351 Boss -- Ford uses a diesel grade iron ore that pushes the strength to over 45,000 psi --- well about the typical 351's stock strength of around 30,000

You can do many things with that as a foundation.

The heads (e.g GT40) talked about here are entry grade upgrades.