Folks,
Is it true that later 223 heads are higher compression? How much? Also, how can you identify these higher compression heads? What applications had them?
Thanks,
Brett
'59 F100 223

 

Unfortunately you wont be able to do a head swap and gain anything. The block changed in 61 to 1/2" head bolts.
The 60 head had the same cr as the 59 but used a different valve cover.

Im guessing here but maybe Ford had head sealing problems since they werent into spending a penny if it wasnt necessary.

 

The chanbers are smaller on the later heads ( late 50's and on ). I wasn't aware of a head bolt change. If there was a change in '61, then look for a '57 to '59 head. They won't have any valve cover screw holes, as the valve cover is still held down with the two studs like the earlier ones. The chambers are kidney shaped and have a lot more quench area compare to the earlier chamber shape which kind of triangular.

 

Thanks for the info. In the event that the later head with 1/2" bolts is the hot ticket, can I drill and tap my '59 block to 1/2" to use the later head?
If not, could I mill my existing '59 head, and if so, how much?
Thanks again...
Brett

 

Im afraid my knowledge of 6 bangers is limited to before and after yours.
Why not swap in a later model and have all the advantages?

 

 

If you already have a '59 head, there isn't any reason to go any newer. That's about the pinnacle of performance for the 223 ( the word performance being used loosely ). They have around 8.6 to 1 compression. According to my books the highest hp rating was in '57/'58 with about 145 hp. Early 60's have a little less with 138 hp. My books have the hp numbers for car engines. I think trucks were usually advertised with 138 hp so may not have quite as high a compression ratio. You could mill your head for more compression, but in my experience 223's tend to ping a little with the compression they already have.