I just PMed Kevin so he should already know the story.

The white 86 below in sig, has a cheap mexico rebuild on it. Compression is good and I already replaced all the berings with good clevite brand. connecting rods were mixed and matched since I don't have 1-6 rods... I read 1-2-2-5-5-3 on my rods. This makes me wonder if the head was rebuilt what might be under the cover. I only had the cover off momentarily to change for new fel-pro valve cover gasket and didn't really look.

The 83 head pictured is off the origional 83 engine... It needs the works valves, rockers, valve guides, machined for screw in studs, etc, etc...

So for now, I'm going to put the P&P work on hold until I have the time to pull the other head on the "86" motor to see what I have there. Perhaps I have good valve guides, rockers, and valves which should make it worth my time to rebuild that one instead of the 83 head. However, I know the rebuilt "86" motor was purchased (mexico rebuild) and the origional 86 motor was turned in as a core so I can't guarentee that the head will be from an 86 pickup. The factory in Mexico that did the rebuild could have put a earlier head on it if that's what they had available...

Charlie,
Forgive my ignorance but would ped mount rockers mean that the studs are screw in and I wouldn't need the head machined for studs?

 

When I put a new head on my '81, it was an '84 head, but it was made for pedestal rockers. They're like this:








In the last picture, you can see the pedestals underneath each one.
The fulcrum in the rocker goes out the bottom of the rocker and is what bolts to the head.

Not my photo, and not a 300, but shows how the fulcrum goes through the rocker and sets the height.

 

So I gather the rocker height is adjustable so you could tighten a rocker if you develope a tick in the future... right?

 

No, like the style you currently have, they're non-adjustable. Its figured that if you start to develop a tick after many miles, your parts are wearing out and need to be replaced anyway (not compensated for).

 

Makes sense...

So I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that the ped-mount style are more desireable since they won't pull out under the extra stress the 260h will put on them. Thus the ped mount would be better for me than the older stud style (like my 83 pictured above).

Which if I am right above makes me wonder if the newer EFI engines have Ped-mount rockers??? Anyonw know?

 

I believe so, since they actually bolt down (like a screw in rocker) instead of the press-fit like your current ones. I really like them.
Also, the guy who worked on my head said they're a much better design and don't put stress on the components and wear itself out, like the older Ford style did. They're very rigid and have no lateral play at all.

 

good to know. Hopefully I'll pull the valve cover on the rebuilt motor that was in the white 86 parts truck and I'll have the ped-mounts. Either way... I am hoping the valves and valve guides, rocker arms, push rods etc... are all still in good conditon. It would probably save me a bundle of cash rebuilding a head with good parts and ped rockers instead of that old 83 head.

AB,
If you got a new head did you ever do or pay for P&P work? Or are you waiting from some extra cash flow like the rest of us...??? LOL

 

The one I found is the ONLY carb oriented pedestal mount head I've ever seen. Until then, I thought it was an EFI only kinda thing. Then again, its part number says it was made in '84, so there were at least a good 3 years they were made carb style. Best of luck on it.

 

Good to know. I guess we'll probably know by tomorrow if I have pedistals or not. I have tons to do this weekend. Grass needs the first mow, rear sway bar needs put on Thumper, need to change shocks/struts on my SUV, also need to fix Thumpers OP guage... Ugh... I hope I can at least get around to pulling the valve cover if not pull the head itself...

 

And 3 months later... LOL!

Well the summer has had me busy busy! I have been working 60hr weeks with not so much time to work on Ol' Girl but finally got around to pulling the valve cover on the 300 I6 that I had swaped over from the 86 parts truck. What do you know>?>?>? I have pedistal rockers! So no need for the expense of pedistals on the 83 head I already had cleaned and inspected. I lost $30 on that deal but now I know for the future.

I am excited to get this 86 head pulled, and off to the shop to be cleaned and inspected. I am hoping the PO of the parts truck had the entire engine rebuilt and not just a short block... It would be nice to NOT need a rebuild on the 86 head, so I could just: take it apart, do my p&p work, and reassemble for use...

So here's my questions guys!

1.) Should I have the head shaved a little to increase my compression for more HP?

2.) What head gaskets work the best? I didn't know if I could use a thinner head gasket instead of shaving the head or if there is a layered gasket that works well.?.?

 

If the head is slightly warped...You'll need to shave it anyways....2 in 1 deal....You get the CR bumped, and a nice straight head....

 

well obviously wes... Not to be an *** and I suppose I should have been more specific when I asked my question...

What compression ratio are we looking at with a stock 86 300 I6? how much can I shave and still be safe with clearances? and how much of a bump in compression are we looking at?

Anyone using a performance layered head gasket? I am only seeing 3 on Summit (2 felpros and a Mr. Gasket). I bought a seals and gasket kit (fel-pro brand) and didn't know if the felpro that comes in the gasket pack would be good enough??? any thoughts comments??? I also know that you can use layered gaskets to either reduce or increase the space between your head and deck (thus changing the CR)... anyone done this?

 

I personally wouldn't wanna go more than .010"-0.20"....Any large amounts, and you'll need to change the pushrods out...And thats even more expense.....

And as far as CR....I'd imagine it will be bumped up around 9:whateverish....Conanski is the man to talk to...

 

Yeah I know... he knows his 5.0 and 5.8 pretty much back to back but I don't think he's a 4.9 expert like F250, AB, wolf or other that have been specificly modifying these 4.9L's now forever... I'm sure Paul could give me a good idea though.

As for push rods. I might have to get some anyway as i havn't rolled my old ones on glass yet to see if they are straight. I have the 260H cam, lifter, and timing set... I am thinking I'll have to drain the engine and and cooling system and pull this 86 motor all over again though... Head, intake and cam are all going on soon and with the engine in the truck that's kind of a pain. I might pull my ZF-s542 and put it in this 1/2 ton too... we'll see...

 

Was that a better answer?