255 Heads
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 8
From: Irvington USA
255 Heads
Short and sweet. Is there any market for these pigs? I have a pair and was wondering if they are worth trying to sell or are they better suited for doorstops? Is this a scrap metal piece? They are from 1980 I think.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 35
From: British Columbia
If they are good enough to bolt on and use, then someone might buy them.
They could also be useful to someone experimenting with high compression low rpm propane use, as they have quite small chambers. However they also have intake ports different from other small block heads so require the stock (aluminum) intake. And if one is searching for very small chamber heads, the old 260 and 221 heads would be better candidates since they bolt up to the regular intake manifolds.
They could also be useful to someone experimenting with high compression low rpm propane use, as they have quite small chambers. However they also have intake ports different from other small block heads so require the stock (aluminum) intake. And if one is searching for very small chamber heads, the old 260 and 221 heads would be better candidates since they bolt up to the regular intake manifolds.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 8
From: Irvington USA
I have the whole engine (I think) I removed one of them from the worn motor that was in my '79 F-100. It is not original to the truck. I'm not sure if the short block is a 255 or not. It has been rebuilt once before what ever it is. The heads would need to be re-worked.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Definately scrap metal. Ditto for the block (liteweight), crank (weak, prone to breakage) and pistons. The rods are the only thing in it worth anything, and even they're not worth more than scrap price (C8OE forgings, which were in production from late 1967 to sometime in 1990)
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 35
From: British Columbia
A friend had a 255 in his TBird when he got it. It made a very slight ticking sound under slight deceleration at highway speed, so he took off the oil pan to check it out. It turned out the number 7 rod had spun its bearing shell on the crank journal, grinding down the journal beyond where it would clean up at minimum regrind (.030" U/S).
So he put in a regular 302 with the 255 heads and intake until he got a cheap HO 5.0 to swap in. This is way better, but does use more fuel.
I'd save the timing cover and pump, oil pan, damper and flex plate (but label them as 255) and maybe even the crankshaft. It is the same as the 5.0 crankshaft or even a little lighter, so just right for that small displacement drag race engine.
I believe there was a time that the 255 block was desirable for some class of boat racing as it had a displacement limit of about that size. So maybe if you advertise it, someone will want it.
So he put in a regular 302 with the 255 heads and intake until he got a cheap HO 5.0 to swap in. This is way better, but does use more fuel.
I'd save the timing cover and pump, oil pan, damper and flex plate (but label them as 255) and maybe even the crankshaft. It is the same as the 5.0 crankshaft or even a little lighter, so just right for that small displacement drag race engine.
I believe there was a time that the 255 block was desirable for some class of boat racing as it had a displacement limit of about that size. So maybe if you advertise it, someone will want it.
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
The 255 crank had hollow throws and was prone to breaking in stock use. It's not the same as a 5.0 crank (of which that vintage was also prone to breakage). It's definately not a piece you'd want in any sort of performance application. The stroke is the same, the journals are the same, but it's not the same as a 5.0 crank.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 8
From: Irvington USA
I'm in Kentucky. We're about 50-55 miles west of Louisville. The crank is pretty bad in this thing. You could see the thing moving around while it was running. That is why I yanked the motor.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
It might already be broken. Did it have a knocking sound too ?
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 8
From: Irvington USA
Probably, but that was a long time ago. Haven't had it running for a while now. I think I'm gonna scrap this thing.....
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
There was something about the early 50 oz cranks that made them weaker. I've personally seen two of these early cranks break in stock, mildly driven vehicles, one my Mom's early 80's Lincoln Town car, one in a mid 80's F150, both had automatic transmissions. Neither was ever hot rodded. I wouldn't bother using any 5.0/255 motor or parts of 1980 to 1985 vintage. Weak cranks, lightweight blocks, pisspoor heads, there's just nothing redeming about these engines, other than maybe the aluminum 2 bbl intake, if I wanted to use a 2 bbl, but even then, try to remove one that's been sitting outdoors in the weather without breaking something.
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