I'm swapping from an Olds to a 460 Ford on my jet boat. I have a 1979 D9TE out of a motorhome, but the heads are D3VE's, and they need work. I found a set of D0VE heads for $300. I haven't seen them yet, but the guy who has them says that they do need a valve job. Just need a little input from you Ford guys to make sure this is a good deal. Thanks.

 

yes and no. there really no thing as just a simple valve job.

really depends on what shape the heads are in and how much work they will need. the DOVE heads normally didn't come with hardened seats so unless they where rebuilt sometime in the past will need to be installed to run on unleaded gas. also depending on what cam you have (stock or aftermarket) the springs will more then likely need to be replaced to match. also the DOVE heads use a totally different rocker arm setup then the D3 heads so unless the heads come with them, you will either have to source new ones or go with aftermarket rocker arms. the pushrods will more then likely also have to be changed as there is a slight difference in valve heights between these heads.

i would check around with some machine shops to get an estimate on totally rebuilding the heads first before making the purchase. by the time you look at purchase cost plus rebuild cost plus all the other costs, you might be better off buying some aftermarket heads like the Edelbrocks or TFS heads for close to the same cost.

rgds
Mike

 

Thanks Mike: I decided to wait on the DOVE heads and concentrate on getting my block and rotating assembly right. I think I will go ahead and get a valve job on the D3's and run them, and later on get something better. From what I can find out, the dove's don't flow all that much better than the D3's, they just raise the compression. I'm thinking about putting flat top pistons and putting those D3's back on. I would like at least 9:1 or 9.5:1. I'm not building a hot rod, just something that will stay together in a jet boat that I can add on to later.