Boy, swapping heads sounded sooo easy, but heck I had one heck of a time lifting those cast Iron buggers out of the engine bay(I go to the chiropractor Friday). Now that Ive got it down to basically a short block Im having the internal struggle not to replace pistons bearings ect., ect.You know the drill, once your this far why not Blah, Blah, Blah. Well that's it, no big news, but I thought Id just give you the highlights of a day in the life of an arthritic old man that thinks he's still 30, Ha HA. I'm just going to clean things up a bit and reassemble with the new stuff, b4 I get too carried away. Oh yeah I found a lot of nuts and bolts that were once torqued now finger tight, something to keep in mind. Here's a pic of the fun, I'm really enjoying this, even with the sore fingers, sore back, heck and sore everything else.

 

How can you possibly consider swapping heads without a cam change

 

Hi BEAR, I already bought the matching cam and lifter kit, along with the matching intake & carb kit, plus timing chain. All these were as a complete set up to work together for the best low end power. The heads were just the last piece of the puzzle to complete the "Edelbrock Performer Series top end kit. The rest are already installed and don't have a lot of miles on them. Thanks for your input I always appreciate input , that's the only way I learn. Oh you got me, I just saw the rolling smile.

 

Jimmy
I wouldn't worry about the pistons and rods. Even though you are upgrading the top end, the bottom end was sound before you pulled it apart. So, high compression is not always what it's cracked up to be. You will have a good running engine with plenty of power that runs on pump gas - no detonation. Besides, some day, you may want a super charger which will work well with the lower compression.

Keep up the good work and take your time. There is no rush.

Keep us posted on the progress.

Take care

Dan

 

Way to go Jim. It's going to look awesome when you're done and feel great when you drive it. NEVER give up!

 

Hey Jimmy,
Hang in there ... you aren't old ... just coming into your prime!
Think how wise you are!

I was curious what you are expecting from your engine upgrades?
We are running an Edelbrock Top End Kit in our 351W - 400 hp is
a bit much for this old truck but we have our fun.

Looking good over there in Northern California Jimmy!

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

Hang in there Jim, we just finished sheetrockin' the house I'm building and I take Aleeve in the AM and at night when I get home. Not as young and spry as we used to be. They always say work smarter not harder, but sometimes...

 

I checked that kit out at Summit Racing for the 351w , dang expensive $ 4,100 and for me I have to add $.40 to the dollar shipping and taxes. Might be cheaper to buy a new truck...lol

 

Hey John,
Not quite that much... I'm cheap. I did their base package for 400hp/412 lbs torque .....currently on sale for $2500...

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2092

 

I'll have to check that out Ben..

 

Jim, the older you get the longer the projects take. Doesn't mean you cant do it, you just go slower now. Then there are the aches and pains that never happened before...

I told my doctor I have this pain I never had before, he said "You were never this old before"

Keep at it, you'll be happy when its done.

 

i feel the pain of getting older and getting things accomplished, i have three engines down and two of them started as a oil pan gasket change,, they turned into major projects

 

Thanks guys, I've got the will, Ive got the drive, and Ive got a mind that is stuck in the sixties. However the sixties seventies, and eighties took its toll on this old body. I got the gasket surfaces, and along with water passages and such cleaned up and the new heads setting in place, ready to be torqued and dressed up in there pretty new lifters and push rods. I even got the intake manifold cleaned up and contemplating hitting it with some clear coat??? But I cant hardly walk or stand up straight, hopefully tomorrows Chiropractor appointment will straighten me up a little. As to the HP gains I'm hoping for around 325, 350, but don't expect any miracles'. Ill feel a lot better no matter what, getting rid of those pressed in rocker studs, I never did really trust them. Well gang, I'm tired so Ill leave you with my sincere gratitude for your support, encouragement and a couple of pics to show I wasn't sleeping all day Still "ROCKING ON" just at a little slower pace. LOL

 

looks outstanding, i have no doubt you will hit your horse power goals, its been to cold here to go to the shop. i wish deer season would hurry up and end so i could get back to normal thinking and do as you have done getting things accomplished !!! more pictures of that creature your breathing life in please

 

Looking good Jim. I feel your pain because I also have a bad back and makes working on anything hard to do. It takes all day to do what I use to do all day. Hang in there