400 heads
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 583
Likes: 46
From: Utah
400 heads
So I finally talked the father in law out of his 79 F250 that he bought brand new. The 400m motor was rebuilt years ago, not a lot of mileage on it, just years. This fall I'm going to pull the motor and clean it up. Gaskets and what not. I've been reading like mad about Cleveland heads.
I know there are quality aluminum heads out there but the nostalgic side of me would love to have a set of iron 2v closed chamber heads on it. Reading says that the 1970 351C 2V heads are the way to go. I don't want to replace pistons at this point as I'm sure my boy will cause havoc on this motor when he starts driving anyway. But I want to bump the compression ratio up right now.
Are the iron heads worth it? Or am I going to be into them more than a new set of Trick Flows once they are done?
Thanks,
I know there are quality aluminum heads out there but the nostalgic side of me would love to have a set of iron 2v closed chamber heads on it. Reading says that the 1970 351C 2V heads are the way to go. I don't want to replace pistons at this point as I'm sure my boy will cause havoc on this motor when he starts driving anyway. But I want to bump the compression ratio up right now.
Are the iron heads worth it? Or am I going to be into them more than a new set of Trick Flows once they are done?
Thanks,
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 896
Likes: 55
From: Bothell
Closed chamber 2v heads are “Aussie” heads cause they were only avalible in Australia. You can get them but after you buy the heads then have them rebuilt you’ll be into them for almost as much as aluminum heads.
With that said... just putting closed chamber heads on a stock short block will not net you what you are looking for. You’ll get a bump in compression but because you will have no quench (stock piston too far below deck to get any quench). This will most likely lead to detonation (pinging) problems and cause you to have to run super unleaded.
The only way to do closed chamber heads (2v, 4v or aluminum) is to get pistons that match your heads.
With that said... just putting closed chamber heads on a stock short block will not net you what you are looking for. You’ll get a bump in compression but because you will have no quench (stock piston too far below deck to get any quench). This will most likely lead to detonation (pinging) problems and cause you to have to run super unleaded.
The only way to do closed chamber heads (2v, 4v or aluminum) is to get pistons that match your heads.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 111
From: southwest missouri
Ford 400 and 351M Performance Upgrades and Parts - FordMuscle there is another article in ford muscle you need to look for.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 101
From: North Idaho
Bleeds blue,
it it really depends on how much power you're looking to make. Even the later 400 heads with the huge water jacket around the exhaust valve are a decent head, probably good for 350 horsepower as-is. I'm sure over 400 is quite possible with a decent porting job.
it it really depends on how much power you're looking to make. Even the later 400 heads with the huge water jacket around the exhaust valve are a decent head, probably good for 350 horsepower as-is. I'm sure over 400 is quite possible with a decent porting job.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Gresham Oregon
Closed chamber 2v heads are “Aussie” heads cause they were only avalible in Australia. You can get them but after you buy the heads then have them rebuilt you’ll be into them for almost as much as aluminum heads.
With that said... just putting closed chamber heads on a stock short block will not net you what you are looking for. You’ll get a bump in compression but because you will have no quench (stock piston too far below deck to get any quench). This will most likely lead to detonation (pinging) problems and cause you to have to run super unleaded.
The only way to do closed chamber heads (2v, 4v or aluminum) is to get pistons that match your heads.
With that said... just putting closed chamber heads on a stock short block will not net you what you are looking for. You’ll get a bump in compression but because you will have no quench (stock piston too far below deck to get any quench). This will most likely lead to detonation (pinging) problems and cause you to have to run super unleaded.
The only way to do closed chamber heads (2v, 4v or aluminum) is to get pistons that match your heads.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 64
From: Billings, MT
They are good if you get them cheap. A little over 10:1 comp with stock pistons, no air ports. I'm about $350 into my set but got them cheap from a friend. If you are going to have $1,000 + in buying and building them just go aluminum.
or you can swap pistons for Tmeyer Keith black pistons for about 9.5:1 with stock heads.
or you can swap pistons for Tmeyer Keith black pistons for about 9.5:1 with stock heads.
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More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 512
Likes: 26
Your stock "M" heads will support 400hp from the flow bench results I have seen. There were no American 2V closed chamber heads. Period.
BY FAR your best move at this point is to pull the engine with its nearly new bores and trade the pistons for Tim Meyer's KB pistons. This will get your compression up and also get some squish into the chamber so it doesn't knock as readily. I know it fells like a waste to remove nearly new pistons, maybe you can find a buyer on Ebay. Doesn't matter. The TMI pistons kill two birds with one stone. For $440 and a gasket set you will have a much better engine.
The Aussie 2V heads have a pretty small chamber and without running the piston to within 0.040 of the head, you stand to have detonation problems. So with the Aussie heads or aluminum aftermarket heads you need new pistons anyway. If you decide to go this way, you will find that there are plenty of these heads already in the USA. They need a valve job and guides, most likely. Aluminum heads are around $1000 each except for the ProComps which you can buy an assembled pair for $1100.
Get to know Tim Meyer www.tmeyerinc.com
R.
BY FAR your best move at this point is to pull the engine with its nearly new bores and trade the pistons for Tim Meyer's KB pistons. This will get your compression up and also get some squish into the chamber so it doesn't knock as readily. I know it fells like a waste to remove nearly new pistons, maybe you can find a buyer on Ebay. Doesn't matter. The TMI pistons kill two birds with one stone. For $440 and a gasket set you will have a much better engine.
The Aussie 2V heads have a pretty small chamber and without running the piston to within 0.040 of the head, you stand to have detonation problems. So with the Aussie heads or aluminum aftermarket heads you need new pistons anyway. If you decide to go this way, you will find that there are plenty of these heads already in the USA. They need a valve job and guides, most likely. Aluminum heads are around $1000 each except for the ProComps which you can buy an assembled pair for $1100.
Get to know Tim Meyer www.tmeyerinc.com
R.
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