Head change?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,473
Likes: 2,009
From: North Texas
$1400 for some TrickFlow TWs is a decent deal still. The lower end/older heads few folks like for some reason, I like the Edels for cheap as a superior chamber design over GT40X. Systemax were pretty boss, I think Canfield cast them.
Some sellers at least have used stuff pressure tested, I do, and have hot tanked. Could always learn the basics on heads and try to find someone local to 'show you the ropes' if you will.
All the power is in the heads.
Some sellers at least have used stuff pressure tested, I do, and have hot tanked. Could always learn the basics on heads and try to find someone local to 'show you the ropes' if you will.
All the power is in the heads.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 994
Likes: 401
From: NE Ohio
Yes, there is that used head dilemma:
You can usually tell a set of junk heads from good with a little detective work - especially swap meet heads.
Just check condition/color of valves.
Look for deposits on the backside of the valves.
Remove a couple of springs so you can look at a couple of valve seats and wiggle the valves to check for excessive valve guide clearance.
Many times, the go-faster-racer-guy will simply be offing a pair of good heads to get something better.
Then there are the low-buck guys like my fellow race team members that hang on to the same thing for years, just because it works 'good enough!' Heck, my one buddy is using an ancient set of J302s! His car would go faster with better heads - and I've even offered him a set of my cast-offs that would be better, but he likes the way his car is now. That engine hasn't been apart for almost 18 years!
You can usually tell a set of junk heads from good with a little detective work - especially swap meet heads.
Just check condition/color of valves.
Look for deposits on the backside of the valves.
Remove a couple of springs so you can look at a couple of valve seats and wiggle the valves to check for excessive valve guide clearance.
Many times, the go-faster-racer-guy will simply be offing a pair of good heads to get something better.
Then there are the low-buck guys like my fellow race team members that hang on to the same thing for years, just because it works 'good enough!' Heck, my one buddy is using an ancient set of J302s! His car would go faster with better heads - and I've even offered him a set of my cast-offs that would be better, but he likes the way his car is now. That engine hasn't been apart for almost 18 years!
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