i just took my head off my 300 cuz of and blown head gasket... and while i have it off i wanted to get some head work done to get some more power are do sumthing to the engine to get some more power out of her.....what kinnda head work should i get done...and about how much is this gonna cost i puttin some dual headers ontooo

 

I got my hedman header for $160.00 from summit racing. Machine work varies machine shop to machine shop.

 

First of all, while you have the head off, invest in some new lifters. Maybe even performance ones. This will prevent lifter noise later on. Check any bearings you come across and replace them. In an older engine, taking care of these things now can revitalise your engine, and make it run like new, as well as spare you some major headaches. I'd tell you to put in a performance camshaft, but since the I-6 doesn't have OHC, that would e out of your way.

 

He has already said he is on a Very limited budget. Pelican's advice is decent advice, and I would say that you'd do good to adheer to the first bit. Except for the last comment, Unless it is clarified.

Pelican said:
"I'd tell you to put in a performance camshaft, but since the I-6 doesn't have OHC, that would be out of your way."

Are you saying that the 240-300 I6 has no performance potential because it isn't OverHead Cam? If you are that is as dumb as saying the mopar 426 Hemi has no need for a large cam because it is not OHC. The 240-300 responds very well to larger Camshafts. Just as any other pushrod engine does. It does so with out all the problems associated with all the OHC and DOHC engines. Considering there are folks with 300's that run 7K and more RPMS for drag racing purposes, I would hope for some legit explanations. Or are you saying not to play with the cam because it isn't as easy to access as an Ohc I6? I just want to understand what you're saying here.

Please clarify...

 

J42385a,

No, Pelican was saying that it'd be a bother for the guy to replace the cam, as it's not OHC. In other words, the guy could pop in new lifters rather easy with the head off. If the I6 was running OHC, Pelican would suggest replacing the cam while you're that close to it, but since it's not OHC, the guy can skip that if he'd like.

Flip

 

If you got the head off the engine, I'ld go ahead and change the cam and lifters. Seriously you've already dissassembled 50% of the engine might as well swap out the cam for a one step up.

 

There ya go, jump up to an Isky 280!

 

Thanks Flip for clearing that up, I guess I am overly defensive because I recently built my 300 with lots of performance parts, and I have had countless people tell me it has little or no performance potential for lots of reasons. Sorry for jumping to conclusions.

If you get some head work done, like porting and polishing, and maybe Small Block Chevy Valves, you will need a larger cam to keep up with it. And a better intake and carb. Exhaust wouldn't hurt, but you said you are doing headers. Heck while you're at it, get better ignition, and some more compression, and it'll scream.

Best regards.

 

I can totally understand that ,

One thing that really factors in is is this truck a daily driver for me, my truck isn't...yet, so if I had the heads off, I'd be putting in a comp cam while in there. The guys who need it to putter to work next week may decide not to, dunno.

I think that the 300 is laughed at by a ton of folks, but that's only because they don't understand just what a gem it is. You can make it into a rather peppy little engine, that will out last it's 8 cyl. counterparts and give you reliabilty that they can't match(in general).

Keep fighting the good fight man!

Flip

 

Don't understand a darn thing you guys are rattling on about!
All I know, is that my new 300 (Jasper) with the stock Ford emissions has been passing people on the roads alot lately. I have no problem stomping on the gas and getting the truck from 35MPH to 65MPH on a back road to pass a slower vehicle. I bet if my truck was given some performance thing-a-ma-jigs, it could go alot faster. When a stock 300 truck is tuned up right, I would say it is very respectable.

 

I'v been considering getting some head work done on mine. If i get it ported and polished do i need a chip or can the air density do the work?

1995 I-6 5spd 4x4

 

I doubt the computer will act up with just a port & polish.

 

i would beg to disagree on that one sadly to say. I was looking in to doing some minor work to my 1988 efi motor also and was told by those that have moded a speed density 300 that it's not very happy with moded motors. They say it usually result in horrible gas mileage. I was told this on the fordsix forum by many people but, the only user name i can think of is fiorelli he put 19# injectors, 302 throttle body, bigger cam and worked the heads and told me he is working on his to get all the bugs out. Big problem is he doesn't post much anymore and is usually realy busy.

Back to the topic though i've been told by most that the speed density is only good for 10% over or underbuild from ware. Head work is a pretty good bit over 10% over build. Also if he ported the head as said before he would want a bigger cam and since he is efi bigger injectors and probably throttle body. This is just what i've heard nothing more but, a lot of it makes sense. i wouldn't fool with modding the efi motor out unless you have the money to do it correctly. It's pretty tough to get around reflashing your computer and dyno time or different computer and tweecer as other users have said. Just make sure you if you do and it works good for you post with how you liked the results!!!

 

was the 300 a mass air setup in 96?

 

yes. It was also EEC-V so you could probably find a programmer for it and get the bugs worked out for yourself.