Hey there. I've got a 302 out of a mid 70's Ford F150 that I'm planning to put Aluminum heads on and have a few questions that I was hoping you experts could answer. The more I research the more I figure out that I know a lot less than I thought.

1. What is the max valve diameter (and appropriate lift) I can use and keep the flattop pistons? Stock intake is 1.90" (I think)

2. I've heard good things and bad things about ProComp heads but can't find much information on the web about them. Anyone out there have any first hand experience with these or know where I can find more information? From what I understand the company is based out of New Zealand so being in the US, I can't just call them up and ask questions, it's the middle of the night there. I'm specifically interested model number PC-3037.

3. regarding these procomp heads, Will they fit on my 70's block and does anyone know what intake valve size comes in this head and/or any other specs? I really can't find much specs on them, only this: 60cc combustion chamber and 190cc intake runner.

Any info would be much appreciated.

 

I guess I don't need to know the max valve size, more specifically, will a 2.055" or a 2.02" intake valve fit?

 

Do your pistons have valve reliefs in them now? If notm then you will need them for 2.02 or 2.055 valves. Anything over about .515 lift I would use the ole silly puddy to check valve clearence. A late model 5.0 has valve reliefs from the factory, but unless you use Trick Flow twisted wedge heads, 1.94 is the biggest intake valves that fit without further pistom modifications.

 

using the putty is huge but you also should know how far in the hole the flattops sit ie most are not zero clearance and are several thousanths down in.

I'd buy a book on building the ford small block and it should have a lot of the info that you need at your fingertips. Some folks have really dished the pro-comp heads but others have used them regularly with success.

 

thanks for the info guys. I have flat top pistons now and was hoping to keep them in the motor for time and money reasons. ProComp heads are dirt cheap and I've heard from a couple reputable sources that they're just as good as some of the more expensive brands - I just haven't been able to find any specs on them. I found some for sale on e-bay with 2.02" valves in them but was afraid they wouldn't fit - sounds like I was right. I sent an e-mail to ProComp, they said it is machined to use a 2.055" valve...

 

http://www.fordmuscle.com/forums/all...?word=pro+comp

 

That is seriously long post and spans like 2 years so I'll summarize. There is some scary sounding stuff in there that makes it sound like these ProComps are junk. Lots of talk about rod clearances and misalligned ports and such. I wonder if any of those manufacturing problems have been resolved as several of the posts were 1 - 2 years old.

As you keep reading though, the guys who actually USED the heads and didn't just benchrace them had good luck with them and said they made good power. My dad is a machinest and can do any machine work required on the heads so that part doesn't worry me too much. Now if i could just find out what valves go in the suckers I'd be all set.

 

I've seen them on Ebay complete with valves etc. as well as bare.I've seen them with both 2.02 and 2.055 intake valves, and two different available port volumes- 195cc and 210cc runners.

I bought a set of the 205cc/2.055 bare heads some time ago and have them awaiting a further project so I haven't really done much to them but get a little drool on them...although I wish now I'd gone for the smaller ports/valves. But I plan to use these on a turbocharged EFI engine so I can probably use all that port volume...

I believe the company is actually located in Austrailia so with this in mind I asked our Aussie admin BigF350 what he knew about them. He had no personal experience with them but said they have a good reputation down under. If you like, I can take some detailed photos of them to post, although that only gives you a good look at them without any real-world experiences with them.

 

i have heard good things about RHS and there prices are pretty good.

 

After some more looking, all the ones I've found have 2.02" or 2.055" intake valves. I haven't found one set using 1.94". Now I guess the question is, do I want to spend the money for new pistons to use these cheaper heads or buy some more expensive Dart heads but retain the flattop pistons.

 

You can use whatever pistons you like, you'll just have to have the reliefs flycut to match the valve size and location. I'm using forged flattop TRWs, I don't see any reason to have to change them. I'll most likely have to pull them back out to have them recut after I check them for clearance (once I finally order the valves.)

 

If you do buy some of the pro comp heads buy them bare..The valves and springs are poor quality(especially the ebay specials)..I would only buy them from someone who will accept returns if there are some major issues with them..It sounds like "if" you get a good set of castings and put some quality parts on them they can be a decent head...Having a machinist in the family will definetly be a bonus....As for the dart heads I have read they have a wierd spark plug angle that can cause real grief with doing plug changes with the exhaust installed...On the fordmuscle site they had to remove the headers to change the plugs!!There are too many other choices out there to put up with those kinds of hassles in my opinion..

 

I went for the ProComp 3037 bare heads off of e-bay so I could put the valves and springs I want in them. They're machined for 2.02" intake valves but I'll make 'em work some way or another. 530 bucks for bare aluminum heads shipped to my door - just can't beat that. Now, hopefully the old saying "you get what you pay for" doesn't apply here.

 

just an update. I got my ProComp-3037 heads yesterday - they sure are purdy (yes purdy - as in "you sure got a purdy mouth" - "Deliverance" 1975). Casting looks really good by my untrained eye. Hoping to have these on the motor and running in the next couple months. If I remember, I'll post back to this with more details.

 

Yeah, they are definitely purdy...

Mine are the 3002 heads. Haven't done anything with them yet, too many other projects in the way but I plan to work on them soon. I'd like to have the car back on the road this summer.