i have asked many times about heads for the 5.8, and searched untill the button stuck ( lol ) -

the time for a rebuild in my truck is coming closer. It is not due to loss of performance, or mechanical problems. It is starting to leak a lot - from the pan and valve covers - i had planned on dooing the covers and adding some 1.7s but finding that the major leak is tha pan - pulling the motor is starting to look like a better option.


the truck is a 95 f250, 4x4, e40d, 4.10, 5.8 mass air -
i have installed a K&N open filter, 3" cat back with a 40 series flow, timing at 12 deg. - i have had the tranny built - buillit converter, kevlar clutchs, hd bands, etc. i also run amsoil in it

i know the heads suck, as dose the exhaust.

i was going to rebuild the short block with a minor overbore - .030-.040 - change to forged pistons - have the crank mico polished - balance it - align the cam / crank - just a minor built short block.

then i was thinking of runing AFR 185 heads - with some 1.7 rockers - port match the factory intake - run some 1 5/8 headers ( shorties as i have to smog it ) replace my 2 cats with one high flow ( leagal on pre obd2 im told )

and keep the factory cam - intake - TB -

are the heads to much for a basic stock lower and cam ? i like my powerband - but want a little more - i might add a KB 1.7 later - but with over 260k i cant justify it whenshe is worn and leaking - oh and my compression is 160 lowest and 177 high

what do ya think - 185s to much ? cam recomidations ? will the pistons need to be notched ?

 

185's are not too much head, but the Dart Iron Eagles will pretty well match them for a lot less $$. The stock cam leaves too much on the table too IMO, you can get into a mid to high 270 duration cam with 1/2" lift and not loose any low rpm power. Of course, that much airflow is well beyond the capacity of the stock intake and injectors so you'll need a tuner. There's also no need for forged pistons unless you plan on spraying or boosting this motor. If you don't want to get into the expense of a tuner, intake and larger injectors, I suggest GT40 heads with the stock intake and maybe 1.7 rockers on the stock cam.

 

it may be boosted in the future - with a kenne bell - hense the forged pistons and stock grind cam and 1.7s rockers -

i just didnt know if the heads are going to be to large for a stock cam - im not looking for 500 hp - but near 300

would this be a good combo for near 300 hp ?
185 heads - 1.7 rockers - headers with and opened up exhaust ?

i dont want to have to tune it and get larger injectors - just more flow that the factory ecm and mass air can handle - but if i must get it tuned i might as well stroke it to a 393 or 427

 

The stock heads will take you near 300HP with the right cam.. something like the 5.0HO bumpstick. The combo in my signature is pushing the stock injectors for all they're worth, and those AFR heads are an easy 100hp bolt-on, which of course means bigger injectors. Those heads are too much for the stock fuel system IMO.. even with the stock cam.