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I have a question. I'm planning to use a set of C4AE heads for my 390, and I was wondering if I could actually bolt my truck headers to these heads, or if there would be bolt pattern problems? I have read about some problems with the bolt patterns from the passenger car 390 heads working with the truck headers. Will this combo work, or will I have to use C8AE-H or C6AE-R? Or would 390 GT heads work? Which one would be the best for a 390 putting out around 450 hp and turning about 2500-6500rpm, with about 10:1 compression?
Thanks, any help is appreciated.
What is the dash letter after C6AE head you are looking to install? my book said the dash A,G are High Performance 352/390ci in the 1964-1965 years. the dash F are from a High Performance 427ci medium riser with the same years. if you have the dash F, you will need a matching intake also. as far the exhaust side of your question, you have ether the straight up and down or the canted (angled) head. Ford made 3 different types - a 16 bolt, 14 bolt, and a 8 bolt. Trick1911
Hey Trick, quick question- ended up w/ a set of C1AE heads for my 410 mongrel. We compared them to a set of 390 GT heads in the shop and the '61's had a bigger intake port w/a flatter floor. Intake valves are also slightly larger and the casting looks cleaner,too. New guides and hardened seats are installed- picked them up for $400. What is your thoughts/opinions on these heads?
the C1AE head has a stock valve size 2.02 intake - 1.55 exhaust, the stock port size is 2.34x1.34 intake - 1.84x1.28 exhaust. as far as the chamber size stock is 71 - 74cc. these are considered High Performance heads for the 352/390ci built in 1961-63. I think you got a great deal if they are fresh and unused. I would have the heads cc'd, so you run into too high of a compression for pump gas.
They are freshly machined with new guides, hardened seats, full valve job, surfaced and all the exhaust valves are new. My short block is a D3TE (reverse 105) with a '67 vintage 428 crank/rod set (from a Marauder), with BK 'Sil-vo-lite' pistons (stock CR, .030 over), chrome moly rings, and a cam that works in the 1k-6k RPM range. The intake is an Edelbrock Performer RPM, a 750CFM carb and I'll have to use Sanderson shorty headers (coated) w/dual exhaust- truck is a 'Camper Special' w/dual tanks so long tube headers will not work. Should be a nice, torquey powertrain.