What should i do?(head related)

[95mustang_gt]

So my problem is running afr 185 heads on my 306. I got these heads with the planning of having the pistons notch. So the machine shop that was going to do this move the price from $150 to $450,I don’t feel like paying that much. So I was just thinking of selling them or trading for afr 165 heads or twisted wedge heads. So what do you guys think I should do?

Do the pistons have to be notch with twisted wedge heads or afr 165?

btw my intake is the eddy rpm 2

1)trade the heads for afr 165 or twisted wedge heads
2)get the pistons notch

Thanks
jesse

 

[95Vert]

Don't trade the heads, you'll regret it.

Why not notch the pistons yourself? Look up articles and research, research, research.

 

[95mustang_gt]

Don't trade the heads, you'll regret it.

Why not notch the pistons yourself? Look up articles and research, research, research.

thats what i have been doing for the last two days.Man i got a big headache from reading stuff today.lol

 

[95Vert]

It'll be worth it when you do it on your own and save $450.

 

[earleys94gt]

Don't trade the heads.

For the Twisted Wedge's you do have to notch the pistons too.

Notch the pistons yourself, there are some articles on www.fordmuscle.com if you need some more research.

 

[95mustang_gt]

Don't trade the heads.

For the Twisted Wedge's you do have to notch the pistons too.

Notch the pistons yourself, there are some articles on www.fordmuscle.com if you need some more research.

thank you


Should i degree the cam before i notch the pistons?Also can i do this with an adjustable pushrod checker?I only have stock pushrods.

 

[earleys94gt]

Degreeing the cam would be nice for some more power, but it's not necessary.

I would use a pushrod length checker to make sure you get the right length. You might get lucky and find out your stock ones are okay, but better safe then sorry.

Are you using pedastal or stud mount rockers?

 

[95mustang_gt]

Degreeing the cam would be nice for some more power, but it's not necessary.

I would use a pushrod length checker to make sure you get the right length. You might get lucky and find out your stock ones are okay, but better safe then sorry.

Are you using pedastal or stud mount rockers?

I will be using 1.6 stud mount rockers.

 

[earleys94gt]

I will be using 1.6 stud mount rockers.

That's good. This way you can adjust the lash, and have some "freeplay" on the pushrod length.

 

[95Vert]

Degreeing the cam would be nice for some more power, but it's not necessary.

I COMPLETELY disagree with that comment. What you are doing by not degreeing the cam is leaving power on the table. It'll still run but not to it's full potential.

 

[DDSTANG94]

I COMPLETELY disagree with that comment. What you are doing by not degreeing the cam is leaving power on the table. It'll still run but not to it's full potential.

 

[5spd GT]

Degreeing the camshaft will help, IF your camshaft is off to begin with.

When I installed my custom cam a few years ago, it was dead on.

Luck was on my side...

Degreeing more-or-less confirms if you are off or not. If you are off, make the adjustments necessary

Good Luck.

 

[5spd GT]

You can get a camshaft with valve timing events so it will clear, but I hate to see an engine being restricted by the radial of the valve on a 20* head being the reason for the camshaft.

You can not get 100% results this way, but it can work nicely if done right.

A 20* valve angled head with a 1.90" intake valve does give more radial clearance.

 

[95mustang_gt]

The cam i will be using is a custom ed curtis cam with a 526 in/526 ex with 1.6 rockers. Will a summit degree wheel work?

 

[95Vert]

Degreeing the camshaft will help, IF your camshaft is off to begin with.

When I installed my custom cam a few years ago, it was dead on.

Luck was on my side...

Degreeing more-or-less confirms if you are off or not. If you are off, make the adjustments necessary

Good Luck.

I think it has more to do with the cam designer than luck. When I got mine, it was also dead nuts on.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

I also wouldn't replace the 185's. You could remove the valves and use the heads as a guide to flycut the pistons yourself. You just set the depth you want to notch them, set the clamp, chuck it in a drill, and start cutting away. Check out this thread in 5.0 Tech for more info and a user testimonial about the Isky tool. Here's a link to the tool on Isky's website, too:
http://www.iskycams.com/iskycategory_search.php?sub_category_id=133

 

[5spd GT]

I think it has more to do with the cam designer than luck. When I got mine, it was also dead nuts on.

In my conversation with Jay, he told me that noone can guarantee a camshaft that is not off.

That is why he likes to "cam doctor" them

A Summit degree wheel will work. The larger, the better.

I really prefer an AFR 185cc head with some aftermarket pistons, so the valves are not a factor to work around. But, I agree with the other guys - I am not sure you want to get rid of them.

They can be useful now and later.

 

[95Vert]

In my conversation with Jay, he told me that noone can guarantee a camshaft that is not off.

That is why he likes to "cam doctor" them

You're absolutely right. He can't guarantee it and he always recommends for it to be degreed with the dr. but most of his cams are usually dead on, which is awesome!

 

[95mustang_gt]

which pushrod checker from summit should i get?

 

[5spd GT]

Depends on which cylinder head you get. The pushrod length on the TWs are about .500" longer on average.