85 vs. 86 vs. 87> engines

[maverick0716]

I know my pistons are stock stlye and not aftermarket that's for sure. I just checked the part # on the pistons: Ford E4ZE-6110-SB

 

[Daggar]

Heya... if you've got them out, take a flat edge and run it across the top of the piston.

 

[dcarlson]

Maybe they did some split year funkyness or something.

There was a strike in 1985 that shut down production for a while. There were some minor changes in the cars built pre- and post strike. I don't know what all of the changes were. I just remember that there were some differences.

 

[MrKwik]

This is what every 87-93 5.0 I have torn down looked like....

See the "dished" area in the center of the piston? The ones in my 85 motor look the same as far as valve reliefs go but do not have the dish.

 

[Daggar]

Well... I'll be the first to say that I'm stumped fellahs. Those pistons in the pic above look ALLOT like what I remember from the 85 and I cannot recall specifically what the 89 had in it (wasn't paying that much attention). Rick91GT may be able to help out a bit more with what's what. If it were me and I ever planned on forced induction, I'd go ahead with the 85 pistons you've got (regardless of what they look like) and maybe shave the heads to get your final compression ratio to where you want it to be. With the 85 pistons you have.... Are they shorter than the 87+ slugs you have lying around?

 

[MrKwik]

Well... I'll be the first to say that I'm stumped fellahs. Those pistons in the pic above look ALLOT like what I remember from the 85 and I cannot recall specifically what the 89 had in it (wasn't paying that much attention). Rick91GT may be able to help out a bit more with what's what. If it were me and I ever planned on forced induction, I'd go ahead with the 85 pistons you've got (regardless of what they look like) and maybe shave the heads to get your final compression ratio to where you want it to be. With the 85 pistons you have.... Are they shorter than the 87+ slugs you have lying around?

What do you mean by shorter? Like further down in the hole or shorter skirts or what? Im definately going to use the 85 shortblock, including the pistons, one way or the other. Im basically just trying to figure out if the 85 shortblock and heads with the 87+ intake stuff is going to run lika an 87+ or more like the 86 motor. I wish I had an extra set of E7 heads lying around. The flat tops in the 85 block and the E7's would probably bump the compression a tad I imagine.

 

[maverick0716]

Yeah based on that picture, mine are definitly flat tops. There's no indentation in the pistons other then the 4 valve reliefs.

 

[maverick0716]

Heya... if you've got them out, take a flat edge and run it across the top of the piston.

Can't, I already bolted the new heads on.

 

[Daggar]

What do you mean by shorter?

Yeah like... how close does it come to being level with the deck at the top of the stroke? You've got my curiosity peaked now about what final compression might be with a set of E7s.

 

[MrKwik]

Yeah like... how close does it come to being level with the deck at the top of the stroke? You've got my curiosity peaked now about what final compression might be with a set of E7s.

Not sure on that one. Looks pretty darn even with the deck but I could ren a feeler under a straitedge I suppose to find out for sure. I dont have any 87+ motors taken apart right now to compare it to though.

 

[Wayne VanPatten]

The 87+ motors are better all around. The 85-86's had Cast pistons I belive, while the 87+ had forged. 86 pistons have clearance issues with any aftermarket head. E5 heads are about as good as E7's but from what I have heard the E7's with the exaust "heat riser" bumps ground down are far better. 86 heads not only are restrictive, but the valves are shrowded, best viewed form inside a recycling bin. The 87+ intake with with the ported lower rivals the cobra intake.

 

[86HO5.0]

This thread is old enough to have a beer....