AFR 185's on stock short block?

[95 stanger]

Is anyone running Airflow Research 185's on a stock short block? I have read that there may be piston clearance problems with the 2.02 valves. I just installed a Vortech V-2 and took out a head gasket on my otherwise stock longblock and want to install a 347 soon, but until then while I have the heads off I would like to throw on a set of heads that will work well on a 347. I thought I would just keep the stock cam in for now, but may stick a Trickflow Stage 1 or similiar in. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Green 94 5.0]

with the stock cam and 1.6 rockers, you MIGHT be able to get away with it. the only way to know for sure is to get the heads and check PTV clearance before you do the install. if you want the same valve sizes on a head that will clear the stock pistons you may want to look at the trickflow twisted wedge heads. you can run up to a .499/.510 cam on the stock pistons before the clearance is a problem. if the cnc machining isnt a big deal to you, that is a good option to consider.

 

[zenboy99]

With a stock cam you should be OK, if you go with a new cam just get a custom cam. I know of one guy who's running AFR-185's on a stock block and he has a custom cam. FTI and other places sell custom cams for $325 shipped, thats more then the TFS cam, but it will be a better cam and it will work.

 

[Killercanary]

VERY few people get away with it, and its not recommended that you try and put the 185 on a stock shortblock as the valve reliefs are too small in the stock piston. You can get the isky tool and flycut the piston. That's the only way I'd run 185's on a stock shortblock, its just too risky to do so any other way IMO. I do think they are the right choice for you if you are going with a 347 in the future though.

 

[sick_azz_cobra]

i have a stock bottom and afr 185s going with a steeda 19 cam with 1.72 rockers 516 lift but going through the same thing as you right now.

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

Are you dead set on the AFR 185's? Not trying to sway you one way or the other, but you could pick up the CNC Twisted Wedge heads that would work better with the stock pistons.

 

[Pennywise2]

AFR 165's will work just fine on your stock shortblock.

 

[Therian]

Flycut the pistons and increase airflow and you will get more performance out of the AFRs.