AFR Heads (Keith Craft vs. AFR Factory)

[Procharged87]

Does anyone know the main difference between the castings and what valvetrain Keith Craft is putting on the AFR 165s he sells and what AFR is using on the newest version of the 165s? I tried searching the forums for the answers but I could only find a few blurbs where people mentioned upgraded springs. As far as I can tell, they both appear to rated for .600 lift in the springs. AFR also mentions having lightweight 8mm valves on their webpage.

The most detail I can find on the Keith Craft set is this:
Manley 1.900 intake/1.600 exhaust valves
58cc or 61cc chambers
Set up complete for .600 lift hydraulic roller cam
stud mount
upgraded KCR springs
Comp Cams 10 degree retainers and locks
these flow 250/190 cfm

Just trying to determine what you are getting for your money.

Thanks,
Procharged87

 

[SMOKEDYA]

I've heard the AFR's have crappy valve guides and should be replaced when you get them, other then that thats all i've really heard bad about AFR's. I need to find out also cause i'll be buying heads soon also! peace



john

 

[5spd GT]

AFR quality is top-notch and there real track record shows it.

I would contact Keith Craft personally, via email or phone whether he has the older version or the newer version. That lightweight valvetrain is great. There are many positives to it.

They are very helpful. Talk to Tony! Keith is usually pretty busy.

He had a display of many of his cylinder heads at the Hot Rod Power Tour in LR, AR a few weeks back.

 

[Procharged87]

Yeah, I noticed that Keith's info says they are part number 1400 I believe and that they come in 58cc or 61 cc which would lead me to believe they may be older castings since I do not see a part #1400 on AFR's site and all of the 165s are 58cc now. I know in the past, AFR got knocked a little for the springs that came on the 165s. Since then, I believe that they not only have replaced the springs with better ones, but that they also redid much of the other valvetrain components like the lightweight valves (although I could be wrong on this). Problem is, I'm not really sure what comes on the AFR version now, and what comes on the Keith Craft version and how the two compare. While I have studied many of the components of a small block Ford over the years and know much about camshafts, EFI, etc., I will have to admit that I've never really focused on heads and valvetrain technology much and have normally used sets prior out of the box with some mild port cleanup and a relatively mild/moderate cam that did not stress the valvetrain a lot. Heads and valvetrain would definately be my weakest link in automotive knowledge, so I was hoping someone would have the full scoop on these.

I did email KCR and just ask about the differences, but this was all the detail I got:
"The CNC work is very similar but you will get better parts on the heads, these parts will be good for .600 lift. They charge an upgrade for the better springs."
Still somewhat confused since AFR says their springs are good to .600 also unless they just arent using a good grade of spring or something and KCR is. I guess I really want to know which set has the better springs, valves, guides, seats, retainers, etc. so that I buy the best option the first time.

 

[5spd GT]

Not all springs are made equal.

The valves and valve springs are lighter now from AFR. Edelbrock is the only one following this trend right now, but there cylinder head is more expensive than the AFR set.

The new AFR heads come with 8 mm valve stems (lighter) and a smaller diameter valve spring. This let's one use less spring pressure to control the valve, because of heavy inertia.

Here is the question you should ask.

"Does your AFR heads come with 11/32" valve stems or 8 mm valve stems?"

That will answer your question to whether they are using the new ones or the old ones.