Help on Head Swap!!!!!!

latham83

New Member

Jul 24, 2003

496

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Dec 30, 2003

#1

• Dec 30, 2003

• #1

Hey alright im gonna need some help here....I'm going to be ordering some thumper heads..and i have my valve covers off already and the heads are ready to come right off soon...Now I realize that you have to remove the rockers, and pushrods from the heads to remove them...is that it? is there anythign else to it? And then all I would have to do with the new heads..is put the pushrods and rockers back on them in the same order.. correct? My question is should i buy new ones right away? or will these be ok yet to just reuse? i dont know to much about these or what to do look for so....theres is 165,000 on my car but compression test came up 155 perfect for all cylinders..so my rings and eveyrthing else are fine...i just need to konw what i should change or not while replacing the head assembly here..thanks guys

 

bmorrisj

Member

Sep 26, 2003

449

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17

Buena Park, CA

Dec 30, 2003

#2

• Dec 30, 2003

• #2

you dont have to remove the rockers, just loosen them and move them aside so you can grab the pushrods...less mess and clutter when yanking the heads

 

S

speed1972

Founding Member

Mar 13, 2002

891

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Denver, CO - Buckley AFB

Dec 30, 2003

#3

• Dec 30, 2003

• #3

165,000 miles is quite a bit, I'd inspect the rockers and pushrods for wear. If the rockers are worn, invest in a nice set of 1.6 roller rockers and while you are at it, get a nice cam and new timing chain to compliment the heads since you've taken the motor down this far...Larry

 

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goldbomb79

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Jun 4, 2003

374

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16

Indiana

Dec 30, 2003

#4

• Dec 30, 2003

• #4

yep, i'm with speed1972. i'd get a nice set of rr's and some hardened pushrods. and a cam and new timing chain and gears. and an intake too. but if money is an issue. check the rockers for wear. check the push rod ends for wear. if they are ok you can reuse them, but at like a dollar a pushrod for stock replacement ones I would atleast do that. as for the rockers man if you're gonna spend the cash on the heads go ahead and get the roller rockers now so you don't have to do it again later. oh and last but not least you only have to loosen the bolts on the rockers and move them to the side and pull out the pushrods. make sure you put them in the same place when reinstalling them with the new heads. and if you have time check your roller lifters while you're at it. i checked mine when i put my new h/c/i combo on and two of them had cracks in them. scared me. hope that helps

 

latham83

New Member

Jul 24, 2003

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Dec 30, 2003

#5

• Dec 30, 2003

• #5

I was gonna keep my stock cam in there...ive been told its actually got some performance in her...plus i have NO idea how to take that out..and im not lifting the engine to do that..seems like to much work i dunno...
1.6 roller rockers? i thought ppl were throwing 1.7's on there..what are the stock ones i have now? rollar?? how can u tell the dif..

 

90 lx convert

Stanger

Founding Member

Aug 13, 1999

926

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Falling Waters Wv.

Dec 30, 2003

#6

• Dec 30, 2003

• #6

If you're going to spend the $ for new rockers(I would) go with 1.7s you'll pick up a little lift over the stock lift. They'll get you 7-10hp more. Check your push rods for wear and roll them on a flat surface like a piece of glass or plate of steel if they're bent at all that'll show up. If they're all straight and look good use them. Spend a little more and buy good head gaskets instead of the $20 specials. Buy a new set of head bolts too. Mike

 

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goldbomb79

Member

Jun 4, 2003

374

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16

Indiana

Dec 30, 2003

#7

• Dec 30, 2003

• #7

yea, the stock cam is good for a mild build, and with the stock cam 1.7 rr's will work. and the stock ones you have now are just that STOCK. the have alot of friction and are the killer in the valvetrain movement. putting roller rockers will help free up horse power plus more lift will give you more horses. it will also help reduce heat. as for telling the difference. stock rockers are stamped out metal with a fulcrum in the middle. they should have a ford factory number stamped on each one of them. rr's usually have 1.6 or 1.7 or 1.72 stamped on them. oh and as for pulling the motor to put a cam in, you do'nt have to do that. you would just have to pull the radiator and condensor

 

T

TheUser

Active Member

Jul 25, 2003

1,859

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36

Springfield, MO

Dec 30, 2003

#8

• Dec 30, 2003

• #8

hey dude just wanna make sure you know you gotta pull the upper and lower intake before those heads come off. I'm changing gaskets now and I was trying to get my heads off last week w/o the intakes removed

I believe stock rockers are 1.6 ratio and they aren't roller. Roller helps reduce friction against the pushrods, which doesn't necessarily create more horsepower, but will free up used horsepower (like goldbomb said), and it also makes it easier on your engine.

 

thumper460

Founding Member

Jul 24, 2000

3,022

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56

Orange Park , Fl

Dec 30, 2003

#9

• Dec 30, 2003

• #9

Cool... what they said!! look at the rockers and see if there is a lot of wear, like gouges in the metal, if not you can reuse them ( they are 1.6), push rods... the same!! you dont need new pushrods unless the ends are showing signs of wear, if not... use them!! And by all means DONT SKIMP on head gaskets!! and head bolts!! And above is right!! after 165K the timing chain is way tired!! AND we all know with the heads and power your going to twist the sucker.... come on now, you know you will!! I would change the timing chain!! With most of the engine out of there already... add about 3 hrs and get the t/chain changed!! cool??

Just me.......................

Thumper

OOPS....PS ! the head gaskets have a front and back on them... make sure you locate the front marking and dont put them on backwards!! cool?? Tpr

 

IndyBlk5.0

New Member

Nov 24, 2003

1,122

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New Whiteland, IN

Dec 30, 2003

#10

• Dec 30, 2003

• #10

where at in indiana are you goldbomb79? indianapolis here stop 11 and 31

 

latham83

New Member

Jul 24, 2003

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Dec 30, 2003

#11

• Dec 30, 2003

• #11

ok im prob. gonna get new 1.7 rollar rockers then..and maybe pushrods if they are bad..and a timing chain..
where do u suggest buying this stuff for the cheapest price?? got ne links? i know there are a couple timing chains out there...

 

C

cmclean

Founding Member

Dec 18, 2000

243

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Houston, TX

Dec 30, 2003

#12

• Dec 30, 2003

• #12

You can get a good Cloyes double roller chain from O'Reilly's for around 50-60. You can get stock pushrods at any autoparts store, or order hardened ones from Summit or Jegs.

 

latham83

New Member

Jul 24, 2003

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Dec 30, 2003

#13

• Dec 30, 2003

• #13

whats O'reilllys?
also where can i get the best buy on 1.7 rollar rockers

 

latham83

New Member

Jul 24, 2003

496

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0

Dec 30, 2003

#14

• Dec 30, 2003

• #14

summit says i need "taller" valve covers when the 1.7 rockers are on...is that true? which ones should i buy..there are alot out there...whats the cheapest

 

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speed1972

Founding Member

Mar 13, 2002

891

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16

Denver, CO - Buckley AFB

Dec 31, 2003

#15

• Dec 31, 2003

• #15

i have scorpion roller rockers 1.72's on mine and they fit with the stock cam.. I had to shave some of the valve cover and remove the oil baffle but they fit perfect... Scorpion brand seem to be a fatter/bigger rocker so they may be the reason it rub w/o modification but they others should fit with no problem... just make sure you check them before you bolt the valve cover down...