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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Piston to head clearance??

  • Thread starter Thread starter backfocus
  • Start date Start date Mar 30, 2011

backfocus

Member
Sep 3, 2004
254
3
18
Little Rock, AR
Mar 30, 2011
#1
  • Mar 30, 2011
  • #1
I am looking at buying a slightly used short block that has twisted wedge cut pistons (dished). I will be keeping my current TFS High Port Heads which are not twisted wedge ( I was using cut flat tops). Does anyone know if the piston to head clearance will work with the two different styles? Or do I need to look for new pistons and get the setup rebalanced?
 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master
Nov 29, 1999
9,692
95
99
PA
Mar 31, 2011
#2
  • Mar 31, 2011
  • #2
Mike what is the exact set-up..... Are the piston dual relief or just the Twisted Wedge design??

The piston to head clearance "aka quench area" will be fine, but you may have piston to VALVE clearance issues which will require new pistons. Since your using a highport I assume its a healty set-up and you dont want to skimp on the cam profile just to make the set-up work.
 

backfocus

Member
Sep 3, 2004
254
3
18
Little Rock, AR
Mar 31, 2011
#3
  • Mar 31, 2011
  • #3
It looks like the pistons are dual relief Rick. They are Probe dished pistons (14.2cc). The short block is a 327 in a Dart Sportsman block.

I had my heads reworked this last year and had planned on putting them back on my stock block. But with my turbo plans, I am looking at different options as I fear I will be near the block limit. This is just going to be a weekend driver / show car, but I do plan to take it out on the strip on occasion with our car club.

As far as the setup, it would be the short block with the Kauffman/TFS heads. I have talked with you about these heads before, when I was trying to find out more about them, since they were made back in the early 90s. I have a GT40 ported lower and a the GT40 upper. I know the intake will be a hold back, but I like the look of it for the show car aspect and I would like more torque than horsepower. The cam will most likely be a customs by FTI. I am still working on the turbo, I have called Hellion a few times and have talked with them about something custom. I would be looking at only running 5 to 8 psi for the street setup.

I think just getting new pistons will probably be the best route.
 

Rick 91GT

Mustang Master
Nov 29, 1999
9,692
95
99
PA
Mar 31, 2011
#4
  • Mar 31, 2011
  • #4
Let me do a little digging for more info, I think I can help ya
 
S

stro270

New Member
Mar 14, 2011
7
0
0
Apr 1, 2011
#5
  • Apr 1, 2011
  • #5
Stick a thin layer of modeling clay on the top of one of the pistons bolt the head on push rods etc roll theengine over slowly by hand. remove the head and you will be able to see if you have the valve clearance needed..
 

backfocus

Member
Sep 3, 2004
254
3
18
Little Rock, AR
Apr 1, 2011
#6
  • Apr 1, 2011
  • #6
stro270 said:
Stick a thin layer of modeling clay on the top of one of the pistons bolt the head on push rods etc roll theengine over slowly by hand. remove the head and you will be able to see if you have the valve clearance needed..
Click to expand...

Thanks stro270, but I know how to do that and that is not what I asked. As I said I am looking at a slightly used block, which means it is not in my possession. The block has dished twisted wedge pistons and I don't have Twisted Wedge heads. I was just wondering is anyone had used dished twisted wedge pistons on a standard style head? Minding the fact the I have High Port heads.

Just needing to get a better idea about if I bought the motor how much more I would be spending to make it work for me.
 

backfocus

Member
Sep 3, 2004
254
3
18
Little Rock, AR
Apr 4, 2011
#7
  • Apr 4, 2011
  • #7
ttt
 
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