Quick Head Question

BAD67FUN · Feb 17, 2004

Just wondering here.... I have a 67 with a 289. Would I have any problems if I were to decide to purchase a set of heads (example AFR185) to bolt on to my 289 and then, say five year down the road, decide to build a 351W and use these same heads? Will they bolt right up? I have no clue? What problems could I encounter? Thanks!!

mp67 · Feb 17, 2004

BAD67FUN said:
Just wondering here.... I have a 67 with a 289. Would I have any problems if I were to decide to purchase a set of heads (example AFR185) to bolt on to my 289 and then, say five year down the road, decide to build a 351W and use these same heads? Will they bolt right up? I have no clue? What problems could I encounter? Thanks!!

I believe the heads will work, cause I know people who have put 351 windsor heads on their 302's and 289's. The 351 has a taller and wider deck height so manifolds differ but heads bolt up. I'm about 99% sure so someone chime in and help my memory a bit.

2bav8 · Feb 17, 2004

Your valves will encounter the unfriendly confinds of your pistons if you install a 2.02 valve on a stock piston (with the exception of the TF heads). Also, while not a big deal the 289/302 uses a 7/16" head bolt while the 351 uses a 1/2" head bolt. AFR sells a washer just for this application...

Now, the AFR 165s would work fine with your 289, but would be a little small for a 351 though. And of course, those 185s on a stock 289 would make terrible low end power.

Edbert · Feb 17, 2004

You beat me to it 2B...those 185s are too large for the 289 alright. They'd sing a pretty song on the 351-408 though. You could use 165s on the 289 with a stout cam, and then have them worked a little bit for your next motor.

BAD67FUN · Feb 17, 2004

Or would it be better to just try and home port my stock iron heads? The issue is that I just don't know when I'd be able to build a 351W. And with 130K on the clock, I have no idea how long the 289 will last. It runs decent at the moment. Would the 165's be a bad investment if I were to plan on a 351W in the future. Aww crud, maybe I'll just keep the 289 and rebuild that with a stroker kit? Dang... I'm glad my plans for 2004 are just to build the axle and put discs on. So many tough decisions!!

LMan · Feb 17, 2004

you can always get benefit from porting, esp on the exh side of Ford stock heads. The other adv is that its free, just takes some time on your part and new gaskets.

Looking at your sig, my first priority would be to ditch the 2.79 gears. You can get a 3.55 chunk for ~100.00 and its a 45min swap, at the most.

Back to heads, you could get the 165s and sell them later when you get your 351. The market for those heads isnt going to collapse in the next ten years or so, so they would be a good investment.

SadbutTrue · Feb 17, 2004

Get the 165s, and if you get a 351... port them and use them again. Unless you're going to get near face value for them reselling them...

BAD67FUN · Feb 17, 2004

Thanks for the "heads up" guys. Yeah, that's lame. And yes, I'm going to be putting 3.73's and a PowerTrax locker in this spring also.

mdjay · Feb 17, 2004

BAD67FUN said:
Or would it be better to just try and home port my stock iron heads? The issue is that I just don't know when I'd be able to build a 351W. And with 130K on the clock, I have no idea how long the 289 will last. It runs decent at the moment. Would the 165's be a bad investment if I were to plan on a 351W in the future. Aww crud, maybe I'll just keep the 289 and rebuild that with a stroker kit? Dang... I'm glad my plans for 2004 are just to build the axle and put discs on. So many tough decisions!!

130k? Save your money on the heads and wait to build the motor you want. If you slap a new set on top of that motor you'll blow your rings in no time.

Quick Head Question

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