Engine What Aluminum Heads???

I

Iceman1998

Member
Mar 15, 2021
18
2
13
Ontario, Canada
#1
I have a Stock '88 5.0L and I've had to remove the E7 heads to replace a head gasket. While I'm this far I'm tossing the idea up of replacing the stock E7 heads with a set of Aluminum's.

Here is what the current set up is - Completely stock bottom, crank, cam, GT40 upper & lower, flowmasters, hi flow cat H-pipe, 3:73 gear

I am still running the smog pump and piping, and EGR valve and would like to keep it.

So what heads would be the best suited for my set up? Do all aluminum heads have the provisions for the smog pump tube to be reconnected and the provision for the EGR port in the head?

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
You get what you pay for.
That being said, you don't need the high $ heads either.
A quick search will find which heads are Emissions Legal. That will eliminate over 75% of the aluminum heads available.
Narrow your choice down from there.
 
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#3
#6
Yes.

Just know that the deck height on TFS head will put you 3/8 inch above stock. This can cause issues with some intakes. Choose valve covers and intakes with that in mind.
 
#9
I only brought up the TFS heads because they are smog legal (the 170cc ones) so they have all the smog ports and what not. And they weren't mentioned previously. I have run them before and they were great heads. They seem to be in line with AFR's as far as costs go.
 
#11
I’d go with the TFS170s

They are canted heads, which will offer the best PTV clearance with aggressive camshaft profiles without needed to notch the pistons.

They are smog legal. They have the provision for the EGR and air pump holes, although if you have no cats or high flow 2-cats you don’t need the head ports.

They are proven.

It’s what I have on my stock bottom end 88

IMG_8164.webp
 
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#12
Noobz347 said:
The AFR 185s are also smog legal. I think now, they even have a 190 with the ports.
Click to expand...
From what I'm seeing, there only smog legal 185 Ford head can't be used with stock pistons.

185CC SBF STREET CYLINDER HEAD​

Legal for 1995 and older emissions controlled vehicles under CARB EO #D-250-3. Not compatible with OEM pistons.

185cc SBF Street Cylinder Head

Cylinder Head Specialists
www.airflowresearch.com www.airflowresearch.com

But their 165 is.

165cc SBF Street Cylinder Head

Cylinder Head Specialists
www.airflowresearch.com www.airflowresearch.com
 
#13
#14
From the PDF file:

WARNING: PISTON DOME TO CYLINDER HEAD CLEARANCE MUSTBE CHECKED PRIOR TO FINAL ASSEMBLY OF ENGINE. PISTONMIGHT NEED CLEARANCE WITH AFR HEART SHAPED CHAMBER.

MUST BE CHECKED BEFORE ASSEMBLY, HEADS WITH 2.020”VALVES OR LARGER USUALLY WILL NOT FIT A PISTONWITHOUT VALVE NOTCHES HAVING PROPER RELIEFS.

NOTE: 1986 5.0L MUST HAVE PISTONS NOTCHED FORCLEARANCE. HIGH FLOW 2.020” OR LARGER VALVES MIGHTREQUIRE AFTERMARKET PISTONS, OR NOTCHED STOCK PISTONSFOR VALVE CLEARANCE.


It sounds like it is [close] on 87+ and of course... No go with 86 flat-tops.
 

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#15
Iceman1998 said:
I have a Stock '88 5.0L and I've had to remove the E7 heads to replace a head gasket. While I'm this far I'm tossing the idea up of replacing the stock E7 heads with a set of Aluminum's.

Here is what the current set up is - Completely stock bottom, crank, cam, GT40 upper & lower, flowmasters, hi flow cat H-pipe, 3:73 gear

I am still running the smog pump and piping, and EGR valve and would like to keep it.

So what heads would be the best suited for my set up? Do all aluminum heads have the provisions for the smog pump tube to be reconnected and the provision for the EGR port in the head?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
These are smog legal too. I might upgrade to these one day, my E7 heads and the rest of the car was built on a Wednesday, they still give good power with my 4.10 gears and she still takes off like a rocket.
 
Last edited:
#16
Blackhawkxx said:
From what I'm seeing, there only smog legal 185 Ford head can't be used with stock pistons.

​

Click to expand...
Sure they can.
If the camshaft does not have to much overlap or duration at the wrong time, they can easily be used.
They put the disclaimer of checking piston to valve clearance so people just don't put a big thumper cam in it and then wonder why they bent some valves.
Keep the LSA at 113/114
Keep the duration at .050 less than 235* and you should be golden.
There are a ton of cams that fall into that range.
You can have a .650 lift cam with 185 heads on stock pistons if the LSA and duration are kept in check.
It is not how much lift you have, it is when is the valve open in relation to the piston.
 
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