170 HEAD MODS

[Anonymous]

I haven't been around lately because my internet connection is so terrible out here in the sticks. I don't know what you guys are doing to the little sixes now for more power, but I wanted to let you know about my little project. I got a head from a '64 Econoline (144 I think) and cut the intake manifold off, that was tough. Then I welded on some real short pieces of 1" sch 40 steel pipe with threads sticking out so I could put a 3 piece union on each intake runner. Then my brother and I fabbed our own intake manifold with more 1" pipe. I guess it would be a single plane to an open plenum under the carb. The carb I got is a Rochester Varajet II of an '86 Cherokee (always hated the varajet, but it is what I had to work with).
Hopefully this winter I can afford to take it to the machine shop and have it cleaned up and magnafluxed for cracks (I did my best to preheat and postheat, but my resources are limited). Then I hope to get it on my '66 Bronco and try it out before next summer.
Hey, if it don't work atleast I can take off the intake and build another one!

 

[Hot 6t Falcon]

I don't suppose that before you cut the log off the head you wrote down the casting numbers? I'm writing without the need 144/170 head facts... but here goes.

A typical head casting number is on the top of the manifold log behind the carb. It would look something like C9DE 6090 M. It is the first two digits we are mostly concerned with – C9 in my example. The first digit, “Câ€￾, is the decade (the ‘60s) (D=70s and E=80s). The second digit, “9â€￾ is the year of the decade (1969). The very last digit, “Mâ€￾ is the engineering code. 200 and 250 heads with the same code appear to be identical. The 6090 is the code Ford used for ALL cylinder heads - even on V/8's.

The ONLY 144 heads I've ever found were ALL marked C0DE-A. They had 1.467 intake valves. and 1.26 exhaust valves. Measure yours. It had 44 cc combustion chambers.

170 heads had C1DE-A right on up throught D0DE-A. 1961 to 1963 170 heads had 1.52" intakes and 1.266" exhausts. Starting in 1965, the 170 heads had 1.649" intakes and 1.38" exhausts. Up to 1972 they had 48 to 53 cc combustion chambers.

IF you have a 144 head and IF you have a 200 in your Bronco, you should go to the web site in my signature and find "Compression Calulator" in the left column. A 44 cc combustion chamber will give you over a 10 to 1 compression. That will be great for low end power, but you'll need octane additive in the gas.

It will not have a lot of top end power because of the EXTREMELY small valve sizes. So, only after you find out if everythin works, you can plan A.) put bigger valves in this head. All of the 144/170/200/250 valves have the same stem diameters and lengths.

or plan B.) find a '77 to '80 head that already has bigger ports, and bigger valves (1.75" intakes and 1.38" exhausts) and modify it the same way you're doing the 144 head. We like to use the 144 intake valves in the 200 heads as exhaust valves - to get the 1.467" size exhaust. FSP offers 1.5 stainless exhaust valves

Do some pictures!

Good Luck.

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I have no way of posting pictures.
I thought I saved the pieces from that intake, but when I went to look, they were no where to be found. I guess they got in my way! I think I cut it off over a year ago, and got tired off working on it and went on to something else.
I measured the valves though. Intake was 1.52" and exhaust 1.26". I guess that matches your measurement for 170 heads? I don't know the combustion chamber size yet.
The engine in my Bronco is a 170 though, instead of 200. I was kinda hoping for more compression. I think it would do better in the mountains at higher elevations. When I get to the point to do the swap, I plan on doing a good comparison of the two heads while they are side by side. I live in Avondale, CO at 4700 ft elevation, and run 10.5:1 compression in my Cougar on 85 octane fuel (that is our low grade) with no problems. I don't think the Bronco will get up to 10:1 compression with this swap. Might not change at all.
Thanks for the info.