200 head question

[texacejr]

I've read thru the forums and believe I'm on the right track, but want to double check just in case.
Have an 83 200 engine out of a Fairmont I bought for parts.
Engine ran great (I drove it a little) but had water blowing out the exhaust and radiator.
Found 2 cracks between valves in #1 and #2 .
I have a 75 Granada head I know is good (came off a running car I parted out for my friend).
I plan to replace the timing gears with earlier model parts to remove the cam timing retard issue.
Now to the question.
If I have the head shaved .050 to compensate for the thicker head gasket, will I need to put hardened washers under the head bolts?
I don't want to go any more than that because this is going in my 82 Fairmont daily driver.
I'm not planning to use washers, but I thought I would ask the experts 1st.
From what I have read it seems to be a tossup with that little being removed.
Any input will be appreciated.

 

[fordconvert]

You could set the head on without the gasket and see if the bolt heads will seat just going finger tight. IF they do the thickness of the gasket should give you the room you need. If they dont seat you can then figure out how many washers you will need.

 

[aahsac]

you can get the washers from your local rebuilder, they're the same as they use on the 350 chevys. It's cheap and better than doing it over again because you had a couple bolts bottom out.

 

[Asa]

when i did it, i just went to home depot and picked up the appropriate sized washers and made sure they were hardened washers

also, when you do this, make sure you use anti-seize on the washers so you don't get a bad torque reading

edit: here's a couple threads from when i was doing my head swap, they might help you out
http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32908
http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31443

 

[texacejr]

Thanks guys.
I'm going to go ahead and use the washers.
Better to do it once.
Just got back from hauling back a built 200 for my buddy that gave me the head.
For $500 he got a complete 68 200 that had been balanced, had Offy triple carb setup complete with Holleys,chrome air filters,3 outlet fuel block, etc...
Engine had a new alternator, starter, chrome valve cover, chrome water pump pulley.
And it was already assembled and had been running.
Lucky stiff even had a dual outlet header setup and complete dual exhaust system for his Stang thrown in !!!
I could've killed him when I saw what he paid.

 

[texacejr]

Any idea how much can safely be removed from an original 78 250 head?
Shooting for .050 but was curious how far I could go if necessary.
Remember, it's going on an 83 200 block.
About 8.3 compression if my book is right.
Thanx in advance.

 

[texacejr]

Sorry, I meant to type 1975 head instead.

 

[texacejr]

Never mind guys.
Shoulda read the sticky...Duh!

 

[Hot 6t Falcon]

Howdy,

You might try going to the web site in my signature. In the left column there is a "Compression Calculator. The pre-set numbers in the boxes are for a 1967 stock engine with the "shim" head gasket.

Increase the head gasket thickness to .045 (or whatever) and increase the combustion chamber size to 62cc for the later head. You should get about 7.7 compression.

For every .010 you shave from the head, you reduce the combustion chamber approx 2.4 cc. So a .050 cut reduces the chamber 12 cc.. When you put that now 50cc chamber in the Calculator, the compression is up to 8.8. No gain over stock, but no loss either.

My '78 head is milled .070. my son's '76 250 head on a 144 ci is milled .110". So what is safe? If you are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN it is a virgin head, .090 is completely safe. A machinist should be able to measure the head's gasket-surface-thickness, and know if it has been surfaced previously.

Good Luck, Dennis

 

[texacejr]

Thanks for all the info...
Ended up having to use a "virgin" 1980 head due to a crack on the other one.
Milled it .060 and used grade 8 washers under the head bolts.
Block and all internals are stock out of a 1983 low mile junker I picked up for parts. Cleaned evertyhing up and painted, not perfect but looks good.
Dropping it in Saturday. Gotta be running Sunday due to bad weather coming in and no space in my lil 1 car garage/storage room.
Cross yer fingers fer me... :roll:

 

[texacejr]

IT lives, It lives !!!
I wasn't sure I was gonna make it b4 the bad weather hit...but it's running fine.
Almost like a new car.
Thanx to all the forum members with all their info they have posted for all of us.
Probably woulda made a mess of things if not for this site !!!
Now to wait for summer and do my T5 swap.
After that..maybe some more head work (didn't have time this time around) and start gathering parts for an EFI swap (lots more research to do 1st).
Thanx again to all the forum members for their contributions to this site.