250 head?

[Gene Fiore]

I have a head that I believe is from a 250 motor, but I am not really sure. How can I tell? Does anyone know by the casting number what head this is and what year? The casting number is D3DE-6090-AA. Is this a good head to use for a performance build. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Gene --

According to the Schjeldahl brothers' book, the D3DE-AA heads were used on both 200's and 250's during the 70-75 period. If I read their chart correctly, there was a mid-production shift in intake valve size, so it may have either 1.649 or 1.75 inch intakes [that doesn't sound right to me, so I may be reading it wrong...]. Maybe David or Dennis can set me straight on this.

If it has the larger intakes, it ought to be good for flow. Depending on if it has been worked prior to your getting it, however, it likely has the non-hardened (i.e., unleaded gas ready) valve seats -- which would be a problem these days. But they can be changed out pretty easily.

If you are thinking of working this head up, I'd really advise you to get the above book "The Ford Falcon Six Cylinder Performance Handbook". You'll find it at their website: falconperformance.sundog.net/, or at this forum's site: http://cquesttechnologies.com/fspp/smallsix.asp?cat=56.

Hope that helps.

--- Barrett

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy All:

Your right on Barret. The D3 casting will most likely have 1.69" intake valves, a 1.75" carb hole and a 62 cc combustion chamber. It will likely not have induction hardened sets. If it does, they will be on the intakes only. After C9 ('69), 200 and 250 heads are the same. The carb mounting pad and adaptor will be different from pre-'69 heads too.

D0 to D5 castings are less predictible than earlier or later castings in what they may or may not have. Sorry for the lack of clarity in the Handbook, but that's the reason. As always, with FoMoCo, it is best to measure and try to never use "Always" and "Never" to describe the progression of changes. In the early '70s, this uncertianty is due to the transition to lower compression, unleaded gas and to FoMoCos notorious, "Emty bin" policies.

Gene- you didn't say what you were planning to use this head on. IF you're planning on rebuilding this head you can easily upgrade to 1.75" intakes and have hardened valve seats installed.

You will also want to reread the sticky on head swapping at the top of this forum on how to adapt later model, larger chamber head to earlier, smaller chamber head sizes so as to not loose compression.

PS- thanks for the plug Barret.

Adios, David

 

[Gene Fiore]

Thanks guys. I did a little research myself on how to interpret the casting numbers and realized that I had a 1973 head. If I eventually get to this project ( lol ) I will be building a 250 motor for a Maverick. If I end up using this head I will definately make sure on the valve size because I will want to use the larger valves for sure. I am seriously considering holding off until we hear about the new aluminum head being developed by FSP. It sounds like it could be amazing. Imagine a detachable intake and no port divider to weld in! Holy crapola...can't wait to hear more on it and what the cost would be!