Availability of late model heads

[phoenix02]

Hey all,

I was wondering- how rare are the better flowing late model heads? I found two for $40/ea at an ecology. I was thinking about getting one, but it would be $40 less for me to spend on other things, as I won't be able to afford to get it rebuilt for a month or two. Do you think if I wait until then, I'd still be able to find a head relatively easily? They're both hex heads off of '81 Fairmont Futuras.

BTW, I didn't ask about milling yet, but I got a quote of $180 for a rebuild with new valve guides, seats, seals, 3 angle and a dual hand lap. Is this a good price? I'm going to be getting my uncle to help me with the 2bbl conversion and trying my hand at porting, but do you think I could do the rebuild, or would it be advantageous to get a shop to do it? I'm thinking about dropping my CR to 8.9 so I can use lower octane gas comfortably by milling the head- that way, whenever I rebuild the bottom end, I can get the block zeroed to up the compression if I wanted to. Do you think 8.9 would be a big hit in power, or should I stay with the 9.2? If I stay with 9.2, can I run 87 or 89 octane okay? I run mostly 92 octane right now as it's a non hardened valve seat head and I'm concerned about killing the exhaust seats and pinging. Going to a hotter spark with the DSII/MSD combo, will that help at all with the detonation?

Michael

PS- I wanted better wires that stock when I do the ignition conversion, but I'm not too sold on the regular ricer Accell wires, so I did some searching and picked up a set of Taylor spiro pro wires on ebay. (item #180088566492) What plugs should I go with? I was thinking stock autolites and shaving the grounds, unless of course Link could set me up with a set of those aircraft plugs with the thin wire grounds....

 

[kukm66]

If those heads are rebuildable, I would pick up both of them immediately. There are many members looking to buy them and at $40 each, they are a bargain.

 

[Mercury Mike]

To add to that, 180$ is a great price for a full and complete rebuild. Real deal. =D

 

[matt1967]

Autozone will charge $325 for a rebuild/ swap for that head. and there done in volume

 

[MIKE/ILLINOIS]

You said they were the "Hex" log heads. Those have the big valves and hardened seats, but you can't modify the log to mount a 2 BBL carb. the top of the log is only a half inch or so wide. The flat top logs are the ones every one here is machining for direct mount 2BBL carbs. You could probably use one of the funnel adaptors to mount a 2BBL on that hex log, but I wouldn't think it would flow as well as a direct mount.

Mike

 

[64.5 TX Stang]

but you can't modify the log to mount a 2 BBL carb. the top of the log is only a half inch or so wide.

Actually I bet you can modify them, it just might take a bit more work. IMHO there is no such thing as can't, maybe not practical, but never can't. See what some of the other guys have to say about the hex heads and direct mounting a 2bbl.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Michael and all:

The difference be between a CR of 9.2 and 8.9: 1 is negligibile. I'd shooot for 9:1 and smooth the chambers a bit and feel fairly comfortible running 85/87 octane gas three months out of the year. If you notice some ping in the heat of summer, spring for a tank of 92 gas. If/when you do the block and get a zero deck height the improved quench effect will all but eliminate the chance of knock. Then you should be looking for 9.5:1 with an ocassional summer tank of 92 octane.

Don't be fooled into thinking higher octane will somehow be easier on your old valve seats- it won't. Higher octane only burns slower to inhibit pre-ignition and/or spontanious combustion. Knock from either source will damage pistons and valve faces, but not valve seats.

The late model heads are not hard to find at the moment. I wonder how long it will be before I can't say that. There are no Falcons left in the yards around here now. Few ocassional Mavericks and some Fairmonts and Monarchs, but alway fewer. I have a few heads stashed away- you never know. Anyway your prices are very motivating. I'd get both, stash or sell one to help finance the work on the keeper.

The conversion to a DS II will be a nice upgrade. It will help with knock, but knock isn't much of a problem in a small bore, good running 200. If you have a problem with knock you likely have another problem.

I'm going to work on doing the 2 barrel conversion on a late model hex log head next. You're right Mike, anything is possible- some things just take a bit more work.

Keep us posted on your choices and your progress Michael.

Adios, David