I am gathering the last bits and pieces to do a head swap on our early 65 mustang. I bought a C7DE head from a member of the forum and have it at the machine shop being checked over. I have already purchased a Ford head gasket kit with the later style composite head gasket and hard plastic valve stem seals. (C9OZ-6079-A). And then today a original steel shim type gasket has come up on Ebay.
My questions are: Should I forgo milling the head and try to buy the thinner head gasket? I am assuming that Ford made the switch to the composite gasket for better sealing? Also should I use the hard plastic stem seals in the kit or rubber umbrella ones?
The engine is a 170 and the car is used just to cruise around the suburbs. The reason for the head swap is I have a puff of smoke on startup and the plugs on 3 and 4 keep getting oil fouled. The valve stem seals on the current head are fresh so I am guessing bad valve guides. I have performed a compression test and all of the cylinders are within 5 lbs of one another so i don't think rings are the issue.
As always, any help or opinions are appreciated.
Kevin
My questions are: Should I forgo milling the head and try to buy the thinner head gasket? I am assuming that Ford made the switch to the composite gasket for better sealing? Also should I use the hard plastic stem seals in the kit or rubber umbrella ones?
The engine is a 170 and the car is used just to cruise around the suburbs. The reason for the head swap is I have a puff of smoke on startup and the plugs on 3 and 4 keep getting oil fouled. The valve stem seals on the current head are fresh so I am guessing bad valve guides. I have performed a compression test and all of the cylinders are within 5 lbs of one another so i don't think rings are the issue.
As always, any help or opinions are appreciated.
Kevin