The best year for 200. (head)

[pmhvps]

Does anyone know if the '81 heads are better than the '68's. A guy has the whole engine that he is going to scrap and asked if I wanted anything off it. I thought if the head was better than the '68 I would take it. I would take the whole thing but I have no space.

Mike.

 

[wallaka]

It's better. Larger intake log, hardened valve seats, etc.

 

[pmhvps]

Thanks.

Mike.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Mike:

You'd do well to take everything from the valve cover to the headbolts. There are many improvements from the '68 head to an '81.

The only downside is that the chamber volume increased from 52 ccs in '68 to about 62 ccs in '81. This problem is easily solved by milling about .050".

The carb hole is larger too. 1.5" to 1.75".

Read the sticky at the top of the small six forum for details about OEM headgasket thickness as compared to what's available now.

I'd suggest that you grab the ignition system too. It would make a nice upgrade from your '68 point distributor systemIt will be a DuraSpark II and has good value. Get the distributor, module, coil, plug wires and harness.

Adios, David

 

[Hot 6t Falcon]

Howdy from the other Schjeldahl brother.

Dave told you about the carb hole in the intake log increasing from 1.5 to 1.75, so your current carb won't fit without making some sort of adapter. Easy enough to do, but why not just upgrade to the later carb too?

If it is there, grab it too.

The 81 will have a cable throttle linkage too. If you can get the gas pedall and cable too.

So let's see. You're getting a bigger log, bigger valves, hardened valve seats, bigger carb, electronic ignition, cable throttle, ALL FOR FREE! Hmmm... there's going to be some jealous people around here. The only down side is the loss of compression - so mill the crap out of it, backcut the valves, and be happy.

Go read the "head swap" sticky on the small six thread and the "What a three angle valve job is" on the hardcore inline tech thread.

 

[JackFish]

If you have an automatic, there is a kickdown assembly that sits just behind the carb, so get that too, if you need it. There should also be some kind of egr spacer too.

 

[pmhvps]

Thanks all for the info. Like I said I would take the whole thing (including the tranny) but it would have to sit, covered outside.

Mike.

 

[xctasy]

Put the head
Under the bed
(and tell you partner that its an early Xmas present...)

 

[ASMART]

he he he

But what happens when your spouse finds out all you got her was a card?

 

[Anonymous]

But what happens when your spouse finds out all you got her was a card?

well, since the engine parts are FREE you can't use the excuse that you spent her Christmas gift money.

I guess you are just cheap!!

 

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, a stripped down 200 block fits great into the back of the broom closet. Ask me how I know.

You can stand the crank up on end behind the clothes dryer.