Club Cobra - Ford aluminum heads?

Club Cobra (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/)

- FE TALK (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/fe-talk/)

- - Ford aluminum heads? (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/fe-talk/119115-ford-aluminum-heads.html)

Ford aluminum heads?

Back on the project cobra and started to research all my parts. Thought my heads were DOVE MFG. ( that's what I was told) so I have been hesitant to use them because they are N.O.S. over twenty years old, and the porosity issues back then scared me. Contacted Dove to ship them back and have tested and surprise....they are not Dove heads. Apparently they are FORD SK-35369 medium riser heads from the GT-40 program, even the cast FORD oval on them. Dove's are blank.
Stupid question....these are apparently rare, they are complete with valves and springs, NOS.....do I use them, or pickle them back on the shelf just because of what they are?
Thanks
Daniel

Or sell them and buy 5 sets of Edelbrocks.

That brings up a question....anyone know what they may be worth?

Are they tunnel port?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielg (Post 1230918)

It's doubtful those are original Ford. I've seen a number of those heads over the years that were all made by Dove. Dove started making heads and other parts around 30 years ago from original Ford patterns he acquired. I have seen original Ford MR cast iron heads with that SK number in them, so I believe Dove was just using the CI patterns to make the alum counterpart. Many of Dove's parts had/have the Fomoco trademark and probably no one but Jim Dove has been there long enough to know what they did years ago - and Jim no doubt can't even remember everything. If you post or email pictures, I can give you my opinion. One giveaway is the diameter of the valve guide flange under the seat... measure yours and report back along with the photos. One other giveaway is the shape of the most outboard water passages on the deck face, so include those views.

Thanks for the input....I'll take some pictures and if I can't post I will email them. I was talking with Jim Dove and he said he did not produce heads with the ford logo, ( Ford in a oval) that's why he said they are not his.
Maybe he's mistaken?

oh, little more on where to measure the valve guide flange? I can see what appears to be bronze or brass guides in the port, is that the diameter I am measuring?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielg (Post 1230928)

oh, little more on where to measure the valve guide flange? I can see what appears to be bronze or brass guides in the port, is that the diameter I am measuring?

Not the measurement in the port, but the largest flange diameter on top of the head under the spring and seat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielg (Post 1230928)

oh, little more on where to measure the valve guide flange? I can see what appears to be bronze or brass guides in the port, is that the diameter I am measuring?

Jim either has Alzheimer's now or the more likely scenario is he won't admit that to someone calling out of the blue for fear of getting sued by Ford due to their pursuit of trademark violations in recent years.

Yes, in our sue happy world, I have now way to look under the spring set unless I go to a machine shop, appears to be two coil springs separated by a flat spring.. what do the water openings look like on Dove?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielg (Post 1230935)

There is a difference in the width of the reinforcement bar that juts across the passage, which cast iron heads don't even have BTW.

Daniel,
Glad to hear your back at it. While your sorting through all your boxes, keep an eye out for my Contemporary parts.
John

Hi John.....Yes back at it, Dad,s still trooper and hangs out for a couple hours on a saturday or sunday, but thats his limit.
I found more Contemporary receipts, and I found the Contemporary pedal and master cylinder assembly, didn.t remember I purchased that when I purchased the body, for that matter I don't know why they were in the basement.

Regarding the heads, I can not seem to load pictures, the pixels are to much and I have not figured out how to reduce them yet.
Daniel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielg (Post 1231018)

I'm glad your Dad is still hanging in there. He is a neat old guy! If you can send me whatever parts you can find, I would REALLY appreciate it. Keep your eyes open for the caliper mounting bracket. I'd be happy to pay the shipping.
John

Daniel,
What happened to you? Where did you go?
John