Aluminum heads

[blykins]

Now, there are a lot of heads that are very similar, within a digit that it could be also. Sometimes casting numbers are hard to read.

Could it be a C6AE-R? Or a C5AE-F?

Are you sure they're cast iron?

[classical glass]

Originally Posted by blykins

Now, there are a lot of heads that are very similar, within a digit that it could be also. Sometimes casting numbers are hard to read.

Could it be a C6AE-R? Or a C5AE-F?

Are you sure they're cast iron?

Definitely F.

[blykins]

Definitely C6?

Stick a magnet to it....

[classical glass]

Originally Posted by blykins

Definitely C6?

Stick a magnet to it....

Yep magnet sticks, cast iron.

[blykins]

Can you post a picture?

I think you actually have a C5AE-F head, which is a factory 427 medium riser head.

[classical glass]

Originally Posted by blykins

Can you post a picture?

I think you actually have a C5AE-F head, which is a factory 427 medium riser head.

What does that mean? I had a ford tech look at them and he thought they might be 428 heads...... Is that possible? I still haven't figured out how to down load pictures or I would be glad to do it. Back to the heads how good are they and what would be the aluminum replacement? I tripled checked the heads again and they are cast iron and the id is (C6AE-F). Thanks for all your time.

[blykins]

Can you email or text me a pic? 502.759.1431

It's a mystery as to whether or not that head actually exists. Most believe that the molds were worn out and it's actually a C5 cast number, which would make it a factory 427 MR head.

If it is, then the chamber sizes on those were in the upper 80's, which would mean that you would need to find a replacement head similar to that size. The Pond heads would be the only ones that I could think of, otherwise your compression ratio would go sky high with an Edelbrock, BBM, Survival, etc.

[classical glass]

Originally Posted by blykins

Can you email or text me a pic? 502.759.1431

It's a mystery as to whether or not that head actually exists. Most believe that the molds were worn out and it's actually a C5 cast number, which would make it a factory 427 MR head.

If it is, then the chamber sizes on those were in the upper 80's, which would mean that you would need to find a replacement head similar to that size. The Pond heads would be the only ones that I could think of, otherwise your compression ratio would go sky high with an Edelbrock, BBM, Survival, etc.

Ok, I will send you some photos this evening. Thanks

[joyridin']

Hurry up! The suspense is killing me!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by joyridin'

Hurry up! The suspense is killing me!

Hopefully Brent will post them as well. Personally, I'm rooting for a never-been-seen before, one time only, iron FE head.

[classical glass]

Originally Posted by blykins

Now, there are a lot of heads that are very similar, within a digit that it could be also. Sometimes casting numbers are hard to read.

Could it be a C6AE-R? Or a C5AE-F?

Are you sure they're cast iron?

Brent, I think I screwed up. My 70 year old eyes aren't what they used to be. I do believe the casting is C5AE- F. Sorry. Now that is solved what can you tell me about my heads. What manufacture would you recommend? Sorry for all the confusion actually my wife caught it. She was right but l'll never tell her that.

[blykins]

Got your email, yes it's a C5AE-F head. Factory 427 medium riser.

Now, for the kicker....

I won't be able to tell you exactly what you need until those come off. In factory form, the chamber sizes were supposed to have been 88-91cc. That means that only a Pond aluminum head would be a good substitute, in order to keep your compression ratio down.

However....

The last 427 I built for Alan Carter, a forum member here, used those heads. After cleaning the decks up and a valve swap, they were at 73cc.

You can never tell what's been done to a block, or to a pair of heads in the last 50 years. They may have been milled to death or they may be factory fresh.

I think if you're ready to do a swap, I would suggest mothballing the car for the winter, then have your shop pull the heads and cc the chambers. That way, we can approach this as a methodical engine builder instead of throwing parts at it.

[Buzz]

Frank honesty and consummate professionalism once again from Brent. Credibility as a person and an engine builder is off the charts. Several thumbs up!

[joyridin']

Bummer! Oh well....back to watching The Curse of Oak Island!

[classical glass]

Thanks to everyone who took part in this discussion especially Brent you all have been very helpful. Now I know what I have and what direction I'm going.