Aluminum heads

[blykins]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'm no FE expert, but Brent or anyone interested in helping you may want to know which stock cast iron head?

Yep...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

Yep...

Uhhh, sorry. You have to be able to come up with the perfect head, the perfect configuration, and the perfect components without knowing the details on the rest of engine. Plus, you have to guess at what the customer is really going to do with the engine. That's the rules... and it makes it more fun for the rest of us.

[classical glass]

Originally Posted by blykins

Yep...

OK, stuped question......... How do I go about finding out what what heads I have? I think there is a casting number under the valve cover some ware is that correct? If not where would I look? Thanks.

[blykins]

Cast number is usually between the center exhaust ports on the outside of the head.

[classical glass]

Originally Posted by blykins

Cast number is usually between the center exhaust ports on the outside of the head.

Just got home from work. I went out and found the info (C6AE-F) does that tell anything.

[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....

[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.

[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!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by classical glass

OK, stuped question......... How do I go about finding out what what heads I have? I think there is a casting number under the valve cover some ware is that correct? If not where would I look? Thanks.

Your safest bet is to take and post several pictures -- that will eliminate "screw ups." Brent is likely going to want to see your intake manifold as well.