Adding AFR185's to FMS392

[ERA Chas]

...and if the pistons are installed backwards.

[jeffko]

185 are still the best match to the FMS crate engines. 205's move a lot of air and you will need the necessary parts to compliment them.

[Mark Brye]

I sent an email off to AFR to ask them about installing the 185's onto my 392. They responded but did not give me any insight. I was talking to our local Ford Guru and he was showing me the difference between an X head and the new FMS Z head. The Z head has exhaust ports that are so big that I do not know if my Backdraft header will even cover the entire port. Also on the Z head, the spark plug sits a little higher in the head which looks like it will interfear with the headers flange at the head making it imposible to install sparkplugs.
I now have these questions about the AFR heads also. I really do not want to buy new headers along with stud mounted rockers and the possibility of flycutting the pistons. I just want to bolt on and go!

[jrr]

Mark
If headers are a concern, the first question you need to ask is exhaust port location. There are some really great heads available but a lot of them have raised exhaust ports. For my little configuration, this is a major reconstruction of headers. Make sure you ask and have the flexibility to move up with your set up.
AFR 185s, Edelbrock Performers and TF Twisted Wedge's [most of them] are stock location ex ports. The FMS Z and AFRs are not.
Jack

[jeffko]

Mark, I just installed a set of new BDR headers on my 205s without any problem at all.

I recall several guys on here that have 185s on engines from 302 to 393. The 205 is a smaller combustion chamber, raising compression, and the intake valves are bigger. I used -12cc probe pistons in my build for clearance and to keep my compression under 11:1.

[Humbucker]

I'm the guy who bent a pushrod when installing the Keith Craft AFR185's.

All I can figure is one of two possibilities. Operator error or defective pushrods. A friend and I quadruple checked everything before putting the intake back on, so I'm pretty sure it was a bad rod. I ordered the heavier duty pushrods (the Magnums, I believe) and had no problems after that.

In other words, the AFR185's went on with no clearance problems at all.

My engine is a 2002 FMS 392, if that helps any.

By the way, the increase in HP & torque is VERY noticable. It was money well spent.

[Mark Brye]

Humbucker,

What cc heads did you use? Did you get the car dynoed after to see what the improvements are? Also, do I need to change rockers from what the factory FMS motor uses when using the AFR 185's? Sorry for all the questions.