I was trying to do some searches in the matter but i ended up with more questions. Figured id just ask u guys. I have a 77 460 in my wagon. Weiand intake holley 750 street hp small cam (the specs i have somewhere) and the 69-71 timing chain in the upright position. Only thing im missing is a good set of heads! I have a chance to get a set of 70 heads and am thinking of jumping on them. My question is it it worth it? How bolt up is it? Do i need different push rods? From wat ive read i should still be okay on pump gas. I'm not a member of the 460 forum so i can only view so much on that site. Any help would be great. Thanks! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I'm certainly no expert, but I grew up with a dad who is a ******** truck puller running a bbf. I know the DOOE-R heads (super cobra jet) are the best iron heads there are. Unfortunately, between the mustang guys and the truck pullers who have rules requiring iron heads, they are getting hard to find and bring $$$. That said, even a set of really worked over heads have a hard time coming close to the John Kaase redesigned aluminum Ford Racing SCJ heads right out of the box. Then there are the P51 aluminum heads offered by Kaase himself that are basically a casting of a really worked over set of new SCJ heads. The flow numbers these put out as cast are insane- way overkill for most street motors/cams. The thing is, you can get into either the aluminum SCJ from Ford Racing or the P51 from Kaase for about the same coin that you are going to spend working over a set of iron heads. Just remember that SCJ stuff has bigger intake and exhaust ports so manifolds and headers might not fit (if I remember correctly). If I were to build a 385 series motor for a street car, the Ford Racing SCJ heads would be a no brainer. Food for thought. Also, search the net for a dude called "The Mad Porter". I think he has a shop in the Pacific NW called ReinCarnation Auto or something. He's an iron head Ford guru and a wealth of info. Good luck.
Not sure about your deal. I had a '69 460 with the small chamber heads. It also had screw in studs from the factory. Ran very well with an Offy Port O sonic 4 bbl and an 850. Better with a Dominator 1150. I had a Crower Flat tappet cam. I put in the Cobra jet valves. Used Isky roller rockers and 7/16 studs. Really don't remember the pushrods, but since it was adjustable I guess stock pushrods would work.
For a mild cam, even your stock '77 heads will flow plenty of air with some work. Probably a D3vE casting #. The intake ports are the same as early heads, but the exhaust needs some help. There is porting info on the web if you search for it. The adjustable valve train of the early heads is a nice bonus if you can get a pair cheap. The Re in"car"nation site has excellent info, but you have to pay to get the best, step by step porting info. http://reincarnation-automotive.com/bbf_technical_index
Thanks for the help. Only reason im looking at iron heads is because i cant justify the awesome well made aluminum heads. Was hoping to get by with just tossing these on for under a grand. And i do believe they are the d3 heads on my car so maybe they are with messing with the exhaust ports. Any more advice is always appreciated. Thanks guys Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Not racing (much) so just trying to squeeze as much as i can out of the car Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
A good alternative to the CJ head head was the DOVE, and is what I used when I rebuilt the 460 in my jet boat back in the '90s. A little grinding here and there, along with installing screw-in studs and SS valve, worked very well with a .040" bore, GK cam and other mods, resulting around 435 hP.
Wow, you better get them for alot less than a grand. The aluminum Ford SCJ heads are close to that range here and there. Alot of them out there used. Been around for almost fifteen years now. First Kaase work up. Next one up is Kaase pure SCJ's, and then of course the Kaase P51's. . The problem with the iron DO** heads (several alpha similar versions) is, the fact that they are resto hunted. More of a numbers thing for those guys doing the bigger dollar restos'. In all honesty you can probably spend a little on what you have, and get alot more $ satisfaction then buying any of these DO** heads. Yes, exhaust port, and intake port match yours. Just need gaskets, machine die, scribe and a dremel. Take your time....cleanup is the key.....don't go wild and hog anything. You can even clean up the combustion chambers if you like. Once it goes in for the valve job, have your machinist blast the runners to increase the atomization aspects. Keep the chambers polished. Join the 460Ford forum. Easy, and free. Alot of information from the guys that have already pondered these same questions. Wish I could say more....but I already know I am completely out of HAMB bounds being one of those guys. I cringe with every post, but alas this is all I have. Just a fan. I enjoy flipping through this place looking at all the amazing stuff you guys build. One day, soon.......
Yea i get heat for the 460 here. And i doubt putting the iron heads im looking at would cost as much as i said. And yea the kase heads are ver reasonable just have to buy new manifolds and headers so that really adds to the cost. Seems like best bang for my buck would be to just m***age my heads Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The 68-71 429 heads C8VE, C9VE, or DOVE castings are what to look for but will give you 9.5-10 on a late block.
Not trying to be an *** or anything but how does it run now? Save your money, time and effort and enjoy it the way it is. I see to many people letting their cruise night bravado get in the way of their thinking. I've been in this a long time and that seat of the pants feeling you get when you spend money on the car is your wallet deflating. Pat
34 coupe i agree with u. Was just coming to sign off on this post. While i can go the route im asking about to save a few bucks we all no it wont be good enough. I always say do it once do it rigjt. (Do as i say not as i do). If i really want good heads i should save my pennies and buy good heads. It is that simple. And the car runs great as it sits i just want more. I feel like im leaving a lot of meat on the bone considering wat i could make this thing but good things take time and i shouldve learned by now to be patient. Thank u guys for all ur help its great to be able to come to a bunch of gear heads and bounce ideas around. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Actually the first gen Kaase are basically a duplicate for the Cobra Jet, just m***aged a bit on the inner flumes...so to speak....these would be the Ford SCJ's from Ford Racing Parts. Share all the same manifolds, and headers. I have a spare set of 429/460 manifolds you can have....for just the shipping....although the driver's side is brazed with the obligatory cast iron crack.. I went the 429 SCJ route with the first mentioned heads about a decade ago. Wasted a bunch of money, basically doing what the junkyard 460 guys were doing horsepower wise. 460's are maintenance free house movers.....mild to wild, they are hard to beat. Should have done that myself. The last go round I jumped on a 557 short block with the P-51's. Could have had that the first time, for what I spent on the 429 SCJ. Pump gas 612 hp and 693 ft/lbs....to the wheels....no power adders, other then the right foot. 12 mpg city, 17 mpg highway. Could have gone crazy, but no need to shred body parts for me, nor the car. I agree with 1934coupe. Hell, maybe one day when the heads come off, do some m***aging then....or too bored in the winter...there is your cold days project. Keep your eyes open....if stuck on the 460 still....you can find the occasional deal on 514's and such...with guys chasing the bigger cubes. I see them here and there on that auction site frequently. Last one sold for 1800 bucks.....whole engine/DOVE heads....thats what my stroker parts cost. I would say that ran pretty good.
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