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Technical Early (32-36) Flathead cylinder head questions.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 31pickemup, Nov 28, 2014.

  1. 31pickemup
    Joined: Apr 9, 2006
    Posts: 1,303

    31pickemup
    Member

    Hey Gang I have a 1937 Ford flathead 21 stud that I'm going to be using for my 1932 roadster build. I'm wanting to run the earlier style 32-36 cylinder heads. My question is are certain years better than others? Are the aluminum ones better than the cast iron? Do I want ones for flat type pistons or domes? I'm newer to flatheads and especially the older ones. I just want to know what to look for when I start looking for heads. I wasn't sure If I should have put it here or the traditional page so if its wrong administrators please move.
     
  2. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,645

    alchemy
    Member

    I can't answer if one is better than the other, except for the dome vs. not question. If you have domed pistons, use domed heads, and vis versa.

    Ford was constantly improving the flathead during those years, and usually the parts got better. I'd bet the later heads would be better for performance than the earlier ones. If you have nice '32 heads (heart shaped combustion chambers) you could probably sell them and buy quite a few sets of later heads.
     
  3. Alchemy,
    Unless I am mistaken you could get *Mountain heads for those earlier engines. That being the case those would be the best heads from the factory. They were smooth like the later Canadian heads.

    As for iron over aluminum heads unless you are building a period perfect piece repop heads are usually better then original aluminum heads, better quality castings and better alloy.

    * I have also heard them called Rocky Mountain heads and Denver heads.
     

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