Thread: 351 W knowledge needed

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Dave no money dumping in these and as said so many aftermarket available even in great used condition less money spent for something better. Was just hoping to have a piece of history under the hood of car . The 69 or 70 heads are out marketed now anyway leaving them wheel barrel deals .

Seen heads used as low as $400 to $500 where someone has changed them out . So I guess when the right thing comes along I'll jump on it but I can wait I never get in a hurry . .

Originally Posted by bluestang67

Dave no money dumping in these and as said so many aftermarket available even in great used condition less money spent for something better. Was just hoping to have a piece of history under the hood of car . The 69 or 70 heads are out marketed now anyway leaving them wheel barrel deals .

Seen heads used as low as $400 to $500 where someone has changed them out . So I guess when the right thing comes along I'll jump on it but I can wait I never get in a hurry . .

Bobby - before you rush into buying aluminum heads, new or used, take a look at the new Street Rodder (just out this week) as they do note that they aren't necessarily the best way to go for engine cooling -see page 116. A '37 with that skinny radiator that even had trouble cooling original engines, isn't the best design for big honking Hp engines without bankrolling companies like Walker

But when it's all done - do you really care? We here all tend to think in PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS language. What ever you do will be a wake up call to a car that was originally powered by either a 60Hp or 85Hp flathead that might have reved to 4200 rpm, and gone maybe 75 mph downhill with a tail wind. A good cleaning, a valve job and a set of new stock springs might be just fine for crusin' - (tho no bragging rights). The only downfall to these heads beyond cracks, would be excessively worn vave guides - and they can be repaired too.

Last year at the Goodguys show in Joliet a guy had a Walker for $200 for a 37 used it in mock up at his shop . Hadn't quite made the deal yet so I passed on Rad .

Not a real fan on aluminum heads either and there are some good worked iron ones out there from shops . Don't take much of a overheat on one to take it out of commission . My thoughts as always has been a nostalgia build not on 1/4 mile .

I also have read a lot of bench porting about these SBF heads . Safe sizes for the bowls and water jacket locations . Things to help them breath just a bit more and I would not be afraid to get out the carbide by no means .

Not worried about bragging rights just a nice cruiser with some effects is all . A 351 stock alone will pull this car great we know that much . I thought about that 85hp in there maybe twisting the frame from its earlier launches . But I am no launcher just a cruiser .

Originally Posted by bluestang67

Last year at the Goodguys show in Joliet a guy had a Walker for $200 for a 37 used it in mock up at his shop . Hadn't quite made the deal yet so I passed on Rad .

Not a real fan on aluminum heads either and there are some good worked iron ones out there from shops . Don't take much of a overheat on one to take it out of commission . My thoughts as always has been a nostalgia build not on 1/4 mile .

I also have read a lot of bench porting about these SBF heads . Safe sizes for the bowls and water jacket locations . Things to help them breath just a bit more and I would not be afraid to get out the carbide by no means .

Not worried about bragging rights just a nice cruiser with some effects is all . A 351 stock alone will pull this car great we know that much . I thought about that 85hp in there maybe twisting the frame from its earlier launches . But I am no launcher just a cruiser .

Bobby - about the only thing I would do to those heads is straighten out the intake side to fit the gasket to reduce the projection into the gas path and if the exhaust has an EGR bump, flatten that to blend with the rest of the runner, and of course, clean up to a gasket dimensions. Anything else - a waste of time and if you get into the valve pocket, even more reduction of what little compression ratio those 69cc heads have.

About all an 85Hp flattie could launch is that fragile OEM tranny - and that usually by "speed" shifting (and they were a b@#$% to change out with that torque tube - {why do I know that - maybe by some scar tissue on some fingers} )

Dave I will most likely run these stock till something comes along . Or if I find something before it begins .

Originally Posted by bluestang67

Dave I will most likely run these stock till something comes along . Or if I find something before it begins .

If you could manage to trip over a pair of GT-40 heads they make decent power, too.... Even came on some of the Explorers....

Dave I know of those and hope the U pick have them before someone else finds them . The P heads seem to be limited to exhaust but the GT 40 would be a great selection .