Hey guys, i was just wondering if i could get some ideas for a good place to buy some aluminum heads for my 302? Can anyone help me out?
I second Summit as I've been buying parts from them for years, and I love the next day shipment from their Western Warehouse when I order before 3:00pm the day before. One thing I would do is talk with whatever manufacturer you choose before ordering.............some parts differ from the Summit website...............
I always like to give my local shop a shot to match the big guys although I know often they can't. I have been surprised though a few times, you never know what they might be sitting on that they'd like to monetize. Aside from supporting your local guy (if you have one) unless you are doing an absolute out of the box bolt on, it's good to be their customer if you need to lean on them a bit. My experience with aluminium heads lately has been that even some of the more reputable names require some effort so check them thoroughly. Although most anything would be an upgrade, I wouldn't treat any of them as bolt on so unless you are an expert, your local guy probably factors in somewhere. If you are looking at lower end stuff like Pro Comp, you really need work to make them right. IMHO of course.
X2 on the local shop if you have a good one. My local guy beat Edelbrock's top end kit price with Dart heads he assembled, custom cam, and a more complete package. He's now thinking about offering a kit to compete with Edelbrock.
I certainly agree with what JM16 and Jsarnold say about buying from your local guy..................do you have one with driving distance? I know Mike's Transmission is there (he built my Powerglide), but unless your "local guy" has been in business for more than 10 years and has a machine shop......I'd would be talking with the manufacturer of the heads before I go to the local guys shop...........................some shops are OK, and others............well, aren't much better than going to Outozone................... Buying on price is not always a good choice, and for me anything that has Pro Comp on it (made in China)...................is just not on my list.....period. As I said before, call and talk with the manufacturer of the heads, cam, pistons.........................and ask a lot of questions to make sure it is truly a bolt on part...........or what mod's need to be done..................then go where you feel comfortable..........................................................................IMHO
the latest Car Craft issue just did a low budget SBF aluminum comparo test. IIRC, the TFS 180's spanked them all for about $1,100.
thanks for the help guys. Much appreciated. I have a local of sorts. Hes a performance specialist and im cool with him. Its Brant Racing Enterprise if any of you know him. He seems pretty reliable to me so i think ill give him a call.
Hey There! I am very totally new to this site as my wife just 2 months ago bought me my '73 Maverick as a gift for returning home from my last deployment overseas. I too have some questions to the "Aluminum Head" swap. I read the Car Craft comparison and was quite impressed to how thorough they were. Though the TFS Twisted Wedge and Edlebrock E-Street smoked them, i personally was impressed with the Iron heads from World as I was wanting to keep this baby "Old School" and not have a lot of "Bling" but yet still have some play and raise eyebrows when you "Crack on it". As new to the Maverick and this site i am just as new to Small Block Fords. My first ride was a 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda,(383/727 Auto) and next ride was 1968 Firebird (428/Turbo 400) ALL Bigblocks and not Fords. Anybody out there help me to find the numbers on the block to know what year motor i got? Maverick is factory 302 car (Code "F") and 62A body with Trim code BA, but is all I know. (For now....) Also any info on what Mustang parts will swap over???? I know the 9" Lincoln Versailles will but harder than hell to find nowadays, will the 8.8 Rearends fit????? Thanks in advance!!
First, to the site, second...............thanks for serving OS! The thing about SBF's is that they respond very well to the newer aftermarket aluminum heads............and like bmcdaniel said.............they are easy to paint. With a good set of heads like Edelbrock or TFS you can pick up 40/50hp over any cast metal head. Personally I've been using TFS heads on SBF's almost from the beginning and although the twisted wedge requires different pistons in a lot of applications............they are great heads.........I currently have some old TFS-R heads on my 408 motor. The 9" Versalilles is a good rearend, but parts are just almost non-existant anymore and you can make an 8.8 pretty bullet proof. If it were me going to build a 302............I'd put a 347 stroker kit and some good aluminum heads...........................that will snap your neck when you hit the loud pedal..............paint it a factory color and put a stock aircleaner on it..............IMHO
WORD! Any good gouge on the mustang parts "swap-ability" and casting number locale.... Also BMCDaniel how ya liking the T5? Mama and me were thinking the maverick would be one saucy little hot rod as a 5-speed.
Thanks OleRodder! My pleasure for helping keep the fight on their soil. And I been really seriously kicking around the 347 Plan but $$ is keeping me grounded for now. Right now is just plans for a little more cam and a shift kit for the C4. I do have a F-28 Edelbrock 2- 4bbl set up on it now (As i bought it that way) but yes ultimate plan is to go Stroker maybe 5-speed and maybe 9". But if an 8.8 will fit that may be good to keep $$ down and still get rear disks......have to have as much Whoa as you got Go!! And you can build a stout 8.8 with out going broke. Say are you al snowed out yet?! My folks live up the hill from you in Burney and said they got 25 inches yesterday in 24 hours.....I am originally from Cedarville Ca (Modoc Co.) but met a pretty girl from Kentucky and followed her home when I was in the Navy...
Works great. With the 3.89 gears and 4-speed I was turning 3400 rpm on the highway. Now it spins 1800 rpm at 55 mph in OD, likes to cruise at 70 mph and gets 23 mpg. 1st gear is pretty stiff, too.
