Need some advise on heads

traxscr

traxscr

Forum Member
Ok, I have a 1977 351Windsor, it has been bored .04 over and has a cam in it. Not sure what size the cam is, I did not do the build and I have not torn the engine down far enough to see. I am looking at buying some new heads, pushrods, rockers and lifters. What size and type of heads would be the best bang for the buck. I was looking at trick flow, spoke with them and they recomend TFS-51400015 heads with TFS-51400520 1.6 rockers. They told me I will need to measure the push rod length. How do I do that. I don't want to change the engine to a roller, is it really worth changing to roller rockers?

Thanks Steve
 
what are your goals for the build?
and to measure the push rod length do a quick google search and there are plenty of how to's available. its a fairly easy process.
 
You need to get an adjustable pushrod... Also called a pushrod checker. Changing to roller rockers does not mean your changing it to a "roller motor". Roller motors refer to the type of cam shaft and lifter (not sure if thats what you thiught or not). If it's a street car I would stay around 180cc runners and would not go bigger then 200cc. My personal opinion from real world experience and work experience is that Trick Flows heads are garbage, especially that twisted wedge junk. I do however think there raised runner heads are decent, but that type of head is not what your after.
 
camaromann said:
You need to get an adjustable pushrod... Also called a pushrod checker. Changing to roller rockers does not mean your changing it to a "roller motor". Roller motors refer to the type of cam shaft and lifter (not sure if thats what you thiught or not). If it's a street car I would stay around 180cc runners and would not go bigger then 200cc. My personal opinion from real world experience and work experience is that Trick Flows heads are garbage, especially that twisted wedge junk. I do however think there raised runner heads are decent, but that type of head is not what your after.
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The Trick flows are better than they used to be. But be aware with the trick flows you will be limited to cam lift, as the offset valves aren't a standard configuration. Depending on goals, i would look into edelbrock, or AFR. Just so you don't have to deal with a piston to valve issues as much. But no matter what you do the clearance will need to be checked.
 
I checked out 3 different pairs of their heads last year at work. Dry bench tested, wet bench tested, and back to back dyno'd on the same exact motor mixed in with other brands of heads....... I don't think they are the worst, but do to their hype, they for sure are a let down.
 
dudek said:
what are your goals for the build?
and to measure the push rod length do a quick google search and there are plenty of how to's available. its a fairly easy process.
Click to expand...
Looking for a nice street/strip engine with 350hp plus.


Billydroveit said:
The Trick flows are better than they used to be. But be aware with the trick flows you will be limited to cam lift, as the offset valves aren't a standard configuration. Depending on goals, i would look into edelbrock, or AFR. Just so you don't have to deal with a piston to valve issues as much. But no matter what you do the clearance will need to be checked.
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Ok, if I go with Edelbrock or AFR, which ones should I get. I am also using a Holley 650 double pumper carb. MSD ignition, MSD coil, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake
 
traxscr said:
Looking for a nice street/strip engine with 350hp plus.



Ok, if I go with Edelbrock or AFR, which ones should I get. I am also using a Holley 650 double pumper carb. MSD ignition, MSD coil, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap intake
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If 350 is the goal, use performer RPM or AFR 180's. They will be a bit much for the current combo, but will still get your goals, with tons of room to expand with them later.

Both heads SHOULD use a standard pushrod, just buy hardened ones after you measure/make sure they work. You can use a rocker from Comp Cams, Or scorpion makes a nice piece for the money.
 
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camaromann said:
I checked out 3 different pairs of their heads last year at work. Dry bench tested, wet bench tested, and back to back dyno'd on the same exact motor mixed in with other brands of heads....... I don't think they are the worst, but do to their hype, they for sure are a let down.
Click to expand...

When they first came out they were huge piles of scrap IMO. Thier giudes were junk, and the HP difference were never enough for me to justify the pistons. They have since fixed the guide issue, but i still have a hard time with teh piston issue. But there are TONS of them on teh market, and can be had relatively cheap. And with some clean up work they do work very well. Thier Hi Ports work very well though!

For a street car i still love Edelbrock. Price is right, quality head, and room to grow. We used to have a true 302 back in teh day with a set (RPM's) that were worked over that ran 9.6X in a 2680Lb car with some juice. I think AFR will be my next head for my next car.
 
I like the twisted wedge heads. I have used them from 300hp to 1300hp. They work on big and small engines. They are not the best out there, but they do work well. Back when I was using them on a stock 302 short block, you could get away with a lot more cam than you could with other 2.02 valved heads, because of the placement of the intake valve. You MUST check valvetrain geometry when using them, back in the day people would just bolt them on and not check and they would have big problems from using the wrong length pushrods.

There is a used set on here for $800.
 
. You MUST check valvetrain geometry when using them said:
Which is exactly why there were sooo many guide problems. Yes, the materials were marginal, but if you got the geometry set-up right, the guides would last fine.

I still think Billydroveit has the right idea: Edelbrock. For your goals, this is the most hassle-free route to take.
Even so, take the time to do all your valve train checks BEFORE firing it up.
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Well this is my plan as of today. I am going to use Edelbrock Victor Jr heads (77199), Edelbrock RPM AirGap intake (7581), Harland Sharp Roller Rockers 1.6 (S4102), Comp Cam High Enrgy Hydraulic Lifters (832-16) Holley Ultra Carb 4150 650CFM (0-76650RD), Edelbrock Victor Series High Volume Water Pump (8848), March Underdrive Pulleys (30385). I don't know what cam is currently in the engine, I need to measure the lift before I buy pushrods.
 
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