Oops I cracked a head

Black-Sunshine · 02-08-2001, 10:59 PM

I have a 66 289. The stock head on the driver side has two cracks near the 1st two bolts. They appear to only leak to the outside of the head but it is possible a little coolant is getting into the combustion chambers. Any body have suggestions on where to look for new heads? I am looking for only modest performance gains over stock heads at a minimal cost. I have considered bidding on a set of heads through ebay but I wanted to get your input first.

Fostang · 02-08-2001, 11:30 PM

I'd go for some 351 windsor heads with 13/16" type of spark plugs. They are abundant at any wrecking yard around here I dont know about your area. A set can run around fifty bucks and a 3 angle vavle job and having them prepped for regular gas about 300 bucks. so for about 350 you'd have better performance on the budget.

Black-Sunshine · 02-09-2001, 12:40 AM

Thanks for the input. My only concern would be. Will my headers work with the 351W heads? and what exactly does the 351W head do that my stock heads don't? Besides not crack

Tom351 · 02-09-2001, 09:29 AM

The 351 heads will work with your headers, and they will flow more air than your 289 heads. You would want to deck them though so you don't lower your compression ratio. 69-74 351 heads have 1.84/1.54 valves opposed to 1.78/1.45 for 289 heads. I'm not sure off the top of my head about valve sizes in later 351 heads. Just deck the 351 heads and it is recommende that you use special washers (available from edelbrock) because 289/302 blocks use 7/16" head bolts while the 351 block (and heads) are made for 1/2"

------------------
67 Fastback - Arctic White Pearl paint
351W ,Trick Flow Aluminum Heads, Edelbrock TorkerII, Comp. Cam, Performance Automatic C-4 Trans, 3.55 gears, Front Disc Brakes, 1-1/8" Fr. 3/4" rear sway bars.

My 351W Fastback

02-08-2001, 10:59 PM	#1
Black-Sunshine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Laguna Niguel Ca Posts: 46	Oops I cracked a head I have a 66 289. The stock head on the driver side has two cracks near the 1st two bolts. They appear to only leak to the outside of the head but it is possible a little coolant is getting into the combustion chambers. Any body have suggestions on where to look for new heads? I am looking for only modest performance gains over stock heads at a minimal cost. I have considered bidding on a set of heads through ebay but I wanted to get your input first.

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02-08-2001, 11:30 PM	#2
Fostang Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Stockton, Ca Posts: 599	I'd go for some 351 windsor heads with 13/16" type of spark plugs. They are abundant at any wrecking yard around here I dont know about your area. A set can run around fifty bucks and a 3 angle vavle job and having them prepped for regular gas about 300 bucks. so for about 350 you'd have better performance on the budget.

02-09-2001, 12:40 AM	#3
Black-Sunshine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Laguna Niguel Ca Posts: 46	Thanks for the input. My only concern would be. Will my headers work with the 351W heads? and what exactly does the 351W head do that my stock heads don't? Besides not crack

02-09-2001, 09:29 AM	#4
Tom351 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Atlanta,GA,USA Posts: 278	The 351 heads will work with your headers, and they will flow more air than your 289 heads. You would want to deck them though so you don't lower your compression ratio. 69-74 351 heads have 1.84/1.54 valves opposed to 1.78/1.45 for 289 heads. I'm not sure off the top of my head about valve sizes in later 351 heads. Just deck the 351 heads and it is recommende that you use special washers (available from edelbrock) because 289/302 blocks use 7/16" head bolts while the 351 block (and heads) are made for 1/2" ------------------ 67 Fastback - Arctic White Pearl paint 351W ,Trick Flow Aluminum Heads, Edelbrock TorkerII, Comp. Cam, Performance Automatic C-4 Trans, 3.55 gears, Front Disc Brakes, 1-1/8" Fr. 3/4" rear sway bars. My 351W Fastback