posted 03-30-2000 01:41 AM            

I don't want to overbuild the engine since it's a daily driver and my gas milage sucks already. I just want to improve on what's already there.

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Troy

1970 Mach 1 351C

posted 03-30-2000 11:52 AM            

One good power change for you folks with the open chamber heads would be to swap to the quench chamber heads. Daniel Jones just did an excellent write-up on one of the other threads on the difference between the two. There is probably a 30-50 horsepower difference, especially when you take into account the addition compression you can run without preignition problems.

But one thing you need to keep in mind if you run the 4V heads, either the open or quench heads, is that those ports and valves were engineered for high rpm use. If you are running gear ratios higher {numerically lower} than the 4s you are keeping the motor out of it's power band. Lose those 3.70s.

Boss66, I run the same cam you do. You probably notice how the motor revs once you get above 3000-3500. The 351C is a 3000-8000 motor. With low gears you hardly notice the low end softness most Cleveland guys complain about.

If you want to cruise with your Cleveland, and don't want the low gears, then use the 2V heads. Preferably the Australian 2V quench heads. These are the best street heads for the Cleveland.

I recently spotted an ad in the back of a Mustang magazine for a place that sells complete 351C Australian 2V quench heads.

They are Power Heads out of Fullerton, California, telephone 714-992-4909, {they didn't list a web address in their ad} and the prices are $975 for an assembled pair, and $1325 for ported and flowed.

I haven't heard of these guys before, maybe others here have, so check them out before you order, of course.

But, that seems like a good price to me.

You can make the standard 351C 2V work, but they are open chambered heads.

Troy, these Australian heads would be perfect for you, giving you better low end power and much better fuel economy.

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SteveLaRiviere/Administrator
'72 Mustang Sprint 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac-Loc
'72 Torino 351C 2V/C4/2.75 Open
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC/CD4E

posted 03-31-2000 01:49 AM            

I want to go to electronic ignition but have a hard time deciding on the best setup. Any advice? Keep in mind that my car is a daily driver and not a 1/4 mile racer.

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Troy

1970 Mach 1 351C

posted 03-31-2000 02:32 AM            

They are worth about $US 50 pr here from a wrecker..... maybe I should enquire about freight costs to the US?

posted 03-31-2000 07:09 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alex:
Hey Steve, you reckon $US 1000 for Aussie heads?? Are they ported with good valves & springs etc, or is that a price for a used pair from a wrecker??

They are worth about $US 50 pr here from a wrecker..... maybe I should enquire about freight costs to the US?

We're only paying about $US 300 (upwards) for 4V heads, depending on condition.

---

Alex, the ad says $975 for an assembled pair, and $1325 for ported and flowed. {sorry about that, I left it out of my original post.}

If you can get them for $50US and ship them here for a reasonable price, you could sell boat loads of them.

What would it cost to send a pair of heads to the US?

posted 04-02-2000 07:28 PM            

Isn't it strange how companies with web sites don't include them in their ads? Dumb.

Anyway, this web site have a nice section on what these folks do with the Australian heads.

Here's what you get for the $975;

"Specifications

2.19 X 1.71 Forged Stainless Steel Hi-Flow Valves

Chrome Moly Retainers - Heavy Duty Locks

.550 Lift High Performance Spring Package

Hardened Chrome Moly Exhaust Seat Inserts

Screw In Studs with Guide Plate Assembly

Solid Bronze-Manganese Replacement Guides

Smaller High Velocity 2-V Intake Ports

Small 62cc "Quench" Combustion Chambers

Thicker Decks Designed to Handle More Power"

This sounds pretty good to me.

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SteveLaRiviere/Administrator
'72 Mustang Sprint 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac-Loc
'72 Torino 351C 2V/C4/2.75 Open
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC/CD4E

posted 04-03-2000 11:47 PM            

Shipping is far cheaper and faster than I expected, I'm getting quotes of about $A 400, say $US 300 for shipping and takes only about 5 weeks port to port. That doesn't include courier costs to and from the port at each end. Also doesn't include packaging, and they warned me that the freight people are really rough.... Also I expect there will be some hidden costs that they don't tell you about 'till you actually get down there with your credit card...

The bad news is that that is a price per 1000 kg or m^3. Well, I guess I can send less than that. But, really it's not practiacal for me to start sending pairs of heads over to individuals. I'd need to send a whole m^3 of stuff to somebody who can distribute at your end. Possibly a couple of black blocks, 2V closed heads, 302 C rods, whatever (I can't think of anything else can you?).

I'm also not sure about how the customs stuff works, taxation etc. Anyone work in freight etc?

posted 04-04-2000 10:55 PM            

Basically the minimum weight they charge for is a ton, or about 2000 pounds. That'll cost about $US 300. If I send less weight, eg one pair of heads at 100 lbs, it still costs $300. So the more heads I send the cheaper they'll be.

But it's going to be expensive and lots of stuffing about, and I'd need to see some genuine commitment from your end before I start hunting around wrecking yards. I've been through this before with another guy in the US. Lots of e-mails and nice talk, but when it came to actually putting some money down and making it happen.... well it didn't.

Sorry to be so abrupt!

posted 04-05-2000 08:59 PM            

Sorry guys - I'd love to be able to get a pair of heads to you for 50 bucks, but I just can't figure out a way to do it - my name's not Father Christmas!

I got out an atlas last night, we really are pretty much on opposite sides of the globe, especially your east coast. Even different hemispheres.

posted 04-05-2000 09:30 PM            

Thanks for the numbers, when I get a few minutes I'll do some crunching. The idea may not be dead yet.

Are there American parts you'd be interested in?

posted 04-05-2000 09:52 PM            

Complete cars also get brought in. Mostly Mustangs and 'vetts. They buy cheap but complete cars in the US and strip them down and rebuild them. They need to do a stearing conversion anyway (we drive on the other side). That's why you can't get any sort of registerd Mustang here under $US 10 K. Double that for a good one.

Anyway, like you said, the idea's not completely dead, but reality bites hey? We'd need to identify very rare and preferrably light weight parts that have a high value and see what's possible.