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Author
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Topic: Edelbrock heads/drilling steam holes
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65driver
Gearhead Posts: 245
From: Syracuse, NY
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 02-25-2002 08:47 PM
 
I just got off the phone with Summit, wanting to order a set of Edlebrock Performer RPM heads for my 289. They said I would have to drill steam holes in the block, or I would "toast the head gaskets". The said for a pre-'72 block, this is required! Is this true? If so, how is it done?
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 3058
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 02-25-2002 09:11 PM
The Edelbrock heads have that big circular steam hole groove machined into them that allows them to work with all the existing blocks and head gaskets. Edelbrock made them "idiot proof". AFR does this as well.  Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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65driver
Gearhead Posts: 245
From: Syracuse, NY
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 02-25-2002 09:28 PM
So, no drilling or anything. Just bolt on and go, basically. I have been known to do idiotic things myself once in a while! What the heck was the Summit guy talking about?
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9835
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 02-25-2002 10:01 PM
I would check your head gaskets on the heads and the block to make sure the steam ports line up before bolting everything up.  SteveW
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ccode67
Gearhead Posts: 3285
From: douglasville,ga,usa
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 02-26-2002 07:12 AM
If you are running a 289, you WILL have to drill the hole, the instructions for the heads have detailed guides to do this. It's no big deal, an 1/8 hole drilled through the deck into the water jacket.
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 4777
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-26-2002 08:26 AM
Drilling the steam holes is required for early blocks. I've got Trick Flow heads going on an early block, I'll have to drill out the steam holes too. Just like ccode67 said... detailed instructions ought to be included... probably use a head gasket as a layout template[This message has been edited by V8 Thumper (edited 02-26-2002).]
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65driver
Gearhead Posts: 245
From: Syracuse, NY
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 02-26-2002 07:33 PM
If you drill the block, what about all the filings that go into the water jacket? What happens to them? Also, I just called AFR about their heads, and they said that there is no drilling the block. Just bolt on and go. I am confused! [This message has been edited by 65driver (edited 02-26-2002).]
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 4777
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-26-2002 10:57 PM
Well, I see it this way:Big-time manufacturers (AFR included) hire professionals to develop their product and have invested tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more) in R&D. They know more about the product than you or I ever will, so go with what the manufactuer recommends. It's their a** something goes wrong with the product, but it's your a** if you don't follow their procedure. Just my $.02
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9835
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 02-26-2002 11:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 65driver:
If you drill the block, what about all the filings that go into the water jacket? What happens to them? I am confused! [This message has been edited by 65driver (edited 02-26-2002).]
Whatever filings fall into the water jackets will turn into iron oxide eventually. No big deal. SteveW
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 3058
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 02-27-2002 05:32 PM
Here's a picture of the head's deck with the steam hole groove. This groove sweeps across the steam hole region, and allows the head to work on all blocks WITHOUT drilling.This particular head is an AFR, but Edelbrock does the same thing.  Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 29200
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-27-2002 06:26 PM
Consider the filings as a good "stop leak". ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator/ non 65-66 Mustang owner sensitivity co-ordinator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Part time secret agent license #0089
US Class Nationals link
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65driver
Gearhead Posts: 245
From: Syracuse, NY
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 02-27-2002 09:00 PM
Thanks for all the info. BTW, I spoke with AFR several times, got right through on their tech line, and their tech folks were very helpful. I have emailed and called the Edlebrock tech folks several times, and have yet to get through. The AFR folks offered to change the springs on the heads to match my cam, explained their casting methods, and were great to deal with. I think I am going to go with the AFRs.
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