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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: galaxastang on February 01, 2013, 07:44:10 PM

Title: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 01, 2013, 07:44:10 PM
Hey guys,
        New here and to FE's. Just got a 67 Galaxie and what to gain some hp. Rebuilt stock 390 .30 over, have a chance to pick up a set of rebuilt (stock no work done)428cj heads C8OE-6090-N. He wants $800, good deal or not? Says one has slight water damage in small area from bad head gasket. I'll try to get pics, says it will clean up with milling. Also, the car came with a Lunati cam and lifter kit 00054LK, was going to used in the rebuild, but decided not to use it. It has a edelbrock rpm and 670 street avenger carb (needs headers). Rebuilt C6 shifts nice, but could use trans-go kit. Runs good, but I'm wanting a little more. Would these parts help wake it up? 
                                                                           Thanks 
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: jayb on February 01, 2013, 07:59:14 PM
Welcome aboard.  $800 isn't bad if they're ready to run.  If the heads on the engine now are basically stock, the CJ heads will make a 20-25 HP improvement.  The cam would help a lot too; what are the specs?  Does the car have headers?

Also FYI we have a forum policy of keeping questions about the values of parts in the classifieds section; the reason is that on some forums people will ask about a value as a way of putting the parts up for sale.  Obviously that was not your intent; just something to keep in mind. 
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: fe66comet on February 01, 2013, 08:22:24 PM
I started my first build this year too my advice is know where you want to end up before you start and have a picture of what you want to do with it when you are done. I kinda did it backwards and found a lot of surprises along the way.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 01, 2013, 08:32:11 PM
jayb,
     Sorry about that, I'll keep that in mind. The heads are ready to run I'm just worried about the small amount of water damage, will it hurt the head, it looks minor. What about bore notching, I here different things? Need it for the exhaust valve, but ok if your at .30 over or more?

Summit Racing Part Number: LUN-00054LK
UPC: 090127463864 Cam Style: Hydraulic flat tappet Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,500-5,000 Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 230 Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 230 Duration at 050 inch Lift: 230 int./230 exh. Advertised Intake Duration: 292 Advertised Exhaust Duration: 292 Advertised Duration: 292 int./292 exh. Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.554 in. Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.554 in. Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.554 int./0.554 exh. Lobe Separation (degrees): 109 Computer-Controlled Compatible: No Lifters Included: Yes Lifter Style: Hydraulic flat tappet

 No headers, looking for a set now that will work on the heads and 67 Galaxie. I will probably need a converter for that cam, wondering on stall, will have to call Lunati.  Will I need a adjustable rocker set up or will the stock valvetrain work for me?Thanks
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 01, 2013, 08:45:17 PM
fe66comet,
                 I'm not looking to get nuts, mostly street with some track fun. The cam came with the car so
I figured I'd work around it. I have a chance to get a set of heads that will help, that's right around the corner, so I won't have to worry about shipping. That's why I'm on here, to seek advice and knowledge. I've been away from cars a long time, I've owned three Harleys, but since sold them all to get back into cars. The Gal I just got and my 66 coupe 351C.
                        Thanks
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: jayb on February 01, 2013, 08:56:45 PM
If you can post a picture of the water damage on the heads that would help us figure out if its a problem.  But from your description its probably not an issue.

Headers would be a big help; I wouldn't bother with the heads unless you can bolt on headers at the same time.  I don't think you will need to notch the bores if the valves in the heads are stock CJ size.

That cam is also pretty mild, and probably would work OK with the stock converter.  I'd certainly give it a try before I went to an aftermarket converter.  I think you could probably use it with the stock valvetrain.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 01, 2013, 09:39:22 PM
Here's a pic of the damage, worse than I thought at second glance.
Hope you can open it said it was to big at fisrt, sorry computer illiterate! lol
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: ScotiaFE on February 01, 2013, 09:55:09 PM
Link's not working for me.

I run CJ heads on my 30 over 390 and do not have bore notch's.
It's been running fine for years now.
Well since your asking us to spend your money... ::)
You should buy the heads, put the cam in, get an Edelbrock RPM intake and headers and change the rear gear to a 3.50 or so.
Upgrade the dizzy to a electronic type with a good advance curve of about 36 total mechanical.
And a 750ish Holley.
That should about use up a money bag with the dollar sign on it. ::)
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 01, 2013, 10:17:44 PM
Scotiafe,
        I'll try again later to get a pic up, like I said computer illiterate. That's good I won't have to worry about notching, I have a edelbrock rpm already. I'll have to look into a 750 vac secondary I was thinking? It already has elec. distributor, will have to tune it, I believe it came with sets of springs to adjust. I also have another 9" from my previous Galaxie, 411 detroit locker, I can swap. May help with the cam instead of changing the converter. Yes-no? It's only money, can't take it with ya. Off to the show until tomorrow, Thanks all
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 02, 2013, 12:09:17 PM
Ok guys I think I have got the picture thing solved. Ok ok, my kids took care of it. Here we go. Do you guys think this is a problem? Thanks
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: fe66comet on February 02, 2013, 12:19:46 PM
Not at all it is not in the gasket surface just in the combustion area, I would give them a clean up anyhow though to true them up. Maybe .010 would give them a good clean surface for new composite gaskets or copper.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 02, 2013, 01:00:43 PM
I was so concerned I didn't realize it wasn't in the gasket surface. That's not enough material to need to match the intake or will new gaskets take care of that? 
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: jayb on February 02, 2013, 02:36:40 PM
I was so concerned I didn't realize it wasn't in the gasket surface. That's not enough material to need to match the intake or will new gaskets take care of that?

Not sure what you mean about matching the intake?  Are you going to cut the heads to try to get rid of some of that, and that is the reason for the matching the intake question?

I agree with Howie that the pitting will not affect  the head gasket seal, but in my opinion it would affect the value of the heads.  I don't think I'd pay $800 for them looking like that; $600 maybe.  Just my opinion...
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: fe66comet on February 02, 2013, 02:43:16 PM
I just suggested take a small amount off to clean the surface up and yes any amount can be adjusted with a gasket but 005 or 010 is really nothing if you are matching anyhow.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 02, 2013, 03:44:34 PM
jayb,
     That is the only spot on the heads with the pitting and yes, I just wanted to make sure milling the heads wouldn't affect the intake. I didn't think .010 was much, but want to be sure.  If you think the price is to high, what about a set of C4AE-6090-G machined for cj valves? I hear they are near the same after the valve work? I can get a set for near half the cj's with the valve already done.  Thanks guys                P.S.   streetmaster or rpm,  I have a rpm but a friend is willing to swap me his streetmaster
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: ScotiaFE on February 02, 2013, 04:34:39 PM
I'd keep the RPM, although the Streetmaster is kool.
When putting an intake on an FE you should always assume that it may need a small cut on the sides or bottom to fit right.
With the old blocks and heads being worked on over the last 50 years chances are somewhere along the path
someone did some cutting to the block or heads or intake.
Tough call on the CJ's over the C4's. Although the CJ's are little rough they are still usable, a fresh skim won't hurt them.
And when you open the hood you say "oh ya it's got real Cobra Jet heads".
That alone is bling points. :P

I agree with Jay. Pull out $600 and he may bit. lol
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: Heo on February 02, 2013, 04:47:31 PM
That cylinder have been standing with
wather in it for a wile the pitting is not
a big problem. But what about the valve
seats? Hard to tell from a photo but
i think those valves look deeply resesed
like in grinding the seats alot.
You loose a lot of lift there since the
valve dont start to flow much before
its over the roof of the combustion chamber
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: fe66comet on February 02, 2013, 05:38:03 PM
When I was at the cylinder head crossroad I figured the cost of the used head, hardened seats, new guides and three angle valve job. Then the cost of swirl polish reduced stem stainless valves and came up way over the cost of the Edelbrock RPM which flows better than the medium riser anyhow.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 02, 2013, 06:40:27 PM
Looks like I'm leaning more torwards the C4's. Those seats do look recessed, I have nothing to compare them to. I was told they were rebuilt from stock and never touched before.  I don't have the money for edel rpm's, but read there not that much better than the cj's other than weight loss.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: fe66comet on February 02, 2013, 07:02:32 PM
Yes the stock heads are heavy as hell. Another reason I went aluminum and if you intend on port work you will have to do it yourself as the noobs in the industry only do aluminium and most only know how to enter a program and have no concept of how to make a head flow. Depending on the age the heads also might have iron seats and will have to be machined to accept hardened ones to run unleaded fuel with the lack of cooling and lubrication lead offers. Another factor is guides, if they are 50 years old and have been rebuilt even once they will be knurled so your stem center to seat alignment will be all jacked up and knurled guide are just a ban aide only as your surface area is reduced to a bolt thread and the material has been reshape resulting in a soft metal and tends to break off.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 02, 2013, 07:22:35 PM
No porting, just trying to wake up the 390, with a good set of heads and the cam I have. Plus a few other goodies as stated earlier. Right now I want to find a good set and these cj's might not be it. The C4's will have new guides, hardened seats, cj valves, 600 lift springs etc. So maybe thats the route I should take.

I know it's not a very good pic, but any one else think the valve seats may be sunk?
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: fe66comet on February 02, 2013, 08:54:37 PM
Well if you can actually gain access to them measure the stem height from the spring seat that tells the whole story.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 02, 2013, 09:26:21 PM
I will try and do so, what kind of measurement am I looking to find or does it vary? I guess I'll have to look up some cj head specs to compare. I read laying a straight edge across all of the valve stem tips can get you rough idea, because intake valves don't recede like the exhaust. True, false, myth, wives tail?
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: Heo on February 03, 2013, 04:06:53 AM
A straight edge is a good start then you see if
the valves is at same height
Most times the seats are only grinded as much as
it takes to clean them up and if some are grinded
much the valve is higher than the other
Back in the stoneage when i was young there
was almost impossible to find a set of CJ heads
in Sweden and the story was that the C4 heads
was equal to the CJ heads if you changed valves
I dont know if its true
If you are low on money and the C4 heads are
cheaper have new valves, seats,guides.....
and its well made i would buy them and just
clean up the ports from flaws but im no expert
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: fe66comet on February 03, 2013, 10:32:00 AM
The actual.specs Jay would know I am kinda out of the game now and haven't done a valve job in a very long time. The specs will read from the top of the keeper groove to the spring seat. This takes out the equation of having the vale tipped.The seats themselves should not be recessed and.the valve should extend above into the chamber both intake.and exhaust. The reason some might say the exhaust is lower in the chamber I would guess is the fact that the exhaust wears quicker and erodes faster both on seat and valve face but both should be the same height new.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 03, 2013, 11:26:04 PM
Got an appointment to go inspect the heads Tuesday. I spoke to him of my concerns and he said he'll work with me on price. We'll see how it goes.   Anyone else have thoughts on rpm vs streetmaster? Thanks
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: jayb on February 03, 2013, 11:31:46 PM
The Performer RPM has more "bandwidth", so to speak, than the Streetmaster does.  Depends on what you are going to do with it.  They are very, very close to the same in performance from 350 - 450 HP.  Over that number I would give the advantage to the Performer RPM; that manifold performs really well all the way up to 600 HP or so.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 06, 2013, 06:12:51 PM
           Well, I went and checked out the heads yesterday. We talked cars, had a few beers and after expressing my concerns about the water damage and valve seats, I offered him $500 and to my surprise he shook my hand and said deal! After getting a better look at them the water damage is minor and should clean up fine. I ran them over to the speed shop I deal with and they said the valve seats are also in good shape. I left the heads with them for a once over and to replace the springs with ones that match the cam.
               
So with that, I have
.30 over 390
C80E-6090-N cj heads
swapping the performer with a rpm intake or maybe streetmaster?
keep the 670 street avenger or go with 750 vac. secondaries?
Looking at Sanderson shorty headers,  only ones I can afford right now, are they any good? any other suggestions?
I have a pertrinox elec. distributor, someone mentioned advaned curve of 36 total mechanical, any thoughts?
Cam: Summit Racing Part Number: LUN-00054LK
UPC: 090127463864 Cam Style: Hydraulic flat tappet Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,500-5,000 Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 230 Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 230 Duration at 050 inch Lift: 230 int./230 exh. Advertised Intake Duration: 292 Advertised Exhaust Duration: 292 Advertised Duration: 292 int./292 exh. Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.554 in. Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.554 in. Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.554 int./0.554 exh. Lobe Separation (degrees): 109 Computer-Controlled Compatible: No Lifters Included: Yes Lifter Style: Hydraulic flat tappet

Should I keep the stock  non adjustable rockers and get a set of end stands or go with adjustable?


I have a spare 9" with detroit locker & 4:11's I may swap in also.
Looking to wake her up and have some fun on the street! 
Well I guess that's it, any and all advice and info is greatly appreciated.  THANKS  Guys

Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: ScotiaFE on February 06, 2013, 06:48:16 PM
Sounds like a great plan.
I have basically the same combo in my green Fairlane. I have a Crane stick probably around those numbers or so.
It's been a while since I seen the card on it. lol
I have a old stock single dizzy (with oil cup...lol) convert to a pertronix and have 36* total mechanical, 12* initial.
I'd say your at the limit with stock non adjustables, adjustables are just that, adjustable.
The 670 may be tad small for WOT blasts, but for now it should do. Up grade as money dictates.
I run 3.25 gears with a wide ratio TL and all most always run on the highway.
4.11's will get you out of the hole fast, but you have to spin so fast to stay up with traffic (75 mph/120 kph) on the highway it's not fun.
I be dammed if all the Kia's and Hyundai's are going to pass me.
Just something to keep in mind if you plan a road trip.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 06, 2013, 07:12:28 PM
Thanks Scotiafe,
          I have a line on a good set of factory adj rockers and end stands for cheap.Not planning on any road trips, but I figured I'd rebuild my current 9" with 3:50 gears when it's out just in case I get the itch to roll to the shore.
Title: Re: 428cj heads $worth$
Post by: galaxastang on February 07, 2013, 12:02:01 PM
Anybody using the Sanderson shorty? reviews?

ScotiaFE, What headers are you running on your Fairlane?

Thanks