Moparts

Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run?

Posted By: hp383

Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/08/21 10:16 PM

I am considering investing in some aluminum heads. The cost to rework the 452 or 906 heads I have may be better put towards a set of aluminum.

But, does anyone sell a ready to bolt on a go aluminum head? I know several sell complete heads, but I have seen many posts about having to have them torn apart and checked, or reworked before they can actually be used.

I know Edelbrock, 440source, and one other company (the name escapes me) sell complete heads, I just want to be sure I spend wisely if I go that route.
Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/08/21 10:32 PM

10’s of thousands of heads are pulled out of the box every year and ran, mostly with good results. Would I do it?? ? Heck no but then again I can check my own stuff. I had a buddies set of ProMax small block heads partially apart and was impressed enough to call him and talk to him. They are bought as rare as possible and done in-house but then again this was 4-5 years ago. The valve jobs and guilds were beautiful on these heads but I didn’t check every hole as it was a freebe job. TrickFlow stuff is very nice too but someone on this site just found a crack
Posted By: FastmOp

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/08/21 11:07 PM

I know plenty of people who bought 440source heads and just bolted them on and ran great
Posted By: merpar

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/08/21 11:18 PM

Without a doubt, Trick Flow heads. If someone claims a crack in a trick flow head I would want to see evidence. I hate hearsay. For street use the 240 are great already CNC ported and ready to run.
Posted By: GY3

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/08/21 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by merpar
Without a doubt, Trick Flow heads. If someone claims a crack in a trick flow head I would want to see evidence. I hate hearsay. For street use the 240 are great already CNC ported and ready to run.


Pictures were posted.
Posted By: justinp61

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/08/21 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by merpar
Without a doubt, Trick Flow heads. If someone claims a crack in a trick flow head I would want to see evidence. I hate hearsay. For street use the 240 are great already CNC ported and ready to run.


No hearsay.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthread...ick-flow-190-heads-fail.html#Post2931285
Posted By: topside

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 01:42 AM

I'm not sure anyone makes a major component that I would just bolt on & go.
Anything worth doing is worth checking over and making sure it's right.
Posted By: B3422W5

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 02:10 AM

Dwayne has told me before he would have no issues running Trick flow stuff. Guides tend to be a hair snug, but well within spec. Ready to bolt on out of the box...
Posted By: LA360

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 02:30 AM

The BBM Trickflow stuff I have seen has been pretty good.
Posted By: furious70

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 02:31 AM

bigger question is can you find anything that you can actually buy right now!
Posted By: DusterKid

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 11:36 AM

I've bought 440 source stealth heads back in 2009 or so. Ran for a year than upgraded to 10 degree locks. Around 2014/15 or so than had them hand ported and new valve springs installed since I had 3 inner springs that were broken. Ran them another handful of years til I Bought a set of Trick Flow 240s in 2019. My dad bought a a set of Trick Flow 190s this past winter. We've also had 2 sets of small black Edelbrock RPM heads that have been issue free. We do give the heads a good visual look over, but don't tear them completely apart. We go to 20+ races a year so we run our stuff. Would it be a bad idea to tear stuff down and check out everything out, absolutely not, but I'm sure there's more guys that bolt them right on than have them checked out.
Posted By: Chargerfan68

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 12:44 PM

I sent a pair of Trick Flow 240’s to Dwayne to check out and inspect.....he said they were good to go the way they were. Guides were right on. Springs, retainers and locks...high quality. They are running as expected.....very well.

I have also run RPMs since 2004 and changed springs to suit my cams, and they are still running great till this day.

And, i have a set of 440 Source non-cnc ported heads that i changed out all the hardware and springs for an upgrade. Those are home ported and also run great.
Posted By: 6PakBee

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by topside
I'm not sure anyone makes a major component that I would just bolt on & go.
Anything worth doing is worth checking over and making sure it's right.


This man gets it.
Posted By: ZIPPY

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 01:55 PM

I thought the Edelbrock Victor JR 426 Hemi heads were pretty nice.
Stem to guide clearance seemed a little loose which I guess I'd prefer to too tight.

The only thing I didn't care for was a few of the spark plug holes were tapped
a little bit roughly. A few plug changes will naturally chase the threads so it is no big deal,
but it seemed almost like the machine was running too fast, the tap needed
to be replaced, or something like that. But no big deal.

They're for a different engine and nobody has them in stock anyway, so I'll crawl back under my rock.
Posted By: moparx

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 04:06 PM

i wouldn't take a chance on having "a few spark plug changes" taking care of suspicious plug threads.
a plug chasing tap [not a "cutting/making threads" tap] is cheap, and i would use one to clean up the threads before i put in plugs. especially on aluminum heads.
beer
Posted By: merpar

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 04:40 PM

I have been humbled. I seen the post with pics of the small block Trick Flow head with the casting crack after my reply.
Posted By: fast68plymouth

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 10:31 PM

Here’s a little perspective.......

Think of all the aftermarket heads GMPP sells.

Think of all the crate engines GMPP sells.

Do you think they have a team of people “going through” their head assemblies before installing them on those crate engines?
And many of those crate engines are sealed engines for use in various oval track series.

Right out of the crate and into the race car.

There are several series in this area that use them. It’s pretty rare for them to ever have a problem with a cylinder head that isn’t owner induced(severely overheated).

It’s one thing to have the heads gone thru if you looking for a little more performance, and some modifications will be performed.

And you may even find a little thing or two you don’t love......... but it’s pretty rare to find something that would actually cause a “problem”.

Generally, if the spring package installed on whatever heads you’re looking at is suitable for the cam you’ll be using........it’s not crazy to use them ootb.

Through the years, I’ve seen the occasional “prepped” heads where I felt like they were likely better before the “prep”.

The fact is, not all machine shops produce top quality work....... that’s just the way it is.
So, depending on where you’re having the work done........ they may end up better than ootb....... then again, maybe they won’t.
Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/09/21 11:28 PM



But yet it happens. Do ya feel lucky? Well do yaaaaa.
Posted By: justinp61

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/10/21 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by pittsburghracer


But yet it happens. Do ya feel lucky? Well do yaaaaa.


A man's got to know his limitations.
Posted By: Twostick

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/10/21 01:30 AM

My RPMs were ok as far as guides and installed heights went but the valve job was awful. Not won't run awful but nothing that was going to live long term as far as street miles were concerned.

Kevin
Posted By: metallicareload

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/10/21 02:11 AM

I bolted on my TrickFlow 240 heads out of the box drive
Posted By: an8sec70cuda

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/10/21 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by fast68plymouth

The fact is, not all machine shops produce top quality work....... that’s just the way it is.


Aint that the truth! I have 3 engine projects going right now. Two of them were brought to me after work had already begun. Guess which is the only one that hasn't had to have corrective machining and/or major parts replacement done? It's shameful the quality of work that some shops churn out. The machine shop I use is more expensive than some others around here, but it's well worth it.
I can't imagine bolting an engine together w/o measuring EVERYTHING properly. The mentality of looking both ways before crossing a one way street applies here, lol.
Posted By: mgoblue9798

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/11/21 03:48 PM

No way would I install a set of heads now without checking them out first. It is to the point now that I am taking new out of the box hydraulic lifters and oil pumps apart checking and cleaning them before using. Things are a mess as far as parts go.
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/11/21 05:10 PM

I've bought and used a bunch of new and used heads, none of the new ones, Indy, Edlebrocks or 440 Source had to issues with the guides and valve stems being to tight shock
Maybe I've been lucky shruggy
Or maybe not anal enough work
Posted By: YO7_A66

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/12/21 03:34 AM

""But, does anyone sell a ready to bolt on and go aluminum head?""

I bought a set of Sidewinder heads from Todd which were advertised as ready to run. I bolted them on and I have had zero issues. I think that if you buy them from a pro vendor who advertises them as ready to go, you should be fine. But I would not buy a complete set of heads from a parts store and assume that they are ready to run.
Posted By: powertrip

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/12/21 01:02 PM


Bought a set of heads for my son's engine from a large volume rebuilder. They looked pretty out of the box, and the valvejob was actually decent. But all of the dirt and blasting grit in every single hole would have quickly destroyed the freshened engine.

I check, measure, blueprint, and clean every single part.

That's also why it takes me forever to get my stuff done.
Posted By: powertrip

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/12/21 01:05 PM

On the flip side, I have bought heads from 440 Source, Edelbrock, and ProMaxx that after a quick check were ready to go.
Posted By: dthemi

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/15/21 12:30 PM

Trick flow are the nicest finished in the box head I have ever seen. I see them for Ford at engine systems all the time, and a couple mopes here and there. Every set I've seen look like the next. Very high quality VJ, and guide work. Most box heads make me nervous enough to pull them apart to check. Not TF. I think summit owns them now so no lack of funding.

Just for reference, a friend just bought a set of INDY hemi heads complete. I'll post a pic of how bad the VJ was. Took sinking the valve .03!!! to fix them. Most were only contacting the seats about half way around. Like they did the guides after the VJ lol.

The valve only made contact where the sharpe mark is. I guess that's indy's variable compression option. Increase spring pressure till the valve seats

Attached picture IMG_3458.jpg
Posted By: fast68plymouth

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/15/21 01:45 PM

It took me a minute to see exactly what’s going on there....... then I could see the lap line.

That’s pretty “nice”.
Posted By: Twostick

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/15/21 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by dthemi
Trick flow are the nicest finished in the box head I have ever seen. I see them for Ford at engine systems all the time, and a couple mopes here and there. Every set I've seen look like the next. Very high quality VJ, and guide work. Most box heads make me nervous enough to pull them apart to check. Not TF. I think summit owns them now so no lack of funding.

Just for reference, a friend just bought a set of INDY hemi heads complete. I'll post a pic of how bad the VJ was. Took sinking the valve .03!!! to fix them. Most were only contacting the seats about half way around. Like they did the guides after the VJ lol.

The valve only made contact where the sharpe mark is. I guess that's indy's variable compression option. Increase spring pressure till the valve seats


I sent this to my machinist. He has a failed Hemi build in the shop now with a set of Indy heads just like that.

He thought the previous hacker that built the engine had produced that kind of work. I told him they probably came out of the box like that. He's a firm believer in if it comes out of a box, it's fk'd up but would not believe you could buy something THAT messed up.

Kevin
Posted By: AndyF

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 06/15/21 11:46 PM

Indy is infamous for their horrible valve jobs. I think most engine builders have learned by now that Indy ships heads complete just to save space. They don't intend the heads to be run out of the box, they assume that you'll take them apart and have them machined properly before putting them back together. Trick Flow heads come ready to run out of the box although it doesn't hurt to pull them apart and double check everything.
Posted By: BadFishy

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 08/09/21 03:00 AM

In case you're still looking, consider Marsh Performance Sidewinder heads. I got a set last winter. Took me YEARS to decide to pull the trigger and do what you are considering. Todd the machine shop owner is very good to work with and swapped out the springs to what I wanted at no charge. I did pay extra for him to bowl blend and clean up the castings. The fact that this was going to be done at his machine shop before being sent to me was the dealmaker. This combination is becoming hard to find, at least in Florida anyway. My very picky and knows his stuff engine man was impressed with the heads. He didn't need to re-do anything.

Wow, what a difference in performance from the plain ol' 3 angle valve job 452's that were on her before! I am very happy.

Take a look. Mighty pretty, huh?!


Attached picture IMG_8559.jpeg
Posted By: jwb123

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 08/09/21 03:35 AM

I would never run any heads out of the box without checking them, aftermarket or OEM for that matter. I have one of the old sioux vacuum testers to check valve seal, you would be surprised how many new heads will not hold a vacuum. Funny thing is they all hold a vacuum after I touch up the seats. And I see lots of spring pressure ranges, cheap aftermarket to expensive, especially with a flat tappet camshaft, you have to verify the spring pressures. And I am relating issues that people bring me to fix after the fact. So I don't see I guess the ones that work out of the box, mainly the ones that don't.
Posted By: dart games

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 08/09/21 09:52 AM

bad fishy,those marsh heads looks like mopar performance p5153524,on another note has anyone used these mp heads before
Posted By: 340Cuda

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 08/09/21 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by AndyF
Indy is infamous for their horrible valve jobs. I think most engine builders have learned by now that Indy ships heads complete just to save space. They don't intend the heads to be run out of the box, they assume that you'll take them apart and have them machined properly before putting them back together. Trick Flow heads come ready to run out of the box although it doesn't hurt to pull them apart and double check everything.

Andy,
Is this still true since the new owners took over?
Thanks,
Bill
Posted By: BadFishy

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 08/10/21 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by 69b1dart
bad fishy,those marsh heads looks like mopar performance p5153524,on another note has anyone used these mp heads before


They’re not MP - no MP casting number. Pretty sure they are the same castings as ProMaxx, but not stamped as ProMaxx on the ends.
Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 08/10/21 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by BadFishy
Originally Posted by 69b1dart
bad fishy,those marsh heads looks like mopar performance p5153524,on another note has anyone used these mp heads before


They’re not MP - no MP casting number. Pretty sure they are the same castings as ProMaxx, but not stamped as ProMaxx on the ends.





ProMax buys their heads as raw as possible and they do their own seat, valve guides, and valve job work. I had a set of small block heads on my flowbench that a friend bought and they are very nice.
Posted By: 451Mopar

Re: Aluminum Heads - Does anyone sell a true ready to run? - 08/14/21 02:57 PM

I would say if it is an unported head, then they should be cleaned and checked.
Usually just a bit of port cleanup and good valve job will improve airflow quite a bit.

The Trick Flow heads are CNC ported and they were good out of the box.
The Koffels ported B1 B/S heads were good out of the box.
The Hughes Engines Ported Max wedge Victors were good out of the box.
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