since we are going to get heads for her car, we are looking at the edelbrocks and trickflows.

since the car is her daily driver/ toy i was leaning towards the edelbrock 60859
i like the bigger valves, and seems like the port volume would make decent low end torque. car isn't going to be used for higher rpms and keeping the stock cam with RR's


can any head gasket be used with them? was thinking about the GM gasket
nal-10105117 which is .028 thick
seems like trickflow says to use felpros 039 or 041 thick gasket, and those gaskets say something about being able to be used for aluminum heads.
the eldebrock gasket is .038, but says for a 4.190 bore
the 1010 felpros are 4.160 and so are the 1003
the GM gasket is for 4.000 bore


does it really matter what head gasket is used?
also going to add 2055 shorties to help it breath some more

i think this should hopefully get us 20rwhp and hopefully increase low end response

 

i ordered the 1010 felpro gaskets and some various pushrod lengths and checker

ordered the earls header gasket as they look like they would seal better.
i have fel-pros at home, but i don't like the way the outter gasket ends look, looks extremly narrow.

i also ordered the crane gold series rockers too, wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any rocker issues.

ordered the 2055's (or will be as well)

hopefully they make a nice addition for the lower rpm range of driving.

being a pontiac person, i thought you SBC guys had it made. It's confusing as all helll.... WAYYYYYyyyy to many choices.... but that is a good thing

 

Don't quote me, but I think a few people had some problems with the felpro 1010 head gaskets (I don't think it was related to using them with aluminum or anything, just some defect). Might do a search on here about them. Maybe that problem is fixed now.

Also, if you decide to gasket match those heads, or port them, don't go crazy near the pushrod side of the ports, or you'll end up with thin-to-see through walls, which is quite un-desireable. Luckily, some fool stole those from me, but he also got an edelbrock base and runners, and waterpump.

2055's = good choice. Take a grinder to the flanges once you get it all fitted. The original opening in the ball flange is tiny, but I'm pretty sure they want you to open them up as necessary.

Check pushrod length with a special weak spring, or you might end up with a paperweight.

You might as well do a cam + timing chain set. I'd recommend something like a Crane 2032 (214 intake, with a wide LSA). Stock is in the 204-207 degree range, so it's a better cam, but not radical.

Good Luck!

 

I agree, odds are by now your timing chain is less then taunt. A new double roller and a mild cam will really help you see the gain from new heads. Something mild like a ZZ4 cam or so.

 

well, was kindda hoping to stick with the stock cam, but i've been re-thinking that.
where can i get specs on the stock cam?

the one thing i want to avoid is needing to reprogram/tune the ecm

plus the added expense right now
all this stuff is adding up

when i timed the motor, i didn't see any fluction in the timing mark, that is usually an indication of a slacky timing chain.

water pump was replaced last year (maybe 500 miles on it)

since it's a roller cam, lifters would have to be replaced right?
then after the cam, you start thinking convertor, then rear, then tires.....

right now thats a little out of the realm

great tips and advice, and appreaciated, just getting in deeper then i want right now
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would there be any alignment issues if i used the .028 gasket from GM or Mr Gasket?

i was concerned about the intake alignment/sealing

does the gasket bore size make much of a difference?

the GM one is 4.0
the others varied

the GM one is cheap too, but if i recall was useable for aluminum heads....

 

Factory gaskets are pretty thin so if the combustion chambers are the same size, and you havent done work to the block (as in its stock), you are going to lose compression with the thicker Fel Pro or similar gaskets. Add to that aluminum heads and you are really going to the negative side.

I'd run the GM .028

 

ok, i'll go for the 28 gasket, just concerned about intake alignment
i still have to order some stuff anyway

the trick flow heads we 56cc's, not sure if the 4cc's will really make that much of a difference, especially for our needs

 

i got the heads in, they look very nice
not bad at all

i'll investigate them more tomorrow
i didn't realize the 1010 felpro gasket was only one gasket
now i gotta get some, i'll order the GM .028
although that 1010 gasket seemed really thin too

i don't use any special sealants or anything do i?

i know to use antisize on bolt threads, do i do that for the intake bolts too?

MR gasket also says their 028 thick gasket is for almuminum heads

also ordered black GM valve covers, didn't realize it would on be one, thought it was a kit

oh well