The Great 351 Cleveland Head Dilemma...an ongoing saga

 Well, I sold off my old open chamber heads for a few hundred bucks which I think was a very good deal as they had new valve springs and had been machined and so forth. (The guy buying them actually ripped me off fifty bucks but I should have counted the money) I haven't contacted my mechanic on this decision I made as I think he will believe I have gone troppo, but after hearing so many negatives against using the open chamber heads, I couldn't stand the thought of using them.

I was heavily influenced by George Reid's classic book  " Ford 351 Cleveland Engines: How to Build for Max Performance" and found the section on heads particularly interesting. George goes so far as to suggest the open chamber heads are bin worthy. And from what I am learning, there appears to be a lot of support in what he is stating. George talked about CHI heads; an Australian company that is quietly producing one of the most respected alloy heads in the world.

CHI might have the best head, but their website is nothing special. Once you get over the coding error messages, you can dig up some of what this company is offering. Bottom line is, to get any information about these heads, you are going to have to pick up the phone and call. I've been looking at their 3v heads; regarded by George as an outstanding option for good horsepower. The link to the site is here

So, why haven't I got a set of these already stashed away ready to go? Well, it comes down to one big thing: money. These heads costs big dollars, and remember, I got severely ripped off by that sheep humping turd from Barrack Heights last year, and the pathetic NCAT officer who thought the sun shone out of his greasy butt crack. I am several grand down in the pocket with nothing to show for it except some piss poor welding effort and a bad taste that lingers in my mouth like I'd been living on a diet of eating other people's old socks. I'm not sure how much they go for, but we're talking 3 grand and up for bare stuff. Still, nothing truer in the world than that old adage which states "you get what you pay for."

So, naturally, I started thinking about alternatives, such as the Aussie 2v closed chamber heads found on the 302 Cleveland. I won't bore you to tears talking about the benefits or otherwise of these heads, but the bottom line is, if I pick up a set of these heads, they are probably gonna need a freshen up anyway, so unless I can pick a set up cheaply (and they are not expensive- just getting a little hard to find nowadays) they're not really a viable option. A decent set of 2v 302 CC heads generally goes for under $500 and they're probably gonna need work.

So, then I started thinking about why those sexy looking alloy heads you find on eBay are so cheap, and a quick little fly around Google will tell you they are made in China and they are called Pro Comp heads. George Reid actually has a story to tell about these heads, and it's quite a promising one. However, a skim through YouTube (AdTube) channels will have you convinced otherwise. The main consensus I have discovered is that you should steer clear of them, even if they sell like hot cakes. At the very least, buy only a blank head and  get your machinist to clean it up and fill it full of brand name goodies. Of course, once you start adding the costs up of doing that it can get very expensive. 

Almost to a stage of saying, well, those CHI heads really are a decent valued item.

Here's an example of the Pro Comp heads. They are also branded as Speedmaster Heads. There is no doubt in my mind they look sexier than an old rusted out set of 4v or 2v heads. Plus they weigh a hell of a lot less and the advantages of alloy are well known. How can anyone go wrong with a head that costs $500 This particular head is the 3V variety. Specifically: Ford 302 351C Cleveland 220cc 64cc Aluminium Bare Cylinder Head

PCE281.1703 It's Chinese, and if you have ever tried to bolt Chinese stuff up, it's a hit and miss proposition. For instance, I bought a Daytona Engine Stand recently and two of the bolts just would not thread up. Had to duck down to the engineering shop and buy real bolts. 

So, I am a little apprehensive with forking out money for these and finding they are nothing but shiny, lightweight boat anchors (that are not even good for boat anchors.) 

Pavtek Performance have another option that sounds appealing. They offer a well respected 2v heavily modded cast iron head for $3400 that includes all the goody bits already assembled. Feasturize on this

They offer a complete package for the same asking price as a set of bare CHI heads. 

Then, the other day, I was browsing through Facebook marketplace and found a set of bare Nason heads. These heads are apparently NOT Procomp heads, but made in store. (There is some fierce debate about this on a Facebook page in which some people are adamant these are ProComp heads. Either way, they offer a cast iron 4v head with similar configuration to the famous 4v of yore. Their website is here and a post from their Facebook page has the following information:

Decisions, decisions....

Which one should I go with? 

When you get screwed by a dipstick

 Okay, this time I am not talking about that Butthole that runs that fake custom and fabrication shop in the Illawarra, this time I am talking about buying something that is advertised to suit a particular component, but clearly doesn't.

In all honesty, I should have done my homework a little better. Rolan, the supplier of said Ford screw in style dipstick, say that it suits (and I quote from their website) "Engine Oil Dip Stick Stainless Steel Flexible Ford 289-351 and 429-460 Screw-In Dipstick"

It clearly does not. I am in negotiation with Rolan to secure a return. But of course, the issue is, did I open the pack? Of course I opened the shitty plastic sealed wrap because how else are you going to check if it fits? Well, they say once you open it, you cannot return it. Well, isn't there such a thing as consumer rights and where does it say in the law that that thing cannot be returned if it has been opened?

I have bought plenty of things off Rolan in the past and they've always been pretty good to deal with. The test will come soon enough to see how decent they can be in returning something that says it will fit even though it just won't.

Here is my dilemma. I have a Bronco sump. Possibly old style. It needs a screw in dipstick like this one

I didn't see this picture until after I bought mine. And when mine turned up, it was this one

This, I learned much later, is only good for a Milodon sump, or some aftermarket types. 

Here is the website where I purchased it from 

Proflow dipstick

Here is a side by side I fabbed up using Photoshop. The top one being the dipstick I need. The bottom one is the proflow unit. Quite a difference! 

New Tub from Mar-K coming in!

 Nothing much happening with the cabin at this stage, but I am always hopeful. In the meantime I have been spending up on a few essential pieces, particularly the Mar-K tub for the  '56. There was a guy in South Australia who used to make them, but he has since retired, and this kit is the next best thing. Having said that, it should be fine. It comes in panels ready to assemble, sans tailgate. However, Rob is still working hard on the tailgate and I think it is coming together very well. $4000 delivered to my door, so I can't really go past this deal. 

Other things I have purchased have been the reinforcement plates for the front cab corners. Wasn't going to bother with them, but then decided it was best that I do for added strength, and a good thing I did as it would be quite a weak point when it comes time to bolting the front fender up to the cab front. 

I also coughed up and bought the lower rocker panel for the right hand side as about 20 percent of it was totally shot. Not sure if Mark is going to use the entire panel or just cut the piece he needs. 

Mark (the panel beater) said he was on his way this week. His plan is to tackle the rear cab corner first and go from there. 

New toy in the garage! Shogun Air Compressor

 Mark was talking with me the other day when he brought some steel down to start the job and he mentioned that an air compressor would be a very useful bit of equipment to have around the place. Since it was gonna make his life a little easier as well as mine when working on the truck, I lashed out and bought one. 

Having absolutely no idea what to buy, AND working to a very tight budget thanks to being ripped off by that dog's breath of a custom workshop in town, I was happy to learn the one Mark recommended was wallet friendly. He said a guy he knows bought one and is happy with it. Looking at the reviews, it appears to be a bit hit and miss, with a few folks saying it's junk and a few others saying it works fine. 

Anyway, I coughed up and bought the Shogun Air Compressor 70L 3.5HP Electric Inflator Pump Tank Direct Drive 289L/M. It looks pretty in orange, and that is about all I know. Mark tells me 70 litres is a good size and the other specs of the machine are respectable. It is also portable, and that has to be a good thing. 

So, now, I guess I just have to learn what I can do with it. The good thing is, I can buy some new tools, and isn't that what life is all about? First thing I had to buy was a hose. Then, I suppose, something useful to connect to the end of the hose that does things (don't you love my high tech descriptions of stuff?)  Should be here next week, and that will coincide with Mark's return.