Need help with my confusion.....

[Vinnietbird]

I've got the GT40 heads.Beautiful condition.I read a Ford parts interchange bbok and it says the GT40's should not be used with flat top pistons.I have flat tops.I'm not changing pistons.Now I'm wondering if the heads will really work on my engine.Help !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tbird232ci]

is the engine in car, or out of the car?

what you can do, is tear it down to do the head swap, use the OLD headgasket, bolt the GT40 head on one side, and do the clay method

if the engine stops, and wont budge, you have contact, if it doesnt stop, pull the head back off, and look at your clearance in the clay

[Vinnietbird]

The engine is in the car.I use it most every day.I thought about the clay method,but I don't want to tear the engine aprt just to find out.Someone has got to know the answer.

[Tbird232ci]

the problem is, the only stang guys that will know are guys with 86 GT's, and not many people have them, or keep the stock engine in them

other than the tbird/cougar guys, and 86 GT guys, youre SOL

[Vinnietbird]

I'm looking for that needle in a haystack.

[Vinnietbird]

Somebody has to know.

[Tbird232ci]

Not here. Most of the guys here are 3.8 guys.

[fast64]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tbird232ci Not here. Most of the guys here are 3.8 guys.

or newer 5.0 guys. tbird, do you know any good T-bird sites with someone that may know?

[Vinnietbird]

I've tried about everywhere.Over at Corral forums,they stated that there is no way without notching my pistons ,swapping pistons,or engines.Not going to happen.Will the E-7's work?

[Tbird232ci]

E7's do work

the forums i hang around, Vinnie are on also

[Joel5.0]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vinnietbird Somebody has to know.

If your 5.0 is an '86......unfortunately, your right. Shouldn't use the GT40 heads without notching pistons. If you also plan to upgrade cam,....need to notch pistons.....with the '86 style flats it's required to do the PtV check. Sorry....

[Bane-]

or sell the gt40s and get a set of twisted wedge heads, those are just about made around the flat top pistons so no PtV checking is required, just bolt on and go.

[Vinnietbird]

Thanks.

[FakeSaleen]

it will eventually end up changing the pistons if you want to do any thing with that moter, it will be worth it

[Vinnietbird]

Yes,I'd like to do that,but,next year in '07,I'm planning on installing a 351.Bur for now,I want to do what I can with what I have,which,is the following

GT40 heads
1 5/8 shorty headers
65mm throttlebody/spacer
offroad H-Pipe

I hear conflicting info.I was also told by Dallas Mustangs,that,if I keep the factory cam,I can use the GT40's with the flat top pistons.But,the heads and pistons wouldn't allow for a cam upgrade without notching the pistons.Any thoughts?Thanks a lot you guys.

[Joel5.0]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vinnietbird I hear conflicting info.I was also told by Dallas Mustangs,that,if I keep the factory cam,I can use the GT40's with the flat top pistons.But,the heads and pistons wouldn't allow for a cam upgrade without notching the pistons.Any thoughts?Thanks a lot you guys.

You'll hear those conflicting messages everywhere, "it worked in mine, have a friend with that same combo and no problem, etc"......the best, safe way to do it, is always to be sure doing a PtV test, engine clearances/tolerances vary all over, and yours could be on the tight side. Look at it this way, if even Ford suggests a PtV check when swapping heads on the '86, do it...it's worth the insurance. My 2�. GL

[Vinnietbird]

Thanks Joel.I'll use the clay and check the clearance.I was going to do that but I was looking for all the info I could find before I do anything.Thanks again.