470 Head modification help

[SlowGin_III]

I need to have some head work done and am trying to figure out the most beneficial route to go. My current head needs new guides and valve seats. Has anyone used an aftermarket 460 head? Are there any benfits? Also, what about using a performance modified aluminum head? I am interested in knowing if it will work and if it is worth the gain.

[C YENSEN]

Well I got the 470 aslo, but never had to do any work to it.....knock on wood. Let me know which route you go for my motors future. Sorry cant help......yet ;)

[cfelton]

Dont know about an alum head, but I recently rebuilt my 470 because the head rusted out on top of the 3&4th exhaust port to manifold. I bought a rebuilt head from Clearwater cylinder head co . in clearwater FL. It cost 320.00 plus 20.00 shipping and have been very satisfied with it. Check em out on ebay, they usually have a listing.

[cfelton]

Forgot to tell ya I bought new head bolts @ 20.00 a piece,and had a hard time getting them. The head is a 460 Ford head with a stainless steel pipe installed in the front of the water jacket. If ya got the exhaust manifold off check the thickness of the metal in the top of each port hole, they rot out and get very thin. You might want to replace it!

[spareparts]

most of the high perf heads are set up for top end, some of the 429 factory heads may be better, check with some ford sites that have information about the "Lima" series motors. If it were me, I would replace teh existing head with a stocker and concentrate on a better rocker set up, you wont get near the spec ratio with the stock rockers