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Aluminum head installation

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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 04:48 PM
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Default Aluminum head installation

First: Which spark plug with the AFR 195 heads? They came Friday!

Which head gasket to use, and how do ya check piston to valve clearance? Putty, clay, whatever? Can you reuse the head gasket after it's installed & crushed or do you need to buy another?

Thanks for any suggestions.
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 05:21 PM
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I used what AFR recomended on the plugs and head gasket. As for the piston to valve clearance I did not install the head gasket. I just added the crushed thickness of the head gasket to the clay. Therefore you do not use the head gasket. I do not put the head gasket on until final assembly.

My older AFR 190 heads called for a Fel Pro 1010 head gasket. Spark Plugs called for a AC FR3LS. I'd check to make sure the 195s are a little different.
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 06:09 PM
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From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
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My 180's called for AC FR3LS plugs, I believe the 195's are the same.
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 06:16 PM
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You will like those heads! They flow as much as you will ever need with your 383. here is an interesting read.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...oller_cam.html

AC FR3LS spark plug, Felpro #1003 head gasket, Felpro #1205 intake gasket. Your safe on piston to valve clearance but clay and no gasket is a good option.

Last edited by 63mako; Mar 29, 2009 at 06:28 PM.
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 63mako
You will like those heads! They flow as much as you will ever need with your 383. here is an interesting read.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...oller_cam.html

AC FR3LS spark plug, Felpro #1003 head gasket, Felpro #1205 intake gasket. Your safe on piston to valve clearance but clay and no gasket is a good option.
Thanks everyone for the help. My first set of aluminum heads in all the hot rod engines I've built (aboiut 20) over the years. I didn't want to make any mistakes as they already stretched the budget. But I'm jazzed!

I opened the box & read the docs (gosh it even rhymes). Right on both counts re: the FelPro gasket part numbers. Oh, and the final paragraph on the documentation's "Terms & Policies" page is priceless:

"WARNING
Speed Kills-please drive responsibly and enjoy our hobby at the racetrack only, as this is the designed application of the AFR Products. With this additional performance, it is recommended that you upgrade your brakes for better stopping performance."


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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 08:58 PM
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It's a good warning with those heads and the right matched parts 500HP is doable, not many cars, period, running around with an honest 500HP
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MotorHead
It's a good warning with those heads and the right matched parts 500HP is doable, not many cars, period, running around with an honest 500HP
Man am I excited. I've got a mild cam, but terrific carburetion (650 Thunder AVS) & ignition (Mallory Billet dist with Taylor wires) systems. PLUS plus plus, a great exhaust system with 2.5" true duals, balance tube, and Ultraflow mufflers behind Hedman Headers.

Cam is a Crane flat tappet hydraulic with Crane 1.6 roller rockers. I am not going to get 500hp with it, but I'm going to get a few more years of grins & giggles as I spend money with Chevron. Bottom end is a forged Scat rotating assembly with 6" H-Beam rods and forged 10:1 pistons. It autta haul some groceries - and in a hurry - with these new heads.

Last edited by QuicheLorraine; Mar 29, 2009 at 09:10 PM.
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 01:47 AM
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is that the felpro gaskets with the copper ring? they are the only ones i use on alloy heads. the ones with pre flattened steel rings leave too much of an indentation on the heads if you ever pull them off and go to retorque them again on another motor or same one. the ones with the copper ring are mickey mouse !!
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by QuicheLorraine
Man am I excited. I've got a mild cam, but terrific carburetion (650 Thunder AVS) & ignition (Mallory Billet dist with Taylor wires) systems. PLUS plus plus, a great exhaust system with 2.5" true duals, balance tube, and Ultraflow mufflers behind Hedman Headers.

Cam is a Crane flat tappet hydraulic with Crane 1.6 roller rockers. I am not going to get 500hp with it, but I'm going to get a few more years of grins & giggles as I spend money with Chevron. Bottom end is a forged Scat rotating assembly with 6" H-Beam rods and forged 10:1 pistons. It autta haul some groceries - and in a hurry - with these new heads.
I did my top rebuild last year and used the AFR 180 Street Eliminator heads. Made a nice improvement. We have a similar configuration. Whats the specs with your cam? Next serious project for me is the torque converter.
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 04:35 PM
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The Crane cam I'm using is flat tappet hydraulic:
454/480 lift, Intake & Exhaust respectfully at 1.5

Since I'm using their Roller 1.6 rockers, those numbers go up to 484 and 512

I just looked at my receipts and actually misquoted the bottom end build in the original message: It actually is a forged Eagle rotating assembly, with SRP 10:1 pistons. It does have 6" rods (H-beam) as a part of that rotating kit that was purchased.

Had to grind off .015 I think it was, to clear the bottom of the cam bearing bosses for the 6" rods.
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Old Mar 30, 2009 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by QuicheLorraine
First: Which spark plug with the AFR 195 heads? They came Friday!

Which head gasket to use, and how do ya check piston to valve clearance? Putty, clay, whatever? Can you reuse the head gasket after it's installed & crushed or do you need to buy another?

Thanks for any suggestions.
AC Delco replaced the FR3LS plugs with a new number (same plug, revised numbering system). The AC number you want is #41-629.
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