Quick '86 iron head question
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
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They may not flow like aftermarket but if I would have had aluminum heads when I blew my head gasket, they would not have survived. Exhaust into coolant raised temps higher than I thought the gauge went. Had to nurse it home a couple of miles at a time with 30 minute cool down cycles. Hit 260* and pull over, Repeat, repeat, repeat. Took the iron heads in and they did no more than do a light mill and freshen the seats and valves with new seals. I woulda been shopping for new heads had they been aluminum. Until I break down and throw some thousands at the engine, I will stick with iron and be thankful.
- as I said, my old iron head 85 has been to hell and back. case in point - my son went way over 260 once (dash indicated) 
. don't know the actual temp or how accurate the temp readout is, but either way, hotter than hell. that's not the first time that old iron head went over-temp. BTW, we're at 160K miles, and the heads have NEVER been off the block! damn thing is still running strong. I'd like to see anyone try that with an aluminum head anything...
