C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

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Old Oct 31, 2002 | 06:42 PM
  #1  
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Default 86 Q's

How can I tell if i have iorn or aluminum heads?

Ok here is the problem, My car(1986 Coupe) needed plugs so i went out to atvace auto and bought some bosch platnam's. they asked if i had iron or aluminum head i assumed i had iron so, I got the plugs for the iron head they said to gap at .045, the haynes repair manual said gap at .035, my sticker on the engine said to gap at .035 so i gapped at .035.

The car dosent feel right now and about every minute i hear a clicking(relay i think) and then i hear all of this air being pumped somewhere. please help me figure out what to do

Thanks
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Old Oct 31, 2002 | 07:11 PM
  #2  
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Default Re: 86 Q's (CLUTCH^Master)

iron heads will have the bolts around the outisde "lip" of the valve cover,

aluminum heads have the bolts in the middle of the valve cover.

Sounds like you knocked a vacuum line loose.. inspect all vacuum lines near distributor and plug wire routing



[Modified by Kale, 3:12 PM 10/31/2002]
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Old Oct 31, 2002 | 07:15 PM
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You definitely have to look and see if you have iron or not as the sparkplugs seat differently.
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Old Oct 31, 2002 | 07:55 PM
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Default Re: (scorp508)

Sweet!!! Na na na I got aluminum heads!!! Thats like 5 more hp right!!! oh yeh and i didnt even need a wing or sticker!!!!! :smash: :cheers: :chevy
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Old Oct 31, 2002 | 08:02 PM
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Default Re: (CLUTCH^Master)

BTW whats your VIN#

If you have a coupe, we're trying to figure out when exactly it went over to AL heads.
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Old Oct 31, 2002 | 08:19 PM
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Default Re: (CLUTCH^Master)

Sweet!!! Na na na I got aluminum heads!!! Thats like 5 more hp right!!! oh yeh and i didnt even need a wing or sticker!!!!! :smash: :cheers: :chevy
I've heard you can gain 5 or so more if you cut back the plugs.
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Old Oct 31, 2002 | 11:40 PM
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Default Re: (vader86)

FWIW- my 86 coupe has iron heads and the last 7 digits of the VIN are 5108593. Lucky me, I get the "low performance" model :)
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 01:59 AM
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Default Re: (Cooter)

Think of it this way, if you ever get performance aluminum heads, you'll you'll feel more of a difference than the guys with aluminum heads already since you'll get that 5hp plus more and a pretty hefty weight reduction. I too am an iron head '86 owner. Besides, iron heads are more durable.
My car is number 12,934.
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 11:15 AM
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Default Re: (okinawa86vette)

Think of it this way, if you ever get performance aluminum heads, you'll you'll feel more of a difference than the guys with aluminum heads already since you'll get that 5hp plus more and a pretty hefty weight reduction. I too am an iron head '86 owner. Besides, iron heads are more durable.
My car is number 12,934.
yeah they are more durable IMO. I have overheated the car to 300* :eek: before (water pump went on a long road trip) and didn't even blow the head gasket or screw the heads up. I do wish I had the aluminum though for the prformance aspect of it. Having said that anyone know what the Iron heads will flow after being P&P compared to the aluminum? Hope this doesn't constitute stealing the thread.
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 12:29 PM
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Default Re: (vader86)

I have aluminum heads #24,956
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 12:44 PM
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Default Re: (vader86)

BTW whats your VIN# If you have a coupe, we're trying to figure out when exactly it went over to AL heads.
I think its around ~13,500. I thought that I read an exact number somewhere...
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 01:22 PM
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Default Re: (dgoodhue)

BTW whats your VIN# If you have a coupe, we're trying to figure out when exactly it went over to AL heads.

I think its around ~13,500. I thought that I read an exact number somewhere...
Nah, cant be around 13k, mine is 16,058 with iron heads.

Its gotta be somewhere around 18K, but i want to pin it down closer.
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Old Nov 1, 2002 | 03:19 PM
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Default Re: (dgoodhue)

Aluminum heads #22321

Please someone correct me if I wrong. I believe the aluminum head plugs have more threads per inch and a longer threaded shaft than the iron head plugs do. I was told this was to prevent people from stripping the threads in the aluminum heads, so I hope no one puts the iron head plugs in the aluminum heads.

PC


[Modified by Pete Clough, 12:28 PM 11/1/2002]


[Modified by Pete Clough, 3:10 PM 11/1/2002]
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