Cylinder Head Advice

[jamesroney]

My question to the other guys posting on here would be why not go with a set of aftermarket heads.

Because 1996 Explorer 3 bar GT heads cost $70 at the pick n pull...
But I agree that it costs a lot to install them. So better to get the whole engine for $251, and sell off the front dress for $300. Then you get hypereutectic flat tops, GT heads, GT40 induction, hydraulic roller cam, and single piece rear main for negative $49.

 

[bulletpruf]

Because 1996 Explorer 3 bar GT heads cost $70 at the pick n pull...
But I agree that it costs a lot to install them. So better to get the whole engine for $251, and sell off the front dress for $300. Then you get hypereutectic flat tops, GT heads, GT40 induction, hydraulic roller cam, and single piece rear main for negative $49.

How hard is it to find one of these at a pick n pull? I'm thinking about doing it myself.

 

[toddz69]

How hard is it to find one of these at a pick n pull? I'm thinking about doing it myself.

It varies around here (Phoenix area). Sometimes I can find several of the 3 bar '96/early '97 engines in the yards at once but usually I'll have to search for a bit. For reference, we have about 5-6 pull-a-parts that I frequent. The 5.0 Explorers are starting to age out but they can still be found.

Top tip - don't pull them in the middle of the summer in Phoenix like I did. What a hot mess that was.

Todd Z.

 

[bulletpruf]

It varies around here (Phoenix area). Sometimes I can find several of the 3 bar '96/early '97 engines in the yards at once but usually I'll have to search for a bit. For reference, we have about 5-6 pull-a-parts that I frequent. The 5.0 Explorers are starting to age out but they can still be found.

Top tip - don't pull them in the middle of the summer in Phoenix like I did. What a hot mess that was.

Todd Z.

Gotcha. I've never yanked an engine at a pull-a-part but can't imagine it would be that difficult as long as the yard has a forklift to pluck it out.

Thanks

 

[BrettKoenecke]

Update to this. Gary my wonderful neighbor decided he wanted to spend some time with the Bronco. He took the heads off, took them down to a local machine shop, talked them into rebuilding the heads for him and then he put them back on. The heads are cast "FoMoCo" on the sides, he painted them Ford Blue even for me. I love him. He said they are high performance heads so not stock as far as we know. He also said to "Be careful. If you punch it in a turn, the ass end will come around on you." Its never run so good and so strong. Total cost was $1300.

 

[toddz69]

Gotcha. I've never yanked an engine at a pull-a-part but can't imagine it would be that difficult as long as the yard has a forklift to pluck it out.

Thanks

The heads alone were almost as much of a pain as the whole engine because the upper and lower intakes had to be removed, fuel lines removed, etc. The biggest pain was getting the exhaust manifolds off as I recall.

Todd Z.