Reading Plugs? Calling all FE experts...

[Excaliber]

True that the manifold has to match the heads. I recently went through a nightmare trying to find intake gaskets for the RARE high riser. Low and Medium riser gaskets are abundant. The high riser ports are HUGE!

My Ford OEM 2X4 alloy intake should sell for about a $1000. Single four barrel, I don't know. Maybe I'll try to buy an Edelbrock?

[Bruce Edwards]

Bruce,

The heads and intake are matched together and should stay that way. The only thing different from the medium riser heads is the placement of the port.
If you are running a solid lift cam in the motor now the person that set it up should have installed the correct plugs used for the solid cam in the galley.
What specs are on the cam you are running now? Give me someplace to start and I will try to help.
With your engine it should spin the tires in second gear idling off the line if it is set up correctly.
I rebuilt a H&M 427 side oilier years ago with a 2x4 with medium riser heads and a solid lift cam that would spin the tires in fourth from a dead stop. It idled well and pulled to 6,500+. It did have the NASCAR crank and rods and that did help with the high rpm's but the cam you pick is the heart of the engine.
What do you mean low oil pressure? Most FE's will idle with 15-30psi and top at over 80psi depending on how it is setup.

[Bruce Edwards]

Bruce,

One other thing there is a great book out there about building Ford engines. It covers small and big block's and is full of info and tips. You should be able to find one at a local book store.
The name is "How to rebuild your Ford engine"??? I think. I have a copy at the shop and can check to be sure tomorrow if you like.

[luke-44]

Originally posted by Bruce Edwards
Bruce, With your engine it should spin the tires in second gear idling off the line if it is set up correctly....What do you mean low oil pressure? Most FE's will idle with 15-30psi and top at over 80psi depending on how it is setup.

Bruce - I am not sure as to cam specs at this time except it is a solid lifter and I assume quite wild.......I am trying to borrow the tools to check this out right now...as for spinning the wheels in 2nd, it a'int gonna happen - current setup just doesn't have any grunt below 5000 rpm.

As for low oil pressure - start up is 35, and gradually settles in around 20 warm, where it stays both under load (maybe + 5 more lbs or so) or at idle - this, combined with the solid lifter setup leads me to conclude the builder may have missed the plugs to the lifter galleries. I hope to talk to him tomorrow as I finally located him. As well, Ithe car was running a PH8 filter which I am changing to the Motorcraft, as well as an oil pump with a tag that says "110R", which I am replacing with the melling HV.

Question - where do you get manifold gaskets for the high riser - Summit doesn't list them?

Assuming the radical cam has to go, , what should I be looking for with a hydraulic for this head setup? Thanks,

[Bruce Edwards]

Bruce,

Have you tried FelPro for the gaskets? Also are you sure about the oil pressure? Check it with another gauge to be sure.
If you call me tomorrow I can pull up the OEM specs for a cam and you can go from that point. If you do not mind adjusting the valve train every now and then stick with the solid cam. It willl rev higher.
407-857-8587 Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00 EST