HELP! I need a 260 V8 head...

rritchey · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2004, 08:23 PM

I know it is not a FE.... but I'm trying to rebuild this 260 for a guy who is restoring a 64-1/2 mustang. They must have left the motor sitting out in the snow uncovered for 10 or 15 years. I already welded 2 different freeze cracks in the block, welded one crack in the "good" head, and found cracks in 2 intake ports on the other head (can't be fixed.) Anyway, if any of you have one or know where one is - I need a head for a 260 so I can get this thing finished.

FFR428 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-04-2004, 08:05 AM

www.dscmotorsport.com Maybe sometinhg there? I'd say try Perogies but they will charge an arm and a leg. I'd also try some of the mustang vendors as some still deal in used parts. I'm sure you can find one just how much it is will be the issue. G.

FFR428 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-04-2004, 08:06 AM

Yep DSC has them listed for $35 ea. Have a look see. G.

rritchey · #4 (**permalink**) 12-04-2004, 05:41 PM

Thank you FFR428...

How do you like your 406? I have 2 cores at my shop I am about to build and offer for sale. I am going to build them with 428 cranks, so they will really be 428's in 406 blocks. Should be good motors.

FFR428 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 03:36 AM

I like it very much. I did the same with the 428 crank as well. The 406 is kind of the forgotten engine and you don't see many around. Knock out those freeze plugs and have a look as some of the late 406 blocks had 427 cyl walls also. You can also get a pretty penney for them. With a one year production run and less than 5000 built plus some service blocks there are not many left. Many of the Galaxie guys are hot for them as well for their 406 cars that have the original engines missing. I know of two guys looking for them as we speak and don't care what year or date code. They would just be happy to find one. Mine was original and all matching except for the crank and rods and took a year of looking to find. Got a very good deal on it as well. Let me know what block castings you have and when they are done and I can put you in touch a few buyers. G.

rritchey · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2004, 09:29 PM

FFR428,

Again, thanks!

Are your friends in the market for complete engines or parts? Also, do they need numbers matching heads or aftermarket? My cores have 390 heads on them (can't figure that out - unless previous owners did not like the high compression 406 heads). I think one block is C2 and the other is C3.... neither one is cross bolted. One has the old style galaxie bell housing on it.

One of them is currently std. bore but needs to go .020 and I have some KB Hyper. pistons for it to go together at .020" over. It's about as nice a block as you will find. I have not yet pulled the other one apart and the bore is unknown.

If you know somebody needing one I can custom build for them.

Larry Hampton · #7 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 11:57 AM

Shoot, I have a "longblock" 260 I'd trade for. It doesn't have pushrods and I'm not sure where the headbolts are. I got it as a short block with a set of heads. It is well preserved in oil and grease if you know what I mean. I'm in central Oklahoma (north side of OKC. I'm looking for a good C8AE-H head to match up for another head I have. I had a D2TE-AA head with this C8 head, but it developed a crack in the chamber between the spark plug and exhaust port.

rritchey · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 01:37 PM

Larry,

I don't have any C8AE-H heads in my shop, but I bet within about 2 hours I could have one. They are pretty much common as dirt around here in the junkyards on 390's. I already sent money to DSC for a head core (plus some other goodies I was needing)

I would still be interested in your block if I had not already sunk almost $350 in pistons and rings for this block. I welded the various cracks and got it to hold a pressure test, bored it +.060" and a couple of bores still don't look all that great. The owner has seen it and says he's OK with it, but I'm not sure how well it's going to work. I'm pretty sure he will burn a little oil in 2 cylinders, but it's not a race motor so if he keeps a few spare spark plugs I guess he'll be alright.....

FFR428 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2004, 03:56 PM

I think they would take whatever they could get but have to say parts being the main objective as they like to build their own as many do. A good 406 block is a tad less than $1000 ea and a good rebuilt close to $5k complete and matching that I've seen. Some for more with aftermarket upgrades.So it would be up to you as how you prefer to sell them. Does the C2 have the crossbolt bosses? And if the C3 is a D block it has should them as well. G.

Larry Hampton · #10 (**permalink**) 12-08-2004, 09:44 AM

Well, if you end up having problems, I doubt this one is going anywhere. Let me know and we'll work something out. Fayetteville isn't that far away, might could meet somewhere in between if need be.

Larry

Guinness · #11 (**permalink**) 01-14-2005, 10:38 PM

Did you find a 260 head? I have a disassembled 260 waiting for the right restorer to come along.

Jeff

rritchey · #12 (**permalink**) 01-15-2005, 03:19 PM

Thanks for all the help guys. I did get a replacement head and the 260 is now nestled in the engine bay where it belongs.



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