I scored an Edmunds aluminum head last week so I’ve pulled the cast head and am ready to bolt the new head on. The stock head bolts didn’t use a washer but I think there should be a washer on the aluminum head, also the bolts go into the water jacket What’s the best sealant to put on the threads?
When I put mine on I used flat washers based on what I had seen on several various Chrysler products with Fenton, Edmunds, and a couple others. Supposed to take compression up to the 8.5 / 9 to 1 neighborhood. Did you check it for warpage?
I used permetex sealant when I put my 218 together. I did put washers on it, was a stock iron head, ran and didn’t weep for two years on near daily basis before I pulled it and sold it.
Another issue to check is if the head bolts are the right length as sometimes the bolt bosses on aluminum heads end up being thicker than the bosses on cast-iron heads. Best of luck with your project.
The use of washers are a must. The use of hardened washers are preferred. The most important thing about going to a alum. head is torqueing the head. Alum. heads are torqued stone cold. When you retorque the head, do it with everything stone cold, not warm. I usually let them set overnight. You will have to retorque it more than once. Alum. heads are known to be bad to leak. This is why retorqueing the head more than once is necessary. Hope this helps.
I use a product called PST by Permatex. I also suggest using hardened washers. I’m not familiar with Chrysler six head gaskets, but on head gaskets that don’t have a coating on them, I also use Copper Spray Gasket sealer. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I agree with David, available from McMaster-Carr. From what I can see of the body I think I like it. Where are the other pictures?
I suppose that sorta looks cool. He said begrudgingly. Jealousy is a terrible thing. Actually looks brilliant! Cheers, Stewart.
Hahaha! Thanks Stewart, so here’s the kicker last Saturday I was GIVEN this head from an old hotrodder that said it had been on a shelf in his garage for nearly 50 years. He told me he would rather see it on my car than on the shelf in his garage or money in his pocket. Damn lucky I am!!!
What spark plugs are you going to run? Might want to pole the folks running similar heads. If I recall the standard plugs are shrouded in the aluminum head. I will screw in an AC45 tommorow and let you know.
Just checked. The threads on the ac45 are 1/8 inch short of the thread depth of the head. The electrode is fully inside the threads, no projection into the combustion chamber. So you are going to need to hunt up some plugs unless somebody can pitch in what they are running. My experience with the head is from 15 years ago and I can't remember what I found, although 80 is ringing a bell.
A lot of Edmunds heads run 1/2" reach plugs.- AC45F or 43F Champ L90, L86, L78I I prefer to start a stage or two cold and see where it colours up best. A step at a time. Some Edmunds heads have plug located just clear of the valves, which gives the option of an extended nose plug.
Man, I really envy you getting that head now! My neighbor just gives boxes of odd length and types of screws! He is also the person that stocks the nuts, bolts and washers etc at Ace. His son in law gives him tons of that stuff when they switch brands or lines. I just can't bring myself to bum stuff from him at home vs buying it where he, his son, and 2 grand kids work. The Grand daughter lives behind us. Dave