Edelbrock E-Street Heads

[JoshT]

Spotted a set of Edelbrock E-Street heads on Craigslist a few hours ago, and wandering if I should scoop them up for my V8 swap.

From the listing:
Quote:

http://images.craigslist.org/01010_d...SR_600x450.jpg

Edelbrock E street heads are dissemble but I do have all the valves and better springs to put them back together $ 550 all parts included .
Emailed inquiring about mileage, them being disassembled, and having "better springs". This was the reply:

Quote:
They have 0 mile I did not finish the build I change the spring because the springs that come with them are no good.The spring that I have to replace the ones that came with the heads are good for about 500th lift.They have the 2.02 intake valves the heads have been cut .025 with flat top piston that will give you about 9.5 to 1 compression and the valves have a 20 degree back cut.
The way they look in the pic I can believe 0 miles. I've read about the spring issue so that seems legit, but I don't know enough about valves and shaving heads to know about the rest.

I'm particularly interested in these for a couple reasons.
1) Price
2) lighter weight
3) No spark plug issue with regular headers (want to run Tri-Y long tubes)

Any other pros or cons?

Will these work on the Explorer motor? Thinking about valve clearance and camshaft. I know that I'll have to get new pushrods.

Would these heads play well with the Explorer EFI system until I can get it tuned?

Would they still work well together if went ahead and installed say an E303 cam? If I installed a set of 1.7:1 rockers


The motor going into my 86 Ranger is a higher mileage 5.0L from a 98 Ford Explorer with the GT-40P heads. The plan at current is to use the Explorer EFI system, and install the motor with existing manifolds to get it running and drivable. After getting the bugs worked out I was going to get cam, heads, headers, and possibly rebuild the bottom end if it showed signs of needing it. (I don't think that it does right now based on the way that the Explorer ran.) If I got these I'd probably stick to the same plan, but it'd happen much quicker. FWIW I'm going for a lowered 2wd street truck that can double as a daily driver.

Yes I know it's going into an old Ranger, not an Explorer, but... Since it's an Explorer V8 running an Explorer EFI system, I figured that an Explorer forum would probably be most qualified to answer.

 

[98exploreron22]

Go with the -TFS- stage 1 cam and the Edelbrock heads will be fine on that motor,,,

 

[Bill MacLeod]

These E street heads may have been intended for a 351, don't think 2.02 intake valves will work with your 302.

Also, heads cut .025 + 1.7 rockers + aftermarket cam = piston to valve clearance issues.

You will probably need to fly cut the pistons for either issue.

What trans and computer will be used?

 

[JoshT]

These E street heads may have been intended for a 351, don't think 2.02 intake valves will work with your 302.

Also, heads cut .025 + 1.7 rockers + aftermarket cam = piston to valve clearance issues.

You will probably need to fly cut the pistons for either issue.

What trans and computer will be used?

That's why I'm asking.

Would like to avoid fly cutting. Would it work if I used the stock rockers with say an E303 or that TFS cam? Inquiring about the rockers because I spotted a set of them on CL as well, but the price was no good.

Will be using stock 98 Explorer EFI nodded to stand alone setup, and a 4R70W.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Were the E's set-up for pedestal or stud rockers? That would determine what rockers could or couldn't be used.

If you are on a tight budget, you could get good results by working over what you have. Home porting to a gasket match is not difficult, then upgrade the springs.
Opening up the intake manifold, both upper and lower, is a must on the explore intake. Check out Tmoss's site.

Otherwise keep looking. Eddy performers, AFR-165's or TW-170's can be found used at a decent price.

 

[JoshT]

Were the E's set-up for pedestal or stud rockers? That would determine what rockers could or couldn't be used.

Sorry didn't notice that the picture I tried to link did not work. They look like stud mount rockers to me.

Fly cutting valves plus having to buy rockers as well kills the whole deal. I'll pass on those heads and wait until I actually get ready to build the motor. Actually I'll probably pick up a spare block to build and give it a good rotating assembly (stroker maybe?) with pistons that have valve reliefs, good heads, and a good valve train.

If you are on a tight budget, you could get good results by working over what you have. Home porting to a gasket match is not difficult, then upgrade the springs.
Opening up the intake manifold, both upper and lower, is a must on the explore intake. Check out Tmoss's site.

If I stay focused on the #1 goal which is to make the truck drive able and get the bugs worked out, then budget won't be too much of an issue. Problem is when I get side tracked and other things jump into the plan. For now I'll stick to the original plan and get it running as is and not sink in a lot of money till the bugs are ironed out then drive it a few years and get a feel for the truck and exactly what I want to do with it. Then I'll start looking into a building a replacement engine with all the goodies.

Probably first big improvement I can make will be to figure out the gearing to use since it's going from an Explorer sized tire and weight, to something closer to a fox body in tire size and weight. It won't need nearly as much gear to get it moving, and is likely to be screaming at interstate speed with the smaller tires.