OHV Rebuild Flat Piston vs. 95TM Heads

[cabraljf]

I have a 1991 4x4 Explorer Sport with 152k miles. Currently have Magnaflow exhaust and K&N intake. I have the common lifter noises coming from the engine. I know it will not hurt anything but it is getting annoying and it makes the truck sound like crap.
I have done a lot of searching on many threads the following 2 most helpful:
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?232180-4.0-OHV-power-limits-and-required-parts

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=188502

My plan is to pull the engine out, rebuild, put a SOHC oil pan on it, use 422 cam from Comp Cams, new springs and whatnot. What I am trying to decide on is which would be better/cheaper. Flat top pistons or 95TM heads. From what I can gather both scenarios will get me to ~10:1 compression. I found the heads for $232.80 each at Engine Quest (link doesn't work Part #EQ-CH244B). I found a set of flat piston heads w/ rods at Tom Morana Racing ( http://www.moranav6racing.com/category.html?CategoryID=32 ) for $150.

I plan on taking the engine out of the Explorer anyway so my thinking is that it would be cheaper to get the flat top pistons. As far as I know my heads aren't cracked but they will be checked (for sake of argument I am going to assume that they are good). Are there any reasons why it would be better to choose flat pistons over 95TM heads???

 

[jd4242]

Go with the 95tm heads.better to have the clearnce in the piston if a valve sticks open.I run eq heads they are great but I took some more out of the heads to get near 11:1!!do not do a rebuild and use stock heads!! Also run a mellings high flow pump and SI one piece valves.any othe questions just pm me I have a ton of links and know all the cheapest places

 

[jd4242]

O and I can get those heads wayyyy cheaper than that,around $150 a piece

 

[snoranger]

I agree. Go with the 95TM heads. From what I've read they flow better then the older heads.

 

[jd4242]

way better!!!eq heads flow better in stock form than any head I've found!!

 

[cabraljf]

Ok, well I will go with the 95TM heads. I will still look for cheaper places to get them but EQ seems like my best bet.

From all the threads it looks like the bottom end on the OHV engine will be able to handle the extra power. I plan on getting a SOHC oil pan to help it out. Any other upgrades I should consider while the engine is out?

 

[Ronin8002]

I've got an SOHC oil pan and pump for sale....see thread in my sig. Make an offer and they're yours.

 

[TennTechMan]

The Explorer Forum thread you listed is mine. Good to see someone getting some use from it. Just sold my Explorer last week. I got 35,000 miles out of that build, and it was running great when the new owner left with it.

I also ran 93 octane in it after the rebuild. Not sure it was necessary, but I did anyways.

 

[jd4242]

if anyone else wants or needs links here you go
he has rased the price but just offer him $150 and i bet he takes it
95tm
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-...Q5fAccessories
also the cheapest place for a complete felpro gasket kit is from this guy $128 to your door he also has head bolt for $28.beat any place ive found!!i also got my high flow oil pump from him and he was the cheapest!!they are on ebay at http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/h...TQ:MOTORS:1181
or call "We can do the 1992 set for $128 shipped to you. Call us at 1 800 940 4379 #403, Anthony"
SI valves part numbers sev2027 and sev2028 $138 http://www.sivalves.com/onlinecatalog.html
and for rockers you can use delta cam rebuilt rockers but i would suggest you just buy new rockers on line from rockauto and buy your pushrods from smith brothers.they can make you a measuring rod so you can measure the right size pushrods
http://www.pushrods.net/
also have the lower and upper intake manifolds gasket matched and port/polished there is a ton that can come out of there
any other questions im me back