Aluminum Heads?

4

49George

New member
I was given a set of Fenton aluminum heads for my 49 8BA F1 and am considering using them. I don't know anything about Fenton products. Does anyone know of any problems with these? About what gaskets to use? Any help suggestions will be appreciated.
 
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Check them for flatness, a friend of mine uses a large sheet of sandpaper and a flat surface. A few passes on the combustion chamber side will tell you if they are flat. Also check your piston and valve clearances before running them up.
 
I've never had a problem with them on a stock engine. However they do have a small combustion chamber and will increase yiur CR to about 8:1 and valve clearance may be an issue if the heads have been milled. I use small aluminum balls to check clearance between the pistons and valves. I also use copper gaskets on all my builds.
 
As above, also are they 8BA type heads? If so, normal 8BA gaskets, I prefer copper as I can usually reuse them if I'm pulling the heads for a peekaboo. Some are scared that the copper will promote corrosive electrolysis twix the dissimilar metals, which is scientifically correct, just the aluminium heads I've seen used with copper or composite gaskets all have the visible corrosion where there is no gasket contact. So in my experience either is good, I hate cleaning that composite gasket stuff off the block and heads, on early engines with studs, the devil's own work. Obviously the sticks to everything composite gasket is a one use deal, so a peekaboo is costly in time and money.
Your choice.
On the corrosion, how do the heads look around the water holes? Especially around the big wobbly holes behind the back two cylinders on each side, they get awful close to the combustion chamber back there.
Plug threads good? Sender and heater tappings good? How deep is the chamber over the top of the valves?
Martin.
 
Why when me and Ron put the word "gaskets" it has a line under the word? I didn't put it there, anybody know?
Martin.
 
Re : The underlines. I've seen them in some of my initial posts, but they later disappear, like others have said. I am now using Google "Chrome" as a browser; I don't remember having this problem with "Explorer".

As to Fenton heads, I hear they were some of the lower priced ones offered back in the day, and as such are made from lesser grades of aluminum. This means if they have to be welded, there may be a problem. I had a friend who had a set on his '50 Ford back in the late fifties; he really liked them.

If you decide for some reason not to use them, I would be very interested in them. I am putting together the "Fenton Flash", and already have the headers, floor shift conversion, the two carb manifold, and the 4 BBL manifold. I am short only the heads. If you want aluminum heads, I have a spare set of "Edmunds Custom" that I would trade.
 
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If your interested in fuel economy the Edmonds are the best commercial heads available today. Their HI CR 8:1 on stock displacement and a relocated spark plug allows you to run a power tip plug and lean out the mixture in cruise.
 
dumb person said:
Those underlined words are links to amazon.
Click to expand...

If you're right, you're going to have to change your login name. The underlines I've seen didn't seem to have anything to do with Amazon, but they go away so quickly I can't be sure. Having to do with links does make some sense.
 
Thanks for the information. This is the first time I have joined the forum but it won't be the last. I'll be sure to check the clearances before installing.
 
Ron, you say the Edmonds heads are available today? Who sells these?
Liking the relocated plug.
Thanks,
Martin.
 
What is the difference between Edmonds and Edmunds equipment ? I was aware of Eddie Edmunds who made dress up/speed equipment for a lot of different cars including the flathead. From what I have read, his equipment was not that well engineered or highly regarded, as his equipment was more show that go. He installed a lot of glitter on the stars cars. If I understand it he died early from a hard personal life. I can find that article again, I can post more details.
 
So it sounds like we all agree that it is Eddie Edmunds. When I run across that article on him and his equipment I will summarize it in a post. Based on what I have read, and understand about his personal life, showy equipment, quality issues and questionable engineering, I would favor more well respected products like Navarro, Edelbrock, Etc.
 
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