cast VS aluminum heads
- Thread starter 55 dude
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JM 35 Sedan
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19Fordy
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Here's some info: http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/heads.html
and this is very interesting. Be sure and read all of it.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-117771.html
Polished alum dissipates less heat than unpolished.
and this is very interesting. Be sure and read all of it.
http://www.camaros.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-117771.html
Polished alum dissipates less heat than unpolished.
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To answer your question---It is very difficult to make direct comparisons between iron and aluminum Flathead heads simply because the chamber configurations would be VERY difficult to make identical matches of. Getting identical CR's would not tell the whole story.
Because the chamber surface area is enormous the Flathead engine would probably give up more power, when switching to aluminum from iron, than other engines.(everything being equal) Some power loss can be avoided by using modern coatings. However, iron heads can be coated too.
Aluminum heads will wear the head gasket much more than iron but this is not a factor with engines that only see a few thousand miles per year. I saw that Cometec has now introduced a MLS head gasket for some Flathead engines. This would seem to be the ultimate choice for using aluminum heads on a Flathead engine.
Because the chamber surface area is enormous the Flathead engine would probably give up more power, when switching to aluminum from iron, than other engines.(everything being equal) Some power loss can be avoided by using modern coatings. However, iron heads can be coated too.
Aluminum heads will wear the head gasket much more than iron but this is not a factor with engines that only see a few thousand miles per year. I saw that Cometec has now introduced a MLS head gasket for some Flathead engines. This would seem to be the ultimate choice for using aluminum heads on a Flathead engine.