Cracked head- pic

burner31

burner31

Well-known member
Two cracks from bolt hole to water jacket, nothing to the cylinders
Is this head any good to use?
Your opinion matters.
 

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Which head would be better for me, the high dollar 6/1 or the 5.5/1
Keep in mind I'm not racing or touring, just cruising around town checking out the old women, why old women...because they tire easily. :)
 
I'm not racing either but I would prefer the 6 to 1 head for the extra power for the hills and passing when necessary .
 
Yours is probably OK to use as-is. This is a common place for them to crack, it is not in a area where high pressure is found.
 
I agree with Jim and Dave. Would not hurt though to use some sealant around the stud just below the head nut.
 
Higher compression head to get away from older ladies husbands ! I would go with the pros on reusing the head, if money is a problem.
 
this is what i have gleaned from years in the parts business. People always call and ask which head should i put on my car. The first question i ask is what is the babbit like on the bottom end. If you put one of those heads on and the babbit isn't good you will beat the babbit. I cannot tell you how many guys i talk to purchase either the 5.5 or 6:1 head and a couple of weeks later call and order a bunch of engine parts because they beat the babbit out of the bottom end.
 
That is an early head on a later block. You could re-use it or find another original head, or as others have said if you have good bearings buy a new head.
 
Y-Blockhead said:
Snyder's charges the same for both the 5.5 and 6.0.
Click to expand...

IMO, you'd be nuts to buy the 5.5 when the 6 is the same price. I agree with the few above, that your head is usable. But, with the opportunity the head being off, I'd go for the 6:1 head. Yours is a good candidate to be one with weeping problems. Your water holes show a lot of rust.
 
I had one cracked in the same location and had the same questions you have. I finally decided that the crack was where the compression leak into the water jacket was occurring--and I know it does not look like that is possible. But I really did not find any other place the head gasket was leaking.

I ultimately did not try to re-install my cracked head. I bought a stock, used head from James Rogers at Dreamwerks, cleaned, magnafluxed, re-surfaced and ready to paint and install for a very reasonable price. Best decision in my situation.

See the old thread:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167112

W. Michael
 
Yes that head you show is fine to use,for grins I use my thumb and push at little sealant in the crack and wipe it off flush with the head...The snyder 5.5 is a copy of Ford engineerings heart shaped combustion chamber used on the 'police' head in 1931..the actual difference in the seat of the pants from 5.5 to 6 to 1 is negligible,especially if everything else is stock..
 
I originally bought the Snyders 5.5 head and installed it. I was so impressed with the performance, better hill climbing, faster pickup, that I sold it and installed the Snyder 6.1.

I am very happy I changed it out. There was a noticeable difference from the 5.5 vs 6.1. Although not as noticeable a change as was the original 4.2 to 5.5 swap.

I can not imagine what a 7.1 head would be like. If someone made one that looked original i would go for it.
 
Bottom end is good. so I have the 6.1 head on the way, I'll keep the old head for a spare, instead of a boat anchor.
Thank you all for your input, what would we do without each other?
 
old31 said:
I originally bought the Snyders 5.5 head and installed it. I was so impressed with the performance, better hill climbing, faster pickup, that I sold it and installed the Snyder 6.1.

I am very happy I changed it out. There was a noticeable difference from the 5.5 vs 6.1. Although not as noticeable a change as was the original 4.2 to 5.5 swap.

I can not imagine what a 7.1 head would be like. If someone made one that looked original i would go for it.
Click to expand...

Got a period cast iron 7 to 1 head..it says 'winfield' on it..runs good.
Tod Buttermore is making them now,brand new
 
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