Fitting Early Heads to 8ba engine

[Pete from OZ]

Hello,
I have two questions regarding fitting Early Heads to 8Ba engine.

1. Is there any advantage to doing this or is it just for looks.

2.Does this affect the Cooling system in any way.

I know you have to block a couple of holes in the Block, and one on your Drivers side head.
I will be using Aluminum Heads.
Thanks,
Pete from OZ

 

[rotorwrench]

The only advantage might be if a person has some of those old 81A heads or others with higher than average compression. Most folks do it to get tha 8BA to fit better in the earlier cars that still use generator mounted fan and want it to look like stock.

The 8Ba heads have the larger passages at the back to promote better coolant distribution so it may run cooler with 8BA type heads.

 

[19Fordy]

I did it because it makes the engine look more "old school" and still keep the benefits of the side mount distributor. Would even be better if I had an alternator that looks like a generator.