quote:
Originally posted by 22 Racer:
If I want to have an original appearance and the highest performance, are these heads the best way to go?
First, I hope your dieseling problem has been resolved, and the motor is now running fine on 91 octane fuel.
The part number "AE 3713 877126 32001" doesn't help me identify the heads.
I know you own a 1972 Pre-L Pantera, which would normally have a 1972 Cobra Jet motor in it, but I don't know if its equipped with the original motor or a replacement. So lets start from scratch, assume nothing, and cover the 3 best choices in stock appearing cylinder heads.
(1) If the motor in your Pantera is of the 1973/1974 variety, originally rated for 8.0:1 compression, and is still equipped with the dished pistons, the Australian 302C heads with 58cc combustion chambers is the most reasonable way to bring the compression up to around 9.9:1. Those heads have ARD1AE casting numbers. They have the small ports and small valves, but they aren't bad performers. Some guys like the lower rpm performance these heads provide to a motor better than the lower rpm performance the big port 4V vaiety of head provides to a motor. If the motor had dished pistons, these are the heads Jerry most likely installed. If these heads were installed on a motor with flat top pistons the compression ratio would be set at 10.4:1, which is a bit high for a typical street motor, but that much compression is actually a good match if the motor has a hot cam installed in it.
(2) If your Pantera's motor is equipped with flat top pistons the 1970/1971 variety 4V cylinder heads, casting numbers D0AE or D1AE, having either 63cc combustion chambers (D0AE) or 66cc combustion chambers (D1AE) will set the compression ratio at about 9.8:1 or 9.5:1 respectively, and that can be brought up to 10.0:1 with just a little bit of milling (0.012" to 0.030"). These are big port and big valve heads that can provide a motor with thoroughly good low rpm performance when used with the right cam, and the top end rush of a motor equipped with these heads is intoxicating and hard to beat.
(3) Scott Cook of Australia manufactures alloy heads and a matching alloy intake manifold that look identicle to the original castings externally, if you paint them Ford blue nobody would recognize them as aftermarket parts. The ports and combustion chambers of the heads, and the plenum and runners of the manifold, have been designed by Darin Morgan of Reher Morrison Racing Engines. He's recognized as a top authority on the subject of induction system design. This induction system would update your Pantera's motor with the most up to date technology, and is worth about 70 additional horsepower compared to unported 4V heads. The high swirl combustion chamber volume is 60cc, which would set the compression ratio of a motor with flat top pistons at 10.1:1. Scott's dual plane manifold amazingly gives single plane manfolds a run for their money at high rpm, while providing better response at low rpm; and the full height plenum provides the best possible manifold vacuum.
-G