Are there heads for Carb. and some for fuel injec? Some one was telling me that there diffrent.is that true? I have a 85 5.0 that i am fixing up and going to sick with the carborated form. and i am thinking of changing the Cylinder Heads and i dont know what kind to get. What all do i need to look for. what do i need to consider. Thanks
Starting in '87 (even though fuel injection on the mustangs started in '86) Ford put a different set of heads on the 5.0L. That's probably what they're telling you. I couldn't say for sure, but i'm willing to bet a considerable amount of money that the '87+ heads are a "little" bit better than the prior years. I wouldn't consider spending the money to upgrade to them though. If you're looking for a different set of heads to bolt on, you've got a couple of options depending on how much you want to spend. For the money, the GT40P's are a good deal (but difficult to change plugs on). You can get 'em off ebay for really really cheap. Other than that, i'd only consider an aftermarket set of heads--putting bigger valves and porting a set of stock heads ends up being almost the same cost in the long run, but you're a lot further ahead with aftermarket heads.
so i have to change my pistons when i change my heads? i was just going to put a new cam and heads the pistons still are preaty good. the guy who had it befor me put on a lot of edelbrock stuff but didnt change the cam or heads so i was going to just finish what he started.
any time you make major changes such as cylinder heads or cam which can affect piston-to-valve clearance, you really should check the clearance. might be okay, might not. but it gets really expensive when you don't check it and it has changed for the worse. just be aware you need to check it and be ready to correct too tight a clearance. i would say that if you pull the heads and the pistons are flat without any notches you will probably have a problem.
I have one of those 86 motors with flat top pistons and no valve reliefs. I picked a cam with .543 and .568 lift so I have to change or fly cut my pistons (.005 interferance on the intake and .094 clearance on the exhaust). Still havent decided what to do with this problem. The 87 and up 5.0 heads are better than the 86 heads and probably the 85s also. You can pick up a set of 87 and up heads for $50-100. I got one set for $150 from a guy at the ford dealer. he just got them back from the machine shop (valve job and milling). I bought another set for $50 from a guy off www.Corral.net. He was local so I didnt have to pay shipping. They are heavy so shipping would cost as much or more than the heads will. I would look here ttp://www.corral.net/forums/index.php?s= in events and regional or the classified section. Someone should be local with a set laying around. On the 86 motor it gives you 25-35 extra hp with just the head swap. I think there will still be enough P-V clearance but it needs checked. No two motors are the same.
