I need new heads for 351W

JoeinNY, are your new gt40-P's machined for rocker studs (adjustable) or are they still set up for the pedestal mount rockers (non-adjustable)?

When I rebuilt my engine I had the heads cut for bigger valves, ported and installed new springs and retainers, but I did not have them machined for rocker studs. I still chose to use roller rockers but for pedestal mounts the selection is pretty slim. I chose Ford Racing Performance Parts and I am using the following Ford Racing Valve Covers. These valve covers say they don't work with roller rockers but mine fit fine. I think, but I'm not positive that standard valve covers will work with pedestal mount rockers but not stud mount rockers.

Now for some advice. Since your heads have been machined and you're putting them on an old engine if they haven't been already I would have them machined for rocker studs so you have adjustable valvetrain. With a modified engine it is very difficult to get the proper geometry and lifter preload with non-adjustable rockers. I ended up having to measure the needed pushrod length individually and then shim a few pedestals to get all of the rockers in an acceptable window for pushrod length. I then had to order custom length pushrods. I'm only talking a few thousandths of an inch but in valvetrain it makes a difference. If I would have had adjustable rockers I wouldn't have had to go through any of that trouble. Either way a pushrod length checker is a cheap and necessary tool.

Sorry for the long post

A lot of topics on GT40 heads P or no P.
Not only here but also other forums.
Which will fit on what.
On early type CC
and on type 2001 CC before 1990
and on after 1990 type CCSN 196.
Above mentioned have different styled exhaust manifolds as far I have read and seen pictured.
The story is plugs will hit the manifold, is it just a story or will it hit.

I have a 1991 CCSN 196 with a 351W as time comes upgrade should be nice. Cannot afford to buy those that will not fit.

Should be nice to figure it out and put it in the review section as official.

Keep in mind that my Interceptor, with GT40P heads, is a 1968 vintage 289. I do not know if the 351 manifolds will interfer with the GT40P heads.

Joe, imho, roller rockers are really only usefull when extreme high RPMs require very high valve spring pressures to keep the lifters from floating. High spring pressures will wipe the cam lobe hence the need of roller rockers. I doubt that your RPMs in boat will ever get much over 5K so standard valve springs should be adaquate and therefore no need for roller rockers. Spend your money in another direction (imho).

Am I having a deja vue here?

BTW, I finally pulled my boat out of the water just long enough to install my new ACME 540. Interesting results. I start a new thread.

They claim better horsepower due to lower friction and all that, maybe. They claim to be easier on the valves, push rods, and cam lobes, probably. They are more stable at high rpms which I plan to never reach (unless you get really heavy roller rockers then combined with heavy valves your your going to actually increase the chance of valve float). All I know is I like the concept, there seems something archaic about rocker arms that have to wobble back and forth billions of times (alright I did the math it was like only like 3 million wobbles last summer) having nothing but a ball and cup joint (albiet a well lubricated one) to work with. I am a big fan of bearings, I like the concept I am going to give them a try, even though it is possibly a case of more money than brains. Oh and I found a set of slightly used (owner had them on long enough to dyno them and a set of 1.7s and decided to keep the 1.7s) scorpion adjustable pedestal mount roller rockers that my machine shop is selling me for 80 dollars which is just plain cheap. Nice to be doing this in the off season this time so I can hunt for deals and not pay overnight shipping charges on everything.
Btw, these are the heads that I went with Tristate Cylinder heads. They also were recommended by my local machine shop, I will let you know when the heads arrive how they look.
    Jim, I am very interested on your new prop results can't wait to read them...
-Joe.

Joe...great heads...big valves...notice they almost touch.

I've been on the Dyno (very expensive exercise but a great learning experience) and the roller rockers with the bearings add HP/Torque from top to bottom....not 25 HP as advertised but close enough. I bought mine from Ford Racing. JIH is right, if it makes it more fun then buy them!

I have Edelbrock tall valve covers with Holman Moody exhaust. Fits good. If JIH got 5 HP from a chrome distributor there's no telling how much HP I got from those shiny valve covers.

JIH, not roller lifters/cam, but roller rockers with the pedestal bearing and roller tip in them to reduce friction while rotating. Ford Racing has roller tips with the roller bearing. Some cheaper versions have the same metal stamped pressed rocker with only a roller tip.

The HP gain was 10-15 HP in the 2000 to 4000 RPM range. Since (on the boat) I was working the heads over to larger valves and mild porting I thought it would be another good add since I had seen them work in a 351 on the Dyno. With the Roller Lifter/Cam and premium Roller Rockers I think 25 HP is a pretty accurate estimate.

We slalom ski a lot and at 3200 to 3600 RPM running down the lake for hours on end IMHO this is very hard on an engine thus the roller rockers. If you need to run greater piston to cylinder wall clearance due to heavy loads like truck engines etc then again, I was focused on the application and tried every trick in the book to make the little 289 run harder. Right after break-in we ran 4 tanks of gas per day for a week trying to make it around all 6 balls. SOme of the guy's are pretty big and that 289 never lost rpm, but she did very throaty on the Pull Outs.

I also recall you saying you lost a little compression with your new heads. If you can't run a thinner gasket to increase compression, you may get the performance back by adding roller rockers with a little more ratio/valve lift since you probably have plenty of valve clearance. Call Ford Racing and they can maybe help.

Good Luck