3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

[q5ka]

I had a friend ask me an interesting question that I have not thought of. He has a boat similar to mine (with same motor) and we are both aware of the issue with Cast head and aluminum block heat issues. He is about ready to rebuild his motor as the rest of the boat is fine and like myself, like the motor. He asked if I heard of anyone getting an aluminum performer head with same casting as the ford 460 head and put on this motor. I did not see anything on here and I have not so I ask, has anyone heard this and what are your thoughts. There are a few heads out there for power (HD truck type) that are aluminum which would take care of the different heating/expansion issues while not having to reconfigure the entire system.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

breezeworks.com will know or have the head, if it's possible. Good luck

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: 3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

There are lots of go fast stuff available for the 429-460, including aluminum Cobra Jet heads, problem is all those hypo aluminum heads with their huge ports and valves are most efficient at RPM's in 6000 and up range, if your reciprocating assy can handle the RPM's then heck yea there's a whole plethora of stuff you can do with it.

 

[q5ka]

Re: 3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

breezeworks.com seems to not work. breezeworks.net seems to work but they only have a cast one. Thanks for the heads up though as I heard of them before but many may not have. I doubt he will change the RPM's as the alpha one cant handle that many RPMs for long. I think he is trying to prevent a problem and make his rebuild dependable.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

The problems with the 3.7L engines (aka 470) were never the head.
More like head gaskets, cam seals, charging system, cooling system, etc. never anything about the head. So I guess your friend wants to change the only good thing on the engine, right????

 

[q5ka]

Re: 3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

He was thinking switching the head to an aluminum head would take care of head gasket issue since the block and head expand at different rates. He has already switched the alternator out to an external one (I still have my internal one and will wait until it fails since it is not if but when). If you dont think changing the head to an aluminum head will help, then that will be the answer. I do thank everyone for their thoughts and help.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

There wasn't a head gasket issue unless there was an overheat. normal operation did not cause a problem with it.
With an aluminum head, AND an overheat, I would think you would have even more problems.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: 3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

There wasn't a head gasket issue unless there was an overheat. normal operation did not cause a problem with it.
With an aluminum head, AND an overheat, I would think you would have even more problems.

Oh definately!
Cast iron barely moves

 

[q5ka]

Re: 3.7L (470) aluminum head replacement?

ok, thanks everyone for their input. I will tell him (and make mental note myself) that it would be nothing gained.