aluminum head

[1977 SILVERLINE]

Has anyone ever replaced the stock 470 head with an aluminum 460 ford head. Is the 470 head special or will a ford head bolt right on without any modifications?

 

[missalot]

Re: aluminum head

They are the same heads. If you get some of the older castings like DOVE-C, they may have smaller combustion chambers. The difference is the water outlet on the front end of the head, a hole for the hose fitting needs to be cut in. I recently swapped one I had extra from a rebuild for my truck, I had a local machinist drill and ream the hole.

In my opinion, the aluminum head might be a better choice as it will expand due to heat similar to the block. but the cost of an aluminum head...

 

[1977 SILVERLINE]

Re: aluminum head

I haven't had any head problems or gasket problems yet, but I figured if I could keep my eyes peeled for an aluminum one i might go for it just to have one around.

I do agree that the block would get along with an aluminum head much better than cast and you can run a little more compression with aluminum.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: aluminum head

Mercury originally designed that block from the "ground-up" to be under a cast iron head.

I wouldn't doubt it if aluminum heads were available then and they could have used them but didn't......... either to keep the cost down or they just didn't think there'd be enough benefit to justify the cost.

Aside from your being able to maybe run higher compression ratios (which means you'd be spending several thousand doing a COMPLETE rebuild/machine-work + the head head work, porting, parts, gaskets, etc.....), It's probably just not worth it unless you find one (probably 2) on a busted 460 for next to nothing (and can sell the other head)

I would be putting my money toward a newer rotten/damaged boat with a 4.3L + matching Gen II drive behind it to swap out......instead of wasting any more money in an engine that was discontinued long ago....


Just my 2 centavos.....


Rick