302 Aluminum Heads Please Help
#31
RE: 302 Aluminum Heads Please Help
mxrider426, I'm not trying to bust your chops, nor am I an expert, but that E cam will suck if you are running it in a 331. The 331 requires some type of aftermarket heads, and a much better cam than the E cam. You could probably get by with some GT40s, if they professionally ported, but you need to look at a dual pattern cam, better yet a custom cam for your stroker. I learned the hard (see expensive) way.
#32
RE: 302 Aluminum Heads Please Help
For a budget build, since you already have the E-cam, I would pick up some gt40s, and have your Uncle port them, along with a 3 angle valve job and you'll have a pretty good iron head. If you can find a set of used aluminum heads that aren't trashed, that would be even better. Unless your flat tops have valve reliefs,you'll be limited to a 1.90 intake valve. Edelbrock Performers (part 60379)&AFR 165s will work, as willthe Twisted Wedge heads (they have 2.02 intake valves, but work with stock pistons). I haven't heard of anyone trying the Patriots (2.02 intakes) with stock pistons. I would think there would be PTV clearance issues.
#34
RE: 302 Aluminum Heads Please Help
ORIGINAL: Texas5.0
I love how everyone jumps on bandwagons around here.... I have patriot heads and have been very, very happy with them. The first sets of heads for the 5.0 were on the low quality side. I don't think this has anything to do with thecontinued quality of the heads. All new products go through a period of adjustment until bugs are worked out. Patriot spoke with me freely when I called andasked them about the posts I was reading concerning quality. I did a lot of research on these heads before I got them. One thing I noticed was almost every post I read about the "nasty" patriot heads started with "my friend..." " I heard..." "I read..." I looked for days before I found anything that was first-hand knowledge. I have no regrets with my purchase.
I love how everyone jumps on bandwagons around here.... I have patriot heads and have been very, very happy with them. The first sets of heads for the 5.0 were on the low quality side. I don't think this has anything to do with thecontinued quality of the heads. All new products go through a period of adjustment until bugs are worked out. Patriot spoke with me freely when I called andasked them about the posts I was reading concerning quality. I did a lot of research on these heads before I got them. One thing I noticed was almost every post I read about the "nasty" patriot heads started with "my friend..." " I heard..." "I read..." I looked for days before I found anything that was first-hand knowledge. I have no regrets with my purchase.
#35
RE: 302 Aluminum Heads Please Help
I'm not following you on the "You are an example of real world experience and also part of the reason for my negative opinions on the patriots". I did have an initial issue with the heads, they were shipped back to Patriot, repaired, shipped back, put on all at no expense to me. Why would that be a bad thing? I called Patriot and spoke with a real live person and they spoke openly with me about some initial quality issues. They did not make excuses and made it right. Great customer service in my book and I got a set of heads that significantly improved the performance of my car. So why would this reinforce anyones negative opinions?
#37
RE: 302 Aluminum Heads Please Help
The first set... several of the valve seals backed out. Patriotreplaced all of thevalve seals along with the valve guides. I am running a stock cam - I ran out of money on the last repair so the cam got scratched off the list.