I'm thinking about getting the e street edelbrock heads for my 87 302 in my 65 mustang. Thinking of going with the e-street mainly because of the price/performance ratio, and all i'm looking for is to get my engine into the 350 range.

Do I need a kit like this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CMB-08-0042/ to install the heads correctly or is there a more economical way.

I dont think the push rods in that kit are hardened though and I guess you need that for theses heads. Thoughts?

 

If you call Summit's toll free number, you'll find that they will offer more useful advice than you'll probably find here.
E street aren't that much cheaper than lots of other performance heads. You might be better off with some GT40 heads.
Cheers,
Brian

 

E street heads seem like a good value. You get what you pay for though. That kit will work with guide plates because they are chromoly (better than hardened). However a 6.700 in. length should be way too long. maybe for trickflow heads? I would buy all my items seperatly and use an adjustable pushrod to get correct length.

 

Uh, what do you have against this forum (or its members)?

I'll never call Summit tech. Ever. Everyone I know that has called has been given crappy or incorrect advice at some point.

E streets are ok. Not fantastic, but a decent bang for the buck. Better than the Windsor Jr's that used to be a good deal.

I agree completely with Thumpin. Get pushrods separate after you've measured for proper length.

 

yea ive gotten bad advice from summit before. you might wanna look at some other brands before you make up your mind. give us some specs that you want for your heads and we can help you look. also try craigslist, its amazing what kind of deals you can find on there

 

gt40 heads for 200 bucks here in phoenix az!!!

 

if your gonna buy alum heads id look t the AFR165 heads and a nice dual pattern cam along with roller rockers

 

Well, perhaps I am the exception here, but I've had pretty good luck with Summit's phone guys. But I also do a lot of research before I buy. And, I've gotten some really good advice from the guys here as well. So, I've got nothing against this forum.
The latest Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords has a budget buildup series that features the E Street heads. If I remember correctly, they got 30 more horses for about a grand. If I'm not mistaken, The GT40 heads yield a 40 horse gain for considerably less money. If I'm going to spend a grand on heads, I'll wait until I've saved some more money and get some Trickflow or Dart Heads, or even some RHS's.
Thinking outside the box for a minute: What if you could find a reputable machine shop locally, and bring them your heads and a grand? Or, a pair of GT40s off an Explorer and $800.00?
Cheers,
Brian

 

if i were to buy brand new heads i have to spend another 500 on a kit just to install them???

dont these things come complete?

 

you dont need a kit but you do have to have hardened pushrods for the guideplates in the heads(unless you have early 289 heads with the close tolerance slots) and adjustable rocker arm if you currently have rail or pedestal style then head gaskets etc etc