2.3 head shaving

blacksheep-1

Member
Oct 21, 2006
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I have a stock 2.3 (1993) with the double plug head. I was wanting to use this engine as a "mule" to sort out my car. Would any of you know how much I could shave off that head to get 11.5 compression, and suggest a cam. I just need enough power to be competitive, the killer motor is a year away.
 
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From what I have been told, milling the head to just below the lowest intake bolt holes will yield around 12:1 compression. As cams go, you already have a factory roller cam, so if you can find an old Ford Motorsport A237 camshaft, that will go right in it's place as it is made for the roller followers. Also try Esslinger and Racer Walsh.
 
Maybe I'm too tired, but I'm not cetching your meanings well now. Don't you road race an NA 2.3?

I don' t see a reason blacksheep can't mill to the intake manifold bolts, even using factory parts. That's around .120 as I recall (at least on the older single plug head). Assuming he has the octane to run it of course. You can figure 1cc loss for each .007 milled of the head. Also, be aware the cam will be retarded slightly when you mill the head. I think around 2* if you go all the way to the intake bolt holes.

Also, milling the head won't cause the engine to smoke. I assume you mean a couple thousand miles of road racing before it starts smoking?

running totally factory stuff you can get away with shaving .065" off of the head. Takes a good couple thousand miles to have it totally blowing blue smoke, and thats over a 200,000 miles bottom end. Comes to life by comparison, no idea on the cams.

As for cams, don't go too wild. You'll end up hurting the mid range and the head definately doesn't have flow for top end power. The A237 is probably a good choice for you, or at least a good starting place.
 
From what I have been told, milling the head to just below the lowest intake bolt holes will yield around 12:1 compression. As cams go, you already have a factory roller cam, so if you can find an old Ford Motorsport A237 camshaft, that will go right in it's place as it is made for the roller followers. Also try Esslinger and Racer Walsh.