Quest For Cylinder Heads

[JD1964]

I visited the local pick and pull yard this morning. They were only open for a half day on Thanksgiving but it was enough for me to scout. I saw at least 7 or 8 '97-'01 V8 Explorers with complete engines and GT40P heads. I also saw one '96 V8 Explorer with GT40 heads. The yard wants $53 for each head but obviously one would need to spend time to take them off the car. Interestingly, they'll sell the entire engine for $255.

These examples all had high mileage with anything between 150 and 250k miles. So, heads from them would need to be reconditioned which I know can add up in price and you might even waste time by ending up with a cracked casting.

I also see sellers on ebay with GT40P heads already reconditioned. With a bit of haggling I could probably get a reconditioned pair for under $500 shipping included. The other option might be finding a local person selling something on Craigslist or similar.

So what is your opinion? What do you think is the cheapest way to end up with a decent pair of GT40 or GT40P heads?

 

[mikestang63]

I wouldn't pay $500 for GT40/P heads, not when for a few hundred more you can get a used set of TW or other alum heads. Wether you buy them redone or do it yourself, you are looking at around 3-400 including the heads, cost for uopgraded springs, new valve seals, and if the decks need to be milled and guides done,-

$100 for the heads
$125 for springs
$30 for seals
Figure around $100-150 for machine shop


Doing it yourself means you know the quality of the work and parts. I'd look around on the boards as guys are always upgrading their setups. Last year I paid $150 for the explorer heads,upper and lower intake, a polished 70mm tb and egr spacer, fuel rails and 19 lb injectors from a guy changing his setup. I put in the TFS springs and a light mill to make sure the heads were straight.

There are deals out there if you are patient.

 

[clement]

either way they are going to need to be gone through. at $50 each that's not a bad deal. I would pick the one that looks the most promising, smell the dipstick, look inside the t stat neck for scale, ect. just general condition to see why the thing is in the wrecking yard. start tearing into it and if you see an issue abandon ship and start with the next one. people always talk about cracks, but honestly how often does that happen? you have to get one pretty hot to crack it. take a decent flashlight and look over the casting real well. take a valvespring bar so you can disassemble them and look for cracks around the seat up into the bowl area. if you inspect them well youll probably be alright.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Most heads are prob in decent shape. The average explorer probably wasn't hot-rodded around and usually drove by some soccer mom. They pop up on CL for $150-200 and are usually in decent shape. All require new springs, but you can usually clean them up yourself and inspect.

Odds are in your favor that any head will be good. If you can replace them yourself, you probably have enough knowledge of engines to spot an issue and move on to the next engine.


I'd recommend grabbing the intake as well if cheap enough. They sell for $100 on CL for the lower, upper, injectors and TB. If the yard will sell it cheap, buy it. It's gotta come off anyway, and you might as well turn a profit on it and reduce the cost of those heads.

 

[7upstang91]

Why are you set on a set of GT40 heads? Look, I get that everyone is on a budget now days. But, I picked up my AFR heads used, already machined for $800, deals are out there you just have to look. Chances are down the road you will end up buying heads again,

 

[f8tlfiveo]

For 255$ buy the whole motor..

 

[JD1964]

Good info guys. Thanks.

For 255$ buy the whole motor..

I know right? It's very tempting. Pulling the engine entirely is probably easier than removing the heads from the engine while its still in the truck anyway. One particular 2000 Explorer was really clean looking too. High mileage yeah but it had to be garage kept or something. The engine compartment and engine exterior was really clean. Time is another thing I don't have alot of. If I had time, I'd go for the entire engine. It's not totally ruled out but on the back burner now. I already have explorer intake and TB so I don't need that stuff. Besides, my current 302 only has 55k miles on it, and, it's in perfect working order.

BTW, thanks everyone for your input. I'm hell bent on the GT40's for now. Most likely the P's. I want to make use of the pedestal style 1.7 roller rockers I already bought. Most aluminum heads will require stud mount rockers. I don't want to put all that money into it now.

I did find a set of GT40P on local Craigslist. $275 and they look clean. Claims are no cracks and already have performance springs installed.
I'm wondering what the mark on the one exhaust valve is though. I sent a message and am awaiting response. Heres a pic of them.

 

[revhead347]

If the engine comes with the intake that's a good deal. You could ether use the intake or sell it. I'be seen those intakes go for as much s $200 on eBay.

Kurt

 

[JD1964]

If the engine comes with the intake that's a good deal. You could ether use the intake or sell it. I'be seen those intakes go for as much s $200 on eBay.

Kurt

I know. The place is loaded with them. That's just the location that is closest to me as well. There are three others within a hour drive of me. Crazy Rays is the place.

I just don't have time or space to be dealing with an entire engine right now. I would really like to find a good deal on a pair of heads that are ready, or close to ready for use. I already have everything else I need.

 

[sharp2377]

If the springs were replaced with trick flow or any of the other higher lift springs then I would say its a great deal. I paid $300 for my gt40 heads, $130 for the trick flow upgrade kit, and another $50 to have them cleaned and checked for cracks. I lightly ported the intake/exhaust ports and lapped the valves myself. Of course for a little more you could get better heads but I was in the same boat, go for it.

 

[sharp2377]

you could always sell the gt40 heads when your ready for nice aluminum heads. that's my plan

 

[cleanLX]

the heads in that picture are E7te's, you can clearly see the factory stamp.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I did find a set of GT40P on local Craigslist. $275 and they look clean. Claims are no cracks and already have performance springs installed.
I'm wondering what the mark on the one exhaust valve is though. I sent a message and am awaiting response. Heres a pic of them.

Top valve on left? Looks like carbon that wasn't cleaned off the valve.

For $275 I'd buy them. Usually $200-250 is the range for heads right off the truck. Toss in aftermarket springs (find out what brand and specs) and that's a good deal.

 

[Mustang5L5]

the heads in that picture are E7te's, you can clearly see the factory stamp.

I think the stamp says F7tE, which is the casting number for the 40P


Also, if you look at the top of the left head, you can see the 4 bars that are a give away for the GT-40 head series

 

[sharp2377]

Agreed, definitely gt40p heads. Mine have the 3 bars so they are just gt40.

 

[mikestang63]

the heads in that picture are E7te's, you can clearly see the factory stamp.

Nope, 3 bars showing on the top left head. GT40's.

 

[JD1964]

The 4th bar is there. It doesn't continue down to the deck surface and the light glare hides it. Also, look at the spark plug hole. Comes in more straight rather than angled as on GT40.

These are P's.

 

[JD1964]

I think I've decided on a plan. I'll go back to the junk yard and get an intake and heads from an explorer. Since I already have an intake, I'll sell the extra one I get from the yard and get my money back. This way, I get the heads free, minus the time I spend pulling them.

 

[NIKwoaC]

Should throw the heads on a roller 351 and take that engine for $255

 

[revhead347]

Should throw the heads on a roller 351 and take that engine for $255

I like the way you think.

Kurt