Installing aftermarket heads, Am I getting ripped off?

How hard is it to install a set of edelbrock RPM heads om my 302 motor? I have put a few set of heads on motors before but they were all stock setups. I have never installed aftermarket heads, So i am in the dark in regards to this. I don't feel confident with setting up the geometry with the pushrods and valve train.

Now would it be best to have my mechanic put these on? He has never put on aftermarket aluminum heads, He has put on a few sets of world products heads, And a few sets of HP ported heads, The rest have just been stock cast iron setups. Any help would be gratly appreciated. Thanks.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: BLACK65FORDFALCON on 9/24/04 10:22am ]</font>

No big deal if you've done it before. Should be some instructions with the heads.

Here's some good valve train info:

http://www.compcams.com/information/Products/Pushrods/

Good luck and have fun. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]


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Its not hard, don't worry. The first heads I installed were aftermarket...everything works fine. good luck

Wow, wouldn't you believe it but we have several article on that very subject, including one on installing the very Edelbrock heads you speak of:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...or/index.shtml

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2...on/index.shtml
[addsig]

Its easy not very hard to do. you can have it done in a few hours
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Thanks everyone. After talking to a few shops I think that it might be best to put these heads on myself, Then there is no one to blame but me. The 3 shops that I talked to were between 6 and 10 hours labour to fully install the heads WTF[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] That is just crazy, I don't really have any experience with installing heads like these but I was only counting on between 3 to 5 hours to install. I can't understand how it would take a licensed mechanic 6 to 10 hours to install?

Also all 3 of these shops couldn't figure out what I am talking about in regards to certain pushrod lenght. They all agreed that i need hardened pushrods for this application but were puzzled about pushrod lenght. i talked to the head mechanic at one of the shops and he is running e-brock heads on his big block chevy. He said that he just bolted everything down, Made sure that everything looked good and that was it. He runs his big block chevy at the local track and has one of the fastest cars on the island, So I know that he knows what he is doing but I am puzzled about him not using a pushrod tool to measure everyhting out correctly. Does he think that he is just that good that he can do it properly by eye? I don't know what to do, And I don't want to ruin my new heads that I paid $1300 cdn for. Can anyone help shine some light on this matter. I never knew that installing heads was this confusing. Please help it would be greatly appreciated, As I am ready to throw the white towell in[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img] Thanks once again.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: BLACK65FORDFALCON on 9/24/04 10:56am ]</font>

If he doesn't use a pushrod length checker then stay away from his shop. You cant "eye ball" rockers.

have ago at installing them yourself,use the right head gasket,check the pushrod size,you might get lucky and not have to change lengh,i did,but there are plenty of articles around showing how to do this,you will have the satisfaction of doing it yourself plus some experience not to mention the money youll save not having to pay for all that labour-good luck-steve
[addsig]

HI
Just do it your self..
Nothing to it espeicauly sence you done some..
Just use the right gasket.
tq in the right sequince
and use a push rod legth checker. (cheap tool)
and your rolling in the dough you saved.
Tim[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_spin.gif[/img]
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Also make sure you have the right bolts. The 302 install requires a bushing in the head or stepped bolts because the heads have 1/2" holes and the 302 block is 7/16 IIRC. (they do this so the heads can be put on a 351 without drilling)

Make sure you get the gasket surface on the block AND the heads absolutely clean. VERY, VERY clean. And get every little piece of crud out of the cylinders. When you're ready to install the gaskets, clean the surfaces again and dry completely - I use paint prep stuff designed for oil and grease removal. Do not touch the gasket surfaces after drying. Torque in sequence and you should be fine after that.
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