1988 Ford F-150 Aluminum Heads

Tiny
MARK ROGER WEBB
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 FORD F-150
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 125,000 MILES
Replaced original cast heads with aluminum heads. Aluminum radiator flow checked good. New waterpump which turns counterclockwise with serpentine belt original. Throttle body and plenum original. Temperature sending unit new and gage reads right at 12 oclock. But when rpm is increased top radiator hose collapses just like a dead worm. When the engine is stopped you can feel the top hose bubbling as if it were overheating. Could this be bad water flow do to increased heat from aluminum heads? Timing is set to 5 degrees btc with plug pulled. Also engine has mass air system too.
Monday, March 16th, 2009 AT 7:11 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
Try adding more coolant, sounds like the coolant may be low. How about a headgasket leak? Was proper heads put on? Some heads wont work, an oil or coolant passage may be plugged.
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Monday, March 16th, 2009 AT 10:46 PM
Tiny
MARK ROGER WEBB
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  • 6 POSTS
I was informed that the engine is an 187 HP Type N block. The heads are Strike Force SB Ford 210cc chambered with large valves. Heads have a PC3038-0704-0190 number stamped on them. I think you are right about the wrong heads because of the water jacket castings. I tried blowing air through the water jacket at the thermostat crossover port and it is very restricted, not like the original cast heads which have plenty off flow chambers. I am calling the Strike Force today and ask about HO engine(+300HP) modes versus N block (small +180HP) heads.
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 AT 4:50 AM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Good luck, call them and check that information out. I wish you luck!
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
MARK ROGER WEBB
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I called Strike Force about heads. They said the large valve heads are made for larger ford engies with carbs not throttle body. It comes down to heat transfer to me when it comes to cooling. So the question I have is. Each head gasket has the waterports blocked off at the front of the gasket but open in the rear of the head for flow. What if I open the blocked holes in the gasket in the front and allow more water to flow? I am distroying the flow of water from the waterpump thru the cylinders and radiator? Or am I allowing a better cooling flow of water? Thank, Mark
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 AT 9:41 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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If theres coolant passages in the block there ahs to be in the heads. Also where it matches with the manifold t hose ports have to be open. If not it is ruining your flow.

Aluminum heads dissipate heat fast so that shouldnt be causing your problem.
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 AT 9:56 PM
Tiny
MARK ROGER WEBB
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  • 6 POSTS
Thanks for the help. The 302 head gasket has the front ports of the head blocked off. The gasket is marked " FRONT" and the large ports for water are blocked off. Which way does the water flow thru the radiator.I know it sounds crazy. But something is wrong with this picture. You are right about the aluminum heads giving off heat better. As long as the hot water has someplace to go to get cool.
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 AT 5:10 AM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Front of the gasket goes on the front of the head, by front of engine, where the pulleys are.

What you mean how the water flows?

No ports should be blocked off. At all.
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Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 AT 9:04 PM
Tiny
MARK ROGER WEBB
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The heads are being bench checked for flow. I was told that the stock head gasket was to be used with these modified heads. With the stock heads on this engine, it never had a issue with hoses callapsing or heat. Back to the drawling board. Thanks for your help.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 4:27 AM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Try the old heads. Does it work? Or do the same thing?

Compare teh passages of the old ones to the new ones, they should be exactly the same passages or youll have problems.
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
MARK ROGER WEBB
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The old heads did work fine. As for the matching of ports and water jacket holes. They dont match. As I said, I called Strike Force and they stick to their story that the original head gasket should work. I think there are different gaskets for the 302's for different configurations. I should have the heads back from the flow shop in a couple days. I will let you know what happens. Thanks again, Mark
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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I eagarly await your reply from what you find!
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Thursday, March 19th, 2009 AT 9:07 PM

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