84 5.0 heads

Topic: 84 5.0 heads (Read 1628 times) previous topic - next topic

84 5.0 heads

November 14, 2018, 07:14:34 AM

What is a good head to put on a 84 non roller set up? Will gt-40 heads works or should I look for something else?
I'm going to ditch the cfi and do a carb setup. How much h.p. are the stock heads good for? Also is there a good cam recommendation.
410 gears, headers/exhaust, 2500 stall, 4 barrel.

84 5.0 heads

Reply #1 – November 14, 2018, 07:46:07 AM

Find you a good used set of Trick Flow/Edelbrock heads and put in a Comp XE270 cam and have some fun.......:burnout:

84 5.0 heads

Reply #2 – November 14, 2018, 04:01:03 PM

I am pretty sure the '84 motor will not have valve reliefs cut into the pistons so you have to be careful about having enough piston to valve clearance with the heads/cam/rockers you use. Call Comp Cams and see what they would recommend as I am out of my element with flat tappet cams. I would still think you would need something that will favor the exhaust side though.

84 5.0 heads

Reply #3 – November 14, 2018, 07:51:50 PM

I used an 86 short block in my build adding Edelbrock heads and a Ford F303 cam (blower grind) and had to add valve reliefs to the pistons. I’m using 1.6 roller rockers as well. The speed shop I used had a setup to machine the reliefs into the pistons with them in place right in the block.

84 5.0 heads

Reply #4 – November 14, 2018, 09:19:58 PM

If it were mine and assuming I had to stay with the '84 shortblock instead of just swapping to an Explorer 5.0L/87-95 Mustang 5.0, I would take the money people are telling you to spend on a flat tappet cam, and use it to buy a set of Morel or Howards drop-in link-bar roller lifters that will basically make your non-roller cam engine..a roller cam engine. Buy a used stock 5.0 HO cam for $20 if you want good power and excellent street manners, buy an aftermarket cam if you want even more power and are willing to trade some of the smooth street manners for it. Use aftermarket roller rockers if you use the aftermarket cam. Stock rocker arms are not a smart choice to be used with a performance cam. Make sure your heads have the correct valvesprings for the cam you choose.

For cylinder heads, your stock pistons may be an obstacle to adequate piston to valve clearance as mentioned earlier. This limits your head and cam choices unless you are willing to either swap shortblocks, pull the engine and change pistons, or notch the existing ones if its determined to be needed. The cheap, fast, and easy way is to notch the pistons in the motor yourself if you have some patience, basic tools, and reasonable mechanical knowledge. I've done this several times with excellent results, not a huge deal, just time consuming.

Stock 84 heads without porting or bigger valves will probably start leveling off at 200-250 hp, even with supporting mods to help them. This is probably on the high side for most real world situations. I'd say most people that have them would be lucky to be making 160hp to the wheels. They are a good candidate for a dumpster heave-ho. Don't hurt your back doing it.

84 5.0 heads

Reply #5 – November 15, 2018, 02:28:00 AM

The TFS heads are a canted valve design. Flat tops aren't gonna be an issue with those heads. that's one of their benefits on top of being one of the better flowing designs. This has been covered here more than once before. If you're patient, you could probably find a set of them for 800 USD.

84 5.0 heads

Reply #6 – November 15, 2018, 06:56:26 AM

Thankd for the info.
Sounds like I should just pick up a explorer and go from there. Can I get headers to fit the gt-40p heads and also clear the column shift? I will still be going with the 4 barrel setup with a torker 289 intake.

84 5.0 heads

Reply #7 – November 15, 2018, 07:05:19 AM

Thanks for the info.
Sounds like I should just pick up a explorer and go from there. Can I get headers to fit the gt-40p heads and also clear the column shift? I will still be going with the 4 barrel setup with a torker 289 intake.
Also will any cam that works in the 87-95 mustang also work in the explorer motor?
Like the xe270 mentioned above?

84 5.0 heads

Reply #8 – November 15, 2018, 08:39:23 AM

The Explorer 5.0 is a roller motor just like the 85-95 5.0 Mustangs so any roller cam will fit but again you have to check the PTV clearance which the rockers will also play a part in. The 5.0 came in the Explorer from 96-01 with the GT40 heads being on the 96-97 years and the GT40P heads being on the 97 1/4 -01 years. The 1/4 is weird but it was a mid production change.

How to clear shorty headers with column shift (there are more so just do a search):

https://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?9628

https://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?9478