# Big block ford heads **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 7, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/big-block-ford-heads/49967 "2010-06-07T04:22:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Red-Tail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Red-Tail](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Red-Tail)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/big-block-ford-heads/49967/1 "2010-06-07T04:22:26Z")
What are a good pair of heads to look out for? I am looking for some good flowing heads for a big block ford. I’m not looking to be crazy hp, I just don’t want to buy junk heads. I don’t have enough money to buy a set of alum heads, but could afford some port work on some old cast iron heads. I might be able to nab a pair of thunderjet heads form the early 1970’s, would those flow pretty good? thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/big-block-ford-heads/49967/2 "2010-06-07T04:54:13Z")
I took a quick look at my data book and it shows that on the 429 engines the Thunderjet, etc. had certain size valves and oval ports. The CJ heads had larger intake/exhaust valves and enlarged ports. Here’s a kicker on this issue if you’re interested. The book states that while the following is not widely known, the 1972-1974 429 and 460 Police Interceptor engines both used the CJ cylinder heads. With some digging you may be able to find these heads cheaper than what a porting and large valve installation job would cost. And of course, if you scored a pair of those heads why leave them alone? Anything from the factory can always be helped along a bit. ---
**Author:** ![kmccune](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kmccune/32/1237_2.png) [@kmccune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kmccune)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 10:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/big-block-ford-heads/49967/3 "2010-06-07T10:14:22Z")
What were good heads for the FE series?-Kevin ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/big-block-ford-heads/49967/4 "2010-06-07T16:10:49Z")
The book is a bit hazier on that one. It does state that all FE heads used the same valve sizes except for the 406, 427 Low Riser, and 428 CJ/SCJ. Much of the differences were in the size of exhaust and intake ports and there was quite a bit of variation on the different FE engines. Even the book referred to “confusion” being common. ---
**Author:** ![kmccune](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kmccune/32/1237_2.png) [@kmccune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kmccune)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/big-block-ford-heads/49967/5 "2010-06-07T22:00:55Z")
Thanks,that is a very helpful reply-Kevin