Porting C8VE-E heads
 

Has anyone had any success home porting the exhaust ports on BBF C8VE-E heads. I noticed there is a large hump protruding into the exhaust port about half way in and running all the way in to the exhaust valve. Does this chunk of metal serve any purpose? Is there a water galley or something behind it. Is there any danger of damaging the heads by grinding it out some? If so, how much metal can be safely taken out.


Thanks for the input.


Also considering having larger valves put in. Right now the valves are about 2.08 and 1.66. What size is recommended if I choose to have them replaced?

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

I do not believe you can take ALL of the exhaust thermacter (whatever they call it) hump thing out but you can reduce it a little for sure.

I remember someone doing a port job on a pair 4 or 5 years ago here on FM... Forgot who though...

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

Hopefully someone else will chime in but I seem to recall removing the bump completely when I did mine.(1969 thunderjet 429 and it was many years ago)..I read in a magazine article that removing the bump and smoothing the roof was worth 13hp and 7.3 ft/lbs torque on a dyno test....
The cobra jet heads had 2.19/1.73 valves so those might be a good size to go to..

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

You can grind it down smooth with the port. Even if drilled for the air pump. You'll see a cast solid log like casting in the head then the lump into the port. Ford drills the length of the head then into the lump from the valve side. This makes for the air pump.
Have a set all ported in my shop. :tup: Remember to only grind it smooth with the port, not down deep into the head.
http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/home...e-c-heads.html

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

Do you have any info on replacement valve sizes? Are you for or against changing valve sizes?

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

I have a worked over pair of C8VE heads in my garage that have had the valve size increased from the stock size (2.09 I & 1.65 E) to the DO0E-R (CJ/SCJ) valve size of 2.24 intake and 1.74 exhaust.

They've also had the intake ports brought up to 2.6" x 2.25" the exhaust side has minimal amounts of work done to it, mainly just the removal of the air boss and some mild smoothing at the top of the exhaust runner

I'm waiting on a short block rebuild before I run them, but from everything I've read/heard the c8ve --> dove heads in this configuration make more power then the CJ/SCJ heads make. From what I've gathered this is due to the intake/exhaust runner ratio being suboptimal. You can help this on the DO0E-R heads by removing the air boss and smoothing out some casting humps on the exhaust side, they're pretty easy to spot.


If you're porting on the intake side you've got tons of room to work with. About the only thing to watch out for (unless you're porting ridiculously huge) is the top sides of ports #2, #3, #6 and #7 if you take too much here its pretty easy to breech into the threads for the valve cover bolts.

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

Those would be the valve sizes for the Police Interceptor heads. :) Those were a little larger then the c8ve heads but smaller on the intake side then the CJ/SCJ valves. Same with the port sizes, middle of the road between the passenger car heads and the CJ/SCJ heads.


Still a good head, best easily available in the '72-74' range if those are the years a guy was looking for.

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

Ford did an article back in the early 70s on this head setup. Stock heads ported and CJ valves, 2.25/1.73s installed made and extra 60HP on an otherwise stock 460. Just putting a 850 over the 750 Carb size is worth 20HP. This engine needs air and exhaust flow badly and with a little better cam, lot some BMF cam, and it will make 425+hp easily.
Bigger valves? Hell yes :tup:, but make sure they open up the pockets right under the vale seats.

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

Silly question I am sure. How do i Determine the CFM of ny Holley DP/DL? I can't find any numbers or don't know where to look or what to look for

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

What should I expect to pay to have the larger valves installed? I am already at work grinding all the crap out of the exhaust ports. Sure is a nasty gritty project. I sure hope it pays off.

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

When I start going back together with the engine is a standard Fel Pro gasket set advisable or is there a better option? FYI it's a 460/.060 C8VE-E heads and D1-something block,flat top Speed Pro pistons on Eagle H beams and Eagle stock stroke crank. I think it should be really close to 11:1 compression ratio. I am not sure when it is advisable to maybe go with some type of high perfornance gasket set.

Re: Porting C8VE-E heads
 

I like to use the Ford Racing performance head gaskets for general rebuilds with mild street/strip use in mind.

Depending on the type you buy they tend to have the least amount of compressed thickness for the price and they're easy enough to replace if needed.


On my newest 460 build I'm running Flatout head gaskets. First time using them, but they seem awesome so far. Multi-layer stainless steel compressed thickness of I want to say .045. They're not cheap but from what I've heard they're almost indestructible.

My old 429 SCJ was running SCE Copper head gaskets. I loved them, never had any problems and the motor made a ton of power. Those used to run I think about $100 a set, might be a little more expensive now since copper prices have shot way up.