Aluminum heads...bad idea for heavy towing?

[MikE1]

I have a 79 F350 thats getting a stroked 460 and I'm thinking about getting a set of the Edelbrock Performer RPM heads for it instead of rebuilding the stock iron ones. Only thing I'm concerned about is the truck is going to be used for a lot of heavy towing in the mountains, so I want to be sure the aluminum heads will be able to take the abuse as the cast iron ones would. I know they hold up fine in race applications, but I would think towing up the hills would put more stress and heat on them than a short race would. And I know the Dmax uses aluminum heads, but heavy towing is exactally what the designers had in mind with that engine.


Any info is much appreciated

[Tripower38]

Hi,

I would think that as long as you have a heavy duty cooling set up you should be good. Maybe a 3-4 row radiator with electric cooling fans and a good way to keep the exhaust manifolds cool you should be ok.

my 2 cents
- jason

[MikE1]

Hi,

I would think that as long as you have a heavy duty cooling set up you should be good. Maybe a 3-4 row radiator with electric cooling fans and a good way to keep the exhaust manifolds cool you should be ok.

my 2 cents
- jason

There is a 4 row radiator and a heavy duty auxillary trans cooler that the previous owner put in it. All he did was tow a 5th wheel with the truck.
I'd rather stay with the machanical fan as it will move more air than the electric ones will (maybe not at idle).
As for exhaust I'm gonna get a set of headers. Probably Headman Elites or L&L headers

[demonranger]

as has already been mentioned the big factor is the cooling of the engine.

The aluminum heads are fine but when overheated they tend to warp easier than cast iron which is thier big drawback. If you blow a radiator hose and don't realize it and overheat that way then there is a CHANCE that you have warped your heads. When I say overhead I'm not talking getting it hot to around 200 or within 50 or so degrees of your thermostat but when you're well over that.

[rock-rod]

Edelbrocks are built with high quality and think decks. I don't think you will have any problems. If I were going to put aluminum heads on a tow rig, the edelbrocks would be my choice.

[MikE1]

The aluminum heads are fine but when overheated they tend to warp easier than cast iron which is thier big drawback.
Right, thats what I'm concerned about

My hoses, belts and everything else is always kept in tip top shape on this truck, and I have a habit of constantly watching the temp and oil gauge, especially when towing. So if it starts to heat up on me I will ease off the pedel.


Thanks for the info guys