[Slumlord]

This is one topic that I know has been discussed but I was hoping to get a bit more specific about what our options are and eliminate some concepts and rumours about what might work.

SOHC options.

I am aware of the stock NA, The D port, and the 2.5 head which someone told me was updated with a more well designed combustion chamber.

There are the aftermarket Aluminium heads which appear to be the exact same casting as the stock iron heads, examples being Esslinger and Rapido.


There are also known shops that have great options such as Boport.

For DOHC there is the known Volvo swap and a rumour I would like to clear up, the Cosworth YB head. (The Lima and the YB are both derived from the Pinto block, the Lima being of larger displacement than the YB. I imagine this swap is not possible or else it would have been done by now.)

What have I missed?

[b_chandler]

Stock N/A is too vague. It's the Baskin-Robbins of Lima heads.

From 74-89 there were a couple different D and round port castings. 89-95 were the first dual spark plug years and the end of the 2.3L. The 2.5 was the last Lima and had the last head casting which was an improvement over the first DP head, but not necessarily better than previous 4 plug heads. The biggest deal was the smaller valve stem diameter.

There's also more than one Esslinger casting. To say they are exact replicas of the factory head is like saying that two women perform the same in bed because they are both blonde.

There's a company that was working on a new cast iron head, and actually built prototypes, but I haven't seen any updates in quite some time.

[ExtrmZ]

from what i know the carbed motors had oval intake ports

[mg man 75]

Per Bopart. Best head 83-84 Ranger round port. Per him take a ton of work but best. This is for Turbo appliacation. Now also there is the Volvo SOHC. Still need extension on head and custom intake and exhaust manifold but some are turbo head and don't need custom pistons and valves from what read so far. So a little easier to do but not much.

[J. Rhapsody]

IIRC there were two different Dual plug heads.

[ppcmcmiles]

2 different type of dual plug heads? please explain that.

[DROPTOP STANG]

nice topic but i hae one also.

when have u got head in your 2.3 lol

[Slumlord]

I have three 2.3 motors an 87 and 88 both naturally aspirated and an 88 turbo from the T-bird. Currently I am running the 87 Drivetrain in an 88 drop top Mustang. I am planning on rebuilding the 88 TC motor and I am still blueprinting at this stage. I guess I would have to say that I have a healthy obsession with the concept of the Ford Sierra and Ford of England racing and am applying that to the Fox Platform with American parts. I like to take my time, explore my options and build it the way I want it the first time. Currently, I am preparing the platform ie, building the suspension and braking system.

[mg man 75]

The later model Dual plug head there is 2 differant ones. Way I understand. [Haven't seen etc]
Info on 2.3 head differences castings etc. Boport Forum - Head Casting #'s

[rickibrat2]

think you are also missing at least 2 other heads

the was a head used on the boat motors and also a head off the industrial motors, both of which are based on the 2.3 pinto motor

i have a built on from a 1985 small jet boat where the pinto boat motor was used the nice part of the boat motor's is they had the steel cranks