Trick Flow aluminum heads Valve to Piston Clearance?

SEULDR · 09-16-2008

I just got a set of Trick Flow aluminum heads with 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust. I am running a non-roller 302 with a Lunati cam, lifters and valve springs. Will I have issues with the valve to piston clearance? I have gotten some mixed info on this and want to get as much input as possible. Oh, the short block is a standard 302 block. Thanks in advance.

MJ91GT · 09-17-2008

Yeah, people can tell you whatever you want to hear but the honest to God's truth is if it's gonna be close, check.

I was watching horsepower TV over the weekend, and they recommended using a still wrapped tootsie roll to determine ptv clearance.

Many recommend clay, but for me it was a disaster, the clay stuck to the valves and by the time I pulled it off, there was no way to tell. I turned it over by hand and didn't feel anything so I called it good.

I wish now I had checked better because the first time I rev it to 6500 rpm, I'm going to cringe and hope not to hear any noises.

Gregg@TFS · 09-17-2008

What size is the cam? Normally you are good up to .540" of lift but that also depends on the duration of the cam. If the duration is low sometimes you can get away with more lift.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEULDR

I just got a set of Trick Flow aluminum heads with 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust. I am running a non-roller 302 with a Lunati cam, lifters and valve springs. Will I have issues with the valve to piston clearance? I have gotten some mixed info on this and want to get as much input as possible. Oh, the short block is a standard 302 block. Thanks in advance.

**EagleAutosports** · 09-17-2008

And what head version are they? Twisted Wedge? Street Heat? High Port? Track Heat? R series?

SEULDR · 09-18-2008

They are Street Heat (i believe) Trick Flow aluminum heads. The cam is a Lunati 292 duration with .512 lift and 1.60 rocker ratio. I hope I'm stating that right. Not the biggest expert on cam stats. Just went with a cam that had a mean lick and good over all power.

The heads were purchased off of ebay around six months ago. I had them port matched then polished. They were then taken to the machine shop where they were decked, angle grind, new valve guides, new valves and new matching valve springs to match the cam specs. From what I remember the heads were advertised as Street Heat heads. Is there a good way to ID them otherwise? Thanks again guys for the info.

Gregg@TFS · 09-19-2008

Are the valves inline or are they staggered? Are there 4 bolt holes around each exhaust port or just the standard 2 bolt holes?

**EagleAutosports** · 09-19-2008

Yup, the Street Heat was also called the High Port and the exhaust ports have an embossed trapezoid shape. These are the heads I have, I know them well.

SEULDR · 09-22-2008

Yep, those are the ones I have. Anything I should watch out for on them? I need to eliminate the rear emissions ports. I forgot to ask the guy who did the heads. I assume that you can just plug them, right?

Gregg@TFS · 09-23-2008

Yeah you can just plug them. Double check your piston to valve clearance.

**EagleAutosports** · 09-23-2008

Yup, you just plug em. I think there are holes too that need small allen head plugs, they're the bolt holes for the crossover pipe. Without them, you could have an oil leak. They actually extend into the rocker area, you should be able to see them easily.

If they're those heads, the valves will be offset. BE AWARE OF THAT, your rockers will be slightly offset as well, you will need one of two things.
1- TFS stepped guideplates, without them the rockers could move due to them being slightly turned and cause you to drop a valve... happened to me. With the guideplates, you can use standard stud mounted rocker arms.
2- get rockers specific for those heads that has the slight offset. Omega Gear used to make them and I have a set, I could take a picture if you need to see this offset.