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Old 05-30-2021, 10:00 AM   #1
hotrodcbx
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Default early heads on 8BA block??

I have a 8BA with early heads that Mark Kirby built in the mid 90's
Been a great motor but I want to remove the heads to de-carbon after many miles. Do you use the later head gaskets or the pre 48 gaskets?? Thanks..
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Old 05-30-2021, 10:15 AM   #2
19Fordy
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

You use the gaskets that "match" the early heads. Also be sure they match the bore.
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Old 05-30-2021, 11:25 AM   #3
hotrodcbx
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

Thanks!!
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Old 05-30-2021, 11:56 AM   #4
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

You might want to consider other ways to de-carbonize without removing the heads.
You have to remove the carbon from the valves also. Others will know more than I.
Lots of videos on You Tube.
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Old 05-30-2021, 11:29 PM   #5
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

Quote:
Originally Posted by hotrodcbx View Post
I have a 8BA with early heads that Mark Kirby built in the mid 90's
Been a great motor but I want to remove the heads to de-carbon after many miles. Do you use the later head gaskets or the pre 48 gaskets?? Thanks..

Why do you need to de-carbon? Is your engine a smokey oil burner? If the rings are good, you shouldn't have a carbon problem. Since gas is now unleaded, a major source of carbon has been eliminated.
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Old 05-31-2021, 01:39 AM   #6
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

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So do you use a chisel or something to remove the carbon?
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Old 05-31-2021, 02:10 AM   #7
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

You an de-carbonize the combustion chamber, by running water threw the carb, while the engine runs.

Use a small coke bottle and hold your thumb over the end. Rev the engine to about 1500, start the water and open the throttle more, when the rpm drops. You can let it rev to ~2500. Regulate the water and throttle to do that. After the water goes threw, let it clear itself and return to 1500, for a few seconds and your done.

It will not hurt the engine. I learned this from my mechanic, dad when I was 12 (1957).

Th super heated steam, does all the work.
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Old 05-31-2021, 06:01 AM   #8
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

Be sure to mark the heads left and right, as the right side will have a plug in one of the front coolant holes
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Old 05-31-2021, 07:11 AM   #9
hotrodcbx
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

Thanks for the tips on carbon removal guys. Actually I have about 75,000 miles on this engine and after a compression check all cylinders were 140 except for cylinders 1 & 2 which were 115. I'm thinking there could be a gasket leak between the cylinders. I also notice more white vapor coming out the right exhaust, possibly coolant as I have had to add a little from time to time. I will be doing a leakdown test to see if I hear any valve or cylinder leakage. I will be replacing gaskets with Best Graphtite. I was going to use Cometic but they are quite expensive. When I last talked to Mark Kirby before his unfortunate passing Cometic were his choice.
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Old 05-31-2021, 09:29 AM   #10
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Default Re: early heads on 8BA block??

Seems like the best thing to do would be to replace only the leaking gasket , not both.

No sense looking for problems that don't exist. Check out Seafoam videos on You Tube, also.
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