Where does one get a 12 port aluminum head and how much of an arm and a leg does it cost?

It depends on the engine and who made it. About two months ago I sold an Algon head for a GMC 302 that was incomplete for $6000. I cant speak for a Chevy head as I don’t know much about them, But for a GMC you might try finding one of those Wayne heads that were left at Carol Shelby’s machine shop because they were not paid for by a certain someone. Or you can call Joe Fontana and by one his Skinner heads.

Are you looking for a 12-Port for an early Chevrolet (216/235/261) or for the early GMC (270/302)? If you are looking for an early 216/235 head (15 bolt) Pat Ganahl has a very nice package for sale. When it comes to the GMC heads there are several options available generally priced from roughly $3000. on up. If I can be of assistance give me a call at 253-307-5255

Pat Swanson

Any idea what Pat wants for his chevy head?

one question what is a skinner head ?? thats a new one to me. is there ever going to be some make the gmc 12 port head again ? as many guys that are looking it shure seems there would be a market.
thanks terry

Joe Fontana sells the skinner head, it’s a 12 port for the GMC. Here is a link to it. http://www.fontana-automotive.com/gmc.html

Gentlemen;

There's a market, us "hard core" inliners. Unfortunately that's not enough.

A lot of money was spent here in California to bring back the Wayne Mfg Co. and a great start was accomplished.

Somehow it fell apart and is presently "on hold" etc.

Perhaps we'll see it come back. This probably would take 'half a mill'.

Any takers??

I don't know about the Wayne and Skinner heads, but there is a company in Arizona now making and selling aluminum heads for Ford inline sixes, and they have plans to market aluminum heads for the late model 194-292 Chevy engines in the (hopefully) reasonably near future. The name of the company is Classic Inlines, and you can find their website if you do a Google or Dogpile search for it.

Aren't they the ones (Classic Inlines) invled in an inline 6 Ford buildup in one of the mags currently (I can't remember which right now, but its a Ford only rag IIRC)?


Yep, Classic Inlines (and Mclearran Racing), Pg 30 of the November 2007 issue of Mustang & Fords.

What about the Alan Johnson head for the Ford six? I know he makes wild Hemi heads for the Top Fuel guys, which make monster power. The six has big valves and a nice 37cc combustion chamber. Just curious has anyone run one? I posted the link to the head.

http://www.alanjohnson.com/ajpframe.htm

Forgot to add when you go to the page, click on the cylinder heads then go to the bottom where it says six cylinder and click that on to get to the page.

The Allen Johnson head is a race only piece. The head has no provisions for water.The bare head was going for around $9,000 IIRC plus the cost for everything else = $$$$$.Very nice for those who can afford one.

Actually you can get a remake of any of the old heads for the GMC. The Arias is the old Howard and I believe the Wayne Manufacturuing fiasco has those patterns. I hope they will be available again

Don Ferguson has the Fisher/Horning patterns and the original Wayne GMC patterns and has made some of those heads. He currently uses one of his on their Bonneville streamliner. He has also cast up injectors for the Wayne.

The Tom Skinner head is made by Joe Fontana and some are available. I saw the castings when I was there. Rocker covers and side plates go along with it. I also believe he cast up the injectors also. Both my roadster and the Goldman roadster ueed this head and Injector.

All of them use stock rockers. The Horning/Fisher rearrainged the port configuration so a different cam was needed. The Wayne and Skinner do not have combustion chambers. The Horning does. Not sure on the Howard/Arias.

We don't see many on the street as it takes extra cash to do them, but everything seems to take a lot nowdays. Good luck I hope you find what you want.

Arias made rocker assemblies for the Arias 12-port and the "stock head." i have an Arias rocker assembly on my GMC 302.

God's Peace to you.

d
Inliner #1450

James

I think all the info you got was for the early engines.
If you are looking for a head for a 250 engine, you might start at Sissell's Automotive.

Nexxussian,

Yes, Classic Inlines is the shop doing the build on the Ford Six, and it's a 3-part article in Mustangs & Fords Magazine. They're building a turbocharged Ford six that they're attempting to get about 400 hp out of, and yes, it is a Ford only magazine. I'm eagerly waiting for the final installment in the next issue.

Anything available for a '59 261?

TTT. Anyone?

Bert,

A few years ago it appeared that the new Wayne Mfg. Co. would be a reliable source for new 12-port heads for the 18-bolt 235 and 261s. However, a variety of problems seems to have suspended operations.

If you read the historical review of the 12-port heads in the "Historical" link to the left, you will find in Part Nine of the 12 Port Story by Herb Hall that Bob Toros may have made about twenty heads for the 18-bolt 235-261s back in the late fifties and early sixties. These were the 1200 series heads listed in Pat Swanson's 12-port Registry, also in the Historical link. I have not seen many of these heads available on the open market.

Did you see Pat's note above? I have heard that it is possible to modify a 15-bolt head for installation on a 261, but I'm not sure if it is a practical way to go.

Hoyt, thanks for the info. I imagine that if one did come available it would cost a bit of change.
That link was great. It would be great to get an update from "Jack" about how his engine turned out. I am currently building a 261 stroker with parts from Mr. Langdon. With my budget, I'll have to settle for an 848 head.

Dear Bert;

There in the $4,000 'range' for a complete head with manifolds, pushrods & sideplate/valvecover. Finding one is the problem.

I sold my 34 (3 window) with a Wayne/278" engine, Muncie 4 gear for that in 1983.

Worth 5 times that today.

Happy trails.