0331 vs hesco aluminum

[NorCalChris]

I have a renix head, 7120, and a 0331 head. For my stroker I was planning on a port job to the 0331 head( its a revised casting). I read somewhere that the hesco aluminum head is basically a 0331 head just aluminum. Can anyone else verify this? Im in the process of collecting heads so I can cut them with the band saw, but Im not gonna cut up my only 0331 head to compare to hescos pictures. Im hoping someone who has delt with both can chime in here and potentially save me 2k. =]

[I6FAN]

Good question NorCalChris. I think the aluminum head is patterned after the 0331, or at least with the "raised exhaust" runners. I think the HESCO head can be ported much more. There are a few here running them maybe someone else can chime in??? I'm thinking the deck on the Al head is going to be much thicker than the iron head, no matter which casting. From what I've seen on the flow data comparing all the heads, the 0331 should "port-up" real nice, and maybe be the best of all available heads sans Al head can be made to flow much more. But, these heads only need to be mildly ported anyway depending on intended usage. If you get a head cut, please do share the info; I've been curious of the internal thickness and design of the backside of the combustion chamber. The Alabama Cylinder Head heavy duty Jeep head is supposed to be a thickened/strengthened 0331 from what I understand. The early 0331 has a tendency to crack at the water jackets/rocker pedestals. After 03' they introduced a "fixed" head that supposedly has the letters TUPY casted on it which would signify a strengthened head.

[SilverXJ]

I think the HESCO head can be ported much more.

According to Lee @ Hesco that is true.

I'm thinking the deck on the Al head is going to be much thicker than the iron head, no matter which casting.

It is. Stock is 3/16", Hesco's is 5/8" http://www.hesco.us/img.asp?tn=showandt ... &id=208492

The Alabama Cylinder Head heavy duty Jeep head is supposed to be a thickened/strengthened 0331 from what I understand.

From what I have heard that is how I understand it. I've never seen one in person though.

After 03' they introduced a "fixed" head that supposedly has the letters TUPY casted on it which would signify a strengthened head.

I believe the TUPY refers to where it was cast.

I also though that it had a raised valve cover rail so you wouldn't need a spacer w/ roller rockers, but from what I see in that picture the pedestals and the valve pockets are lower.

[4.whoa]

I also though that it had a raised valve cover rail so you wouldn't need a spacer w/ roller rockers,

If you are talking about the hesco head,yes they were made to not need the spacer. Also they have larger pushrod holes so you can pull the lifters without pulling the head.

[SilverXJ]

Ahh.. I knew the push rod hole detail but had forgot it.

[NorCalChris]

Ive looked at the Hesco head alot. It says 30hp gain. I noticed the intake ports look different on my 0331 head. They have a little notch on the top of the port. So I believe the intake ports ARE different. I wonder if the 30hp gain is real?

[4.whoa]

I guess it depends if you put it on a stock 4.0 or a hot stroker jp magazine did an article on one a while back but I don't remember if they dyno'd it or not.

[NorCalChris]

Has anyone else gone from a 0331 head to a hesco head? What did you think? Was it worth the purchase?

[jsawduste]

Recall in the old Yahoo Jeep strokers forum that the Hesco and stock were a wash in the out of the box comparison..

Now, having said that. The Hesco head opens up all kinds of possibilities considering you have more material to play with (think porting) then the 0331.

Like you Chris I`d like to see someone whom has done an in depth comparison of both a modified 0331, 7120 and the Hesco.

[Cheromaniac]

Ive looked at the Hesco head alot. It says 30hp gain. I noticed the intake ports look different on my 0331 head. They have a little notch on the top of the port. So I believe the intake ports ARE different. I wonder if the 30hp gain is real?

I believe that the 30hp gain applies to a stroker set-up but it's not as simple as bolting on the head and hey presto, you have an extra 30hp. That gain may only be possible if you also use a Hesco cam, oversize injectors, and tune the PCM. Even then, you'd probably need to have a high flow CAI, larger TB, and full exhaust from the header back already in place.
You'll soon realise that the extra 30hp will cost an arm and a leg so be prepared to dig deep into your wallet.

[I6FAN]

IMO the HESCO head is a nice piece, but it seems to be way over-priced. Take an AFR head for a SBC for example: two separate head castings and machining operations, two more cylinders worth of valve components--price--~$1500--. Now look at the HESCO head: one set-up for machining operations, and two cylinders less worth of valve components--$2000--. I don't see the HESCO head at being anymore than $1100, $1200 tops. IMO the HESCO business model needs tweaking; look at all the strokers and 4.x's being built out there, more than just on this sight, wouldn't you want your head on all those engines???? But instead, when you come across a HESCO head it's a rarity. HESCO does make a lot of "top-shelf" stuff, but when they're the only game in town they play it $$ $$.

[mcthnif]

Been checking the Hesco website periodically and the head is never available anyways. Never. I'm beginning to thing it's more rare than Bigfoot.

[Cheromaniac]

I don't see the HESCO head at being anymore than $1100, $1200 tops. IMO the HESCO business model needs tweaking;

Since Hesco's heads are manufactured in much smaller quantities than AFR or Trick Flow, the unit cost will be much higher so I don't think Hesco would be able to sell theirs at just $1200.

[SilverXJ]

IMO the HESCO head is a nice piece, but it seems to be way over-priced.

I too feel its over priced. However, there aren't exactly any other options available.

I believe that the 30hp gain applies to a stroker set-up but it's not as simple as bolting on the head and hey presto, you have an extra 30hp.

I recall a forum post of a person that bought the head expecting a 30HP increase on a stock 4.0L. Not so. The engine basically has to have a large bump in compression and some tuning to realize the 30hp.

[I6FAN]

Apology to OP on kind of high-jacking the thread!
What really is needed is for someone like Edelbrock to get into this. They do their own casting and machining, and bulk buy all head implements. While the SBC price comparison may not be accurate because of contract quantity, if you use the BOP (Buick, Olds, & Pontiac) heads as a base comparison, I bet they could offer a head in the $1,400 range. (Classic Inlines offers a Ford 200/250 head for $1,350 bare and $1,750 complete. They were going to offer one for the 240/300 Ford six before the economy tanked, and now may be back on track for that(?)). While maybe not the best heads on the market for certain applications, you have to appreciate the bold initiative of Edelbrock to diversify into the different engine brands they make heads for. I read somewhere that Edelbrock was contemplating the Jeep 4.0 market(?).