Shelly,
Here are some responses I received a while back when I asked a similar
question:
Response #1: The aluminum and Iron heads are interchangeable. Nice to find
an aluminum pre smog head. And no matter which the car you find has, it is
very easy to switch to the other if you want. We run the aluminum heads on
the race R16's at Sloan Racing and we don't have problems with them at all.
Response #2: Unless you find someone who was totally anal about fixing the
car with correct parts, you will find aluminum heads where the iron heads
should be. It's no problem because the 1600 is still very reliable with
either head! Just watch the coolant levels and don't let the car overheat
(easier said than done!)
Response #3: The 67 and most 66's had the aluminum head. The earlier iron
head is reported to take more abuse (overheating) without warping. The
aluminum is supposed to transfer heat a bit better. I would not avoid a car
because of the head being
iron vs aluminum. I've had machine work done and have done combustion
chamber work on both and really can't say one is better than the other.
Response #4: It switched to aluminum. Yes, it warps more easily, threads
are stripped more easily, etc. The earlier iron heads are heavier but they
are more durable. The 68-70 aluminum heads have holes for the smog pump air
injectors but they are pluggable if you remove the smog pump or if you put
the head on an earlier car. Otherwise I'd say performance characteristics
are supposed to be the same.
HTH
` ___ '
Pete - (O o) -
----------------------ooO--(_)--Ooo---------
Lake Forest Park, WA
1966 1600 (SPL311-00799)
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of
MVaughn120@aol.com
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 5:30 PM
To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Subject: Cast Iron Head vs Aluminum Head
[snip]
I'm in the process of having the engine for my 66 1600 rebuilt. The machine
shop called to let me know there was a crack in the original cast iron head.
Last year, I picked up another 1600 engine which has an aluminum head. Both
are from 3-main block.
Are they compatible? Is there any reason not to switch to the aluminum head
and repair the cast iron head?
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