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1500 head on 1300

waltesefalcon

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My friend who bought my 1500 just rebuilt his 1300, but did no head work. He has leaky guides, and I was wondering if there is any reason my recently rebuilt 1500 head. I don't see any obvious reasons they wouldn't considering all the internal parts are the same and the water jackets and oil galleries all line up, the head gaskets are even the same. One last thing his 1300 is the later block. Thanks for any advice.
 
I do believe that the heads are interchangable.
 
Darwin hey buddy good to hear from you and thanks for the tip.
 
The head will bolt up all around, and everything else will bolt up to it. I don't have spec's handy, but it's very possible that the 1500 head could be thicker and, therefore, give a slightly lower compression, but it probably wouldn't be enough to make a noticeable difference?
 
I have a 1500 head on my 1300 engine so I can tell you that it absolutely will work. However, the compression ratio will be VERY low. If I recall, something like 6.5:1 or so. I had my machine shop take off ~ 1mm from the head and the CR ratio is still lower than I was aiming for. (I wanted 9:1) I got closer to 8.something :1.

Since the head probably has been worked on some time in the past, you should measure the combustion chamber volume and calculate what the current ratio is and how much metal needs to be removed. A GOOD machine shop (particular someone who deals with hot rods or other performance vehicle) should be able to help.
 
70 Herald is correct. When you put a 1300 head on a 1500, it results in very high compression, so the reverse is true when you go the other way.

I think he would be better off to rebuild the 1300 head. I tool in a head with all new valves, springs and guides and the machine work with a three angle grind cost $200. Only diff with him is he really needs to put hardened seats in, which is going to cost more moolah.
 
Bill that's why I was thinking of my old 1500 head is I had just gone through it and even went with hardened seats.
 
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