TR6 TR-6 Head Question

[davidk]

Will a late TR-6 head work on an early TR-6 engine? The later block has a groove for the head gasket, but I think the surface on both heads is flat. I already have later exhaust and intake manifolds on the engine. Thanks, David K.

 

[DNK]

Shoot, A GT6 head will fit on any TR6

 

[AltaKnight]

My '73 TR6 (which is a later model) has no gasket groove in the head, just in the block.
I think it was the same on the early model heads also.

 

[Trick6]

There is an earlier thread on the TR6 head differences. Some one out there should refer you to it. I don't know how yet.

However, the 1st thing to do, when it comes to the TR6 head, is to stop thinking "early and late" and start thinking narrow intake ports and wide intake ports. The exhaust ports are the same on all. You can't even think low compression or high compression any longer to differentiate early and late. For there are low and high compression heads in both narrow and wide intake port configurations.

Now, with that said, the later year head has the wide sweeping intake runners. Looking at the manifold gasket numbers, there is one for years 69-71 and one for years 72-76.

All TR6 heads are interchangeable onto any TR6 block, groove or no groove. All exhaust manifolds fit all heads. It is the intake manifold that has to be programmed.

 

[rotoflex]

The later blocks have a recess for the head gasket, the heads do not.

If you've got the recessed block, you'll need the later head gasket.
If you've got the non-recessed block you'll need the earlier (copper) head gasket.

The recess was to locate the head gasket & reduce HG failures. Some folks think it worked, some think it made it worse.

 

[Brosky]

David,

Whatever you do, use a Payem gasket set.

Here's a couple pictures, one of a recessed block and the other of a late head machined as any TR6 head would look.