As some of you know, I aquired a set of 5.3 heads from a friend and was going to try and clean them up myself before I installed them with the FMS custom grind I have. Well after about 15 hours, I got one of my heads finished finally. Now I have to make a decision. I was planing on putting them on next weekend but I really want to have them milled. Could do the other head myself probablly in two evenings next week (going out of town this weekend) but that probablly would not leave me enough time to have them milled and possibly flowed at a shop. I am thinking of calling several shops and see if they could finish them and mill them even if delays the install another week or two. I am fairly satisfied with the job I have done considering but they could be much better with a professional touch. Here are a few pics... Tell me what you think.

 

looks prety good. what kind of abrasive did you use i have been trying to figure out the best thing to use for aluminum.

 

I got the standard abrasives porting kit from summit and a tree shaped carbide bit and extra cartridge rolls from Eastwood Co. The kit consists of several different sizes of cartridges rolls in 80 and 120 grit, a couple of 120 flap wheels and some cross buffs. The only place I could use the cross buffs were the combustion chambers and intake bowls or else everything would be shinny smooth.

 

Looks pretty good to me. I had my 6.0 heads P/P by a speed shop, but was thinking off tackling the 5.3l heads myself for a little more HP. What kind of HP do you think I could gain from P/P'd 5.3l heads on a 6.0?

 

they're looking good to me kenny. i hope they turn out good for you. you've spent a lot of time on them so far.

 

Yes, I have! That is one of the reasons I am also wanting to finish them myself then have them flowed... just to see how good (or bad) of a job I did.

OBX... I would stick with you 6.0 heads. By design, the 6.0 flow better so the only advantage of the 5.3 would be the higher compression without milling. I think you would be better off milling the 6.0 heads unless you are running a huge cam. Not to mention this job has been a pita so far, but if they turn out good, I will have the satisifaction of knowing I did it.

 

Not too bad there Kenny! Good way to save $400+ at the machine shop.
OBX, Kenny is right. The only advantage of using the 5.3 heads is higher compression. The valves and flow rates are smaller than your 6.0L heads, especially if you have the aluminum #317 models. People like the 5.3L heads because you get much higher compression without shaving a ton off the base, but they do have to replace valves, seats, etc.

 

Thanks guys!