#6 PostAuthor: debben1 » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:54 am
Hello Pigford, to answer your question you do not need to change the head, the pistons are machined to accomadate the stock combustion chamber shape and achieve the designed compression ratio. I would agree with Jack thay the 1260 is not a good size when used with the stock block as the large liners leave the casting to thin to support the liners properly, another problem is that the stock block bored right out and with the casting resess between the liners is that very little gasket purchase area is left, which leads to a real chalenge in obtaining an oil tight seal. The biggest problem with the 1260 conversion is the risk of a liner dropping, this is where the 1325 big block conversion wins, much more liner support, bigger and a more substantial gasket purchase area, so you really have a choice of 1170, which is straight forward, reliable with out many other modifications requied and so inexpensive or if you want more then skip the 1260 and go for 1325, but you will need to bore crankcases, fit heavy duty cylinder studs, weld the crank, fit higher lift camshafts, better valve springs and a shim under conversion as well as bigger carburretors, I have used my 1325 on the road for many years with out any issues, my 1260 engine before it did drop a liner though. Steve