After removing Jim's strut-tower brace for better access, Mase removed the intake manifold and its related hoses and hardware, took out the short-tube headers, disconnected the ground straps, then unbolted the E7TE cylinder heads and set them out in the shop's "core" pile. Removing the timing-chain cover and water pump can be done in the same manner as the alternator/smog pump and their bracket, and is another great way to keep things moving. Although we're replacing fasteners with new pieces, it's still a good idea to keep an inventory of small parts such as bolts and tabs that are removed from the motor in case you need one of them when you're putting it all back together.
While several variables contribute to the production of horsepower, the cylinder heads are considered to be two of the main role players in a 5.0's overall power scheme.
Trick Flow's Twisted Wedge heads for small-block Fords (below) feature 61cc combustion chambers with stainless-steel 2.02-inch intake valves (back-cut for improved flow) and 1.60-inch exhaust valves.
The big difference between Twisted Wedge and other big-valve heads is that Trick Flow rotates the valve angles slightly and therefore eliminates the shrouding that's common in stock and other inline-valve heads. The spark plugs sit right above the center of the cylinder bores, and thus closer to the valves.
Once the lifters, timing chain, and stock camshaft have been removed and discarded, Mase installs the new Trick Flow camshaft (0.488-inch intake/0.510-inch exhaust lift, and 0.221 intake/0.225 exhaust degrees duration at 0.050) and timing-chain kit. It's critical to coat a new cam with a liberal dose of engine-assembly lube prior to installation. And be careful when pushing the cam into the block. If you're not, you could end up with a damaged-cam-bearing collection.
Prior to mounting the new heads, Mase chases each head-bolt hole to clean out any debris that may have fallen into the holes during the disassembly, and to ensure that the threads are true. We replaced the OEM head bolts with the ARP 71/416-inch fasteners that are included in the top-end engine kit.