Hi all...Can i use my older (1978) but better head on my newer (198?) engine? I suspect a warped head on the newer one. Thanks, Gray
I forgot to add, that the valve covers are different, but i am hoping that the heads are not.

The dates that you have posted do not really match up with the question being asked. the newer head will interchange with an old block. 198 slants were produced between 70 and 74 only.

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75 dart custom, 225, >10.5-1, hurricane, 500holley, erson cam, 904, 8.8 ford 3.55 or 3.91 aussielocked, 17" steelies, and much more.

"198 slants were produced between 70 and 74 only" as in 198 vs 225? By that answer do you mean that the older head will fit on the newer block? The only difference is the valve covers?

All slant six heads will bolt to all slant six blocks. Your post 1981 slant six has hydraulic lifters, therefore you will need to transfer the rocker arms and shaft from your 1980s head to the 1970s head to ensure proper oiling. I believe the 1978 head has the "stepped" rear rocker shaft bolt, so you shouldn't run into problems there.

Oops, probably a little confusion there due to a typo. It looks to me as if a 198 engine is not in the equation. The way I read it, the original poster's original engine is a "nineteen eighty-something" (hence "198?") unit. From the description (different valve cover), it sounds like a 1981 or newer hydraulic-lifter engine.

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Thanks for the answers! Yes, i did mean 1980 something. And yes, this newer engine has hydraulic lifters, and the old on had solids. So, I can either change the rockers and shaft, or...change the lifters back to solids? Let me know if changing to solids is not a good idea. Thanks!

Changing to solids is only a good idea if you also change the cam to a non-hydraulic cam. You have to match the cam to the lifters.

Got it. Of course you're right, it makes sense to me now. Thanks all for the help!