i'm considering a loaded clearwater head for my 2.6L. i'm mainly concerned about who is running that, but anything else will probably be good info for other users coming down the pike.

i've seen a few people who have issues with clearwater heads, but then i've seen other who don't. i guess with anything that is somewhat popular, there are detractors or issues. i'm not sure. i do know that i am not anxious to spend much more than 400 bucks for a loaded head and machining to get my stuff to work on a bare head will make it all about the same cost.

I have been running a clearwater for over a year now with no issues at all.

I've run Clearwater heads on my 2.6's, starting maybe 7-8 years ago and have never had an issue with them.

John B.

Just a thought but you might get more response if you titled your post more accurately/precisely such as "Opinions of Clearwater heads wanted from users".

I'm running one with no issues. Bottom line, IMO, is that any head that does NOT have the jet valves is going to be better than a stock head.

I've never had issues ith the jetvalves, They always crack in between the valves.Even a njv caravan head is just as prone to cracking as the oem heads.
It comes down to either you want to pony up the money for a manral or magna head or you dont.

I had a rare marnal jet valve head, overheated it sooooo many times. We are talking pegged while drifting my old drift beater, and never bhg or cracked a head and it had a 18g on it.

i'm interested in opinions on any aftermarket heads. alabama, the cheap castings from the starquest dude in Ohio, Randy, etc.

i'd love to get a marnal head but i can't justify a head that costs about what the truck originally cost me ; )

that could have been your post title right there... Maybe event put 'help' in front of it.

Doing it this way also helps when someones searching for it in the future. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I am in the midst of installing a clearwater head. I got it with valves only. not sure if there's a cost difference. would've gotten it complete. miscommunication i guess. anyway, the 4th intake valve is mysteriously leaking. it's back at clearwater now with my old rockers/cam/etc. I think it's just a fluke. Their head itself I think is fine, to answer your question directly. They suggested maybe a delivery accident on the valve. Also, their website does not work on my computer. I had to order by phone. I chalk up my negative experience to bad luck. They seem professional with a good product. They offer the least expensive new casting I could find. I'll update once I get the final head installed and running. If I had to do it again, I'd get a bare Marnal (I may have a local source, he used to be a dealer) and have the shop swap over the stuff. It would've cost me only about $100 more at this point, and less time. But if it goes in right the first time, clearwater is the way to go.

EDIT
I'd go new casting because I'm afraid of metal fatigue on a used head. also, no jet valve ports.(although my head cracked between the valves on each #2 and #3, not at the jet valves.)
IMHO, I'd go Marnal if the engine will be built up (turbo or whatever) and/or run very very hard /abused.

maybe more info here:
http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showthread...&PHPSESSID=

I live an hour from there! I put New casting heads on my 3.0 a couple yrs ago. Done 240k. Now has 266K-Thats running 33's all that time so probably closer to 270ish... no problems whatsoever- went to the shop to buy them.