Hi, Im not sure where to post my question, but we just brought an 1998 el falcon with a blown head gasket. When we took the head off we notice it was all corroded and unable to be shaved successfully and so pulled the head of another el motor that we had here. However after bolting it all up, we realised that the the new head we put on was off an 97 el falcon and things werent fitting together properly eg. timing. Anyway I didnt know anything about hybrid motors but after googling it, found out that you cant use an 97 el head on a 98 el motor. Now I am not sure what to do and the car is just sitting in the yard unusable. Can someone please confirm for me whether it is possible to still use the 97 model head and just change over some pieces off the old head or something or will we have to pull the head back off. We didnt want to take the head back off if at all possible as it may wreak the new gasket and bolts and we dont have a au head to use anyway? Please help!!

You can use any head from a EB onwards up till AU.

You must, however use the correct timing gear (lifters an cam) to suit that head.

ie:
hybrid head rockers and cam = ok
EF Head, rockers and Cam = ok
Hybrid head rockers and ef cam = mechanical intercourse.


Pretty sure you can use the hybrid cam and rockers on a ef head tho... someone correct me there.

^^ pretty sure you can use them all the way back to EA if you really wanted to lol, as long as the cam and rocker gear match

can you provide more info about what isn't lining up and at what point in the process you are up to?
you could just have the cam gear a tooth or two out.

just use the rocker gear, cam and cam gear that you pulled off the car originally (the 98 EL) on the head that you have bolted down.

Hi, thankyou heaps for your help but the two replies seem to conflict and Im still not sure what parts to use.

We have fitted a 97 el head to the 98 hybrid bottom end.

1. Do we use the 97 cam and rockers and timing sprocket
or
2. Use the 98 cam and rockers and timing sprocket?

Bearing in mind the 98 hybrid bottom end has different timing marks ie. two yellow painted timing chain links -verses- a line on the 97 timing gear that aligns with the top edge of the head.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

use the hybrid rocker gear, cam, rockers ect

Alright, cheers lil_lincoln, we will give that a go.

Speaking from experience...

Hybrid head HAS TO go with Hybrid Cam and Rocker assembly.

The ratios are different on the valves and they'll never open correctly. The right cam has to go with the right assembly as well as lobes are in different places and bad things will happen.

this

the hybrid is a e series bottom with an AU head and cam, this cam is different to e series u cannot put an AU cam into a e series head it will f**k up!

u cannot use the hybrid cam in an e series head

best bet is get an e series head like u have and use the the cam,cam gear rockers etc from that head and u should be fine

the rocker ratio only effects the profile of the cam, not the valves...

errr no.

I had...

EF Tickford head.
Hybrid Cam
Hybrid Rocker

Engine had no compression... Ratio IS different.

I got a EF Cam and Rocker and car started first wind. AU Cam and Rocker it would wind over until the cows come home. The valves are longer on the Hybrid.