I called around bunch of head rebuilders but nobody had a head in stock for my 97 2.3l. The local auto parts store has a power torque head that they can get me tomorrow. But just as rock auto this place list two different heads. To me it looks like the only difference is a 6mm vs 8mm thermostat housing bolts. I found my casting number on the engine block and it corresponds with the 6mm housing (# F57E-DC). However my thermostat housing bolts are 8mm checked them with digital calipers and a die. The head casting numbers are the same. So is there any difference other than the bolt sizes and I can go ahead and order the 8mm housing head that doesn't correspond with my engine block numbers? Hopefully that makes sense when you read it.
Thanks for any help.

 

The 1995-1997 2.3l heads came with BOTH 6mm or 8mm thermostat bolts, no real rhyme or reason to it

You can read here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FORD-2-...QAAOSwiCRUfmSY