I need to make a decision on what to do about my cylinder heads. Currently I am running 906 heads that I ported using the mopar templates. The problem is I didn't have hardened seats installed and the valves seats are receding causing the stems to show different heights. Originally I wanted to replace the heads with Eddy E-Street heads or maybe even the new Trick Flow heads but it turns out both options are out of my budget, the Eddy's mostly because of the required valve train components. So I started looking for a shop I could trust to replace the seats when I happened across a photo in TekHousE's thread (
http://www.dodgecoronet.com/forum/showth...-383-4-BBL ) showing his new heads being flow tested at a shop only an hour and a half away from me. When you live in the Allegheny National Forest, that's close.:p TekHousE ie Zoran got me in touch with Toth Performance and I had a nice talk With Bruce Toth, who doesn't have a huge presence on the web but what he does have is very positive. Bruce gave me several options which boiled down to three. First, He can fix my 906 heads at a price way lower than I expected. Second, I can get a set of 452 heads which Bruce says can be made to flow better and have factory hardened seats. Or third get a set of CPPA heads like Zoran's (
http://chryslerpower.com/webstore/Exhaus...inum-Heads ) I kinda had my heart set on a set of aluminum heads but there is very little information out there on these heads and although Bruce was not trying push me in that direction, he does seem to stand behind them. Another issue that cropped up is MarkZ's reply to Zoran about using head studs which go for around $200. So my friends, what do you think? CPPA's, oooo shiney, I want em! 452's, get out the grinder again and save some dough! Or 906's. problem solved but I can't fit my wallet in my pants!
Oh yeah, 383, .030 over speedpro flat tops and comp cams XE268h cam. 727 with TCI 141200 2400 stall converter
First off, while Edelbrock says you need adjustable valvetrain on their heads, it's not true.I called Edelbrock about this a few years ago and was told the reason they state adjustable valvetrain is required is from a support and PR standpoint on their part. The springs that come with the Edelbrock heads are VERY stout, they have to handle a .600 lift cam as they advertise. To give you an idea, your cam calls for springs that have 122lbs pressure when the valve is closed. Edelbrock springs come 140lbs when the valve is closed. So if someone puts a set of worn out rocker arms on their heads, there is a good chance of punching the pushrod thru the rocker, or actually breaking the rocker. So now a customer calls up Edelbrock all pissed off, and goes on forums bad mouthing them. it's easier for them to say "You need xxx" rather than attempt to explain why someone's motor started breaking valvetrain parts. Another thing to watch out for is due to the angle plug design, not all headers fit, and not all headers fit with power steering. If you have headers, you may have to swap to another brand like TTi or go to manifolds. Also, some distributors won't clear either.
Now for the cast iron option. I'd stick with the 906's you have and just have the hardened seats put in them. First being cost. Yea, it's a little pricier to have hardened seats installed, but you know they are good (no cracks or surprises), and they work with your combination. 452's are always a choice, but you need to be careful. Some of the heads later in the production run of the 440 suffer from serious core shift. I'm not talking 1CC variation between chambers, but upwards of 7CC per chamber. I have a set under my bench that were ported, new guides, seats, valves, cut for larger springs, the whole enchilada. They are expensive door stops now because the machine shop did not realize how bad the core shift was (it's actually visible) until after all the work was done.
I don't know much about the CPPA/Garlits heads, just that they appear to be a clone of the Eddy head. So they may suffer from the same fitment issues as the Eddy's have.
Thanks Mike. Bruce didn't think there would be a header fitment issue, but then again he may only be using one type. He was more concerned with protecting the wires from heat. That is something I will do more research on. Thanks for the other info too.
What headers do you currently have now Mark?