So lets start a discussion about small block heads

[Chryco Psycho]

Who Has the best bang for the $$
 What heads are best for various power levels
 IMO the Eddy heads are just alum replacements lighter but no significant power gains & very poor quality , core shift issues etc .
 I have never used RHS heads .
 I know Indy has Small block heads , never used those .
 I have used the 308 castings to gain 40 RWHP over X heads .
 There is also the magnum heads if you are OK with the Ball Stud rockers but special intake is required .
 I have also used W series heads with awesome results but they are very expensive by the time you factor in special intake , rockers , headers & valve covers over the base cose of the heads alone . The W 8/9 heads are friggin awesome & can make 700+HP but require the R3 block with 6 bolt head mounting .
 So what lies between the basic replacement eddy head & & the all out R3/W9s
 

[Bullitt-]

These guys provide lots of #s for your consideration  http://www.shadydellspeedshop.com/cylheads.htm

[brads70]

I was impressed with the flow #'s from these guys?
Airwolf 220
http://www.j-performance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59

[Road_Runner]

I'd like to add the 302 heads to these discussions as I have a set that I may try to use if I do a mild-medium build on my 318.  Can these be cost effectively made comparable to the 308 heads?  What are their limitations on a 318? 340? 348-372 stroker?  How about the J heads if new pistons are used?  It would be very helpful to map out the best HP/RPM ranges that each of these options are best suited for.

This is a great topic as I am piecing together the parts for my engine build.

Thanks, Jim

[Cuda Cody]

I'm thinking of building a clone T/A motor with my brother and have an extra 1971 340 block that needs heads.  We just want to make a stock motor.... it will be stock cam, intake and exhaust.  What would be a good head for this clone 340 six pack motor? 

Thanks!

[Chryco Psycho]

I would pass on the X&J castings , the 302 are Ok but have a smaller combustion chamber & ports , they will make a lot of torque but will run out of air flow fast especially on a`stroker build.

[dodj]

core shift issues etc .

What are core shift issues?

[Chryco Psycho]

I pulled a brand new set of Eddy small block heads out of the box & the ports were cast more than 1/8 closer to 1/4 to one side , I talked to the Mopar salesman there & he went through 16 heads & picked out the ones that were closet to being cast properly for himself out of the batch & said most had bad core shift

[jimynick]

What are core shift issues?

Core shift refers to the sand cores used when the casting is poured and sometimes that sand core moves a wee bit. so you get inequalities in casting thickness, which can be a real pain if you're trying to port/machine them. Capice? 

[Topcat]

What are core shift issues?

Core shift is what happens what an engine block, cylinder head, manifold or other type of sand casting shifts in the mold when molten iron or aluminum is poured into the mold.  When core shift happens, it can throw factory machine tooling off, mislocating oil galleys, cooling passages, lifter bores, and even cylinder bores to where wall thickness gets dangerously thin in places.  This isn't as critical with a stock rebuild, but very important if you're going racing.

When you spot mislocated lifter bores and oil galleys, it isn't always core shift.  Sometimes it was miscalibrated tooling as well, but a rare occurance.  Most of the time, it's core shift.  Keep core shift in mind and thoroughly inspect before having expensive machine work performed.



Read more: http://blogs.mustangmonthly.com/6422437/miscellaneous/core-shift-and-how-to-spot-it/#ixzz2a1UDPA8t

[moparman82]

I was impressed with the flow #'s from these guys?
Airwolf 220
http://www.j-performance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=59

Wow brad! Thanks for the link!  I have been looking for and aluminum head for my chally's stroker build, and I didn't want Eddy's and I didn't want to give up my I take and headers to swap to W style heads.  After seeing what u posted I didn't a lol research and Mopar Muscle had some good things to say about them too!  Thanks again!

I'm thinking of building a clone T/A motor with my brother and have an extra 1971 340 block that needs heads.  We just want to make a stock motor.... it will be stock cam, intake and exhaust.  What would be a good head for this clone 340 six pack motor? 

Thanks!

I'm with CP on this one, I have J heads only 340 at the moment and they do the job just fine and look the part, but they are nothing special.

[dodj]

Thks CP, JN, TC.
Capice! 

[Chryco Psycho]

I'm thinking of building a clone T/A motor with my brother and have an extra 1971 340 block that needs heads.  We just want to make a stock motor.... it will be stock cam, intake and exhaust.  What would be a good head for this clone 340 six pack motor? 

Thanks!

I would look at the 308 casting if you want it to look stock

[Road_Runner]

I would pass on the X&J castings , the 302 are Ok but have a smaller combustion chamber & ports , they will make a lot of torque but will run out of air flow fast especially on a`stroker build.

Can you tell me exactly what years & motors came with the 308 heads?  I've looked for these, but most heads are not listed as '308' heads.  Will they always have 308 cast into them?  How about part numbers?  Sorry for all the questions, but I'd like to crawl some local junk yards for these and need to know what to look for.

Thanks, Jim

[RCCDrew]

How about the RHS iron heads?