Shaved heads for modern gas?

[Laughac]

Is it common for people to shave the head to accommodate modern gasoline?
I would not want to upgrade the crank or anything else, but this seems like the easiest way to raise compression a bit

[40 Deluxe]

Doubt you could mill it enough to make a noticeable difference. Best to just buy an aftermarket high compression head.

[redmodelt]

While a stock T is not a speed machine, they run just fine without shaved head on modern gas. So, no it is not common to do so. If you want to get more top end speed and power, one of the high compression heads and good cam shaft are what you could use. But with the increase in speed come the need for better brakes.

[Royce P]

People have milled Model T high heads as much as 1/4" to raise compression. It is a lot of work, and generally is just as expensive as buying an aluminum head that is ready to bolt on.

If you have your own milling equipment then maybe the cost is not an issue. Otherwise just spend the $300 for a good aluminum Z head for best results.

[A bones]

Go for it, just don't get involved with a machinist, who runs an 'emporium' and wants your rent money. Find the guy who knows what's up.


The trick is to ask for the head to be planed straight and 'take off a little extra if you can'. The result will be pleasing. I spent $40 and can climb more hills in high now.


As far as modern gas it matters not. Having the head milled will indeed improve pulling power on hills. (Hot cams are for higher speed, Tour cams will give more low end, BUUUT you asked for easy).

Good luck. ask around you may not get a yes right away.

[Dodge]

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Find a machine shop with a rotary broach. Mine will take a .050 cut in one pass. I take
.125 off the head and you can really tell the difference, more so with an early low head.
Leave the stock camshaft, it helps build cylinder pressure.
Compression is your friend.

[nhusa]

I think the question is about modern gas because he thinks it requires higher compression.

The T will run on any modern gas without a problem.
Higher compression will increase the power a bit but you are taking a chance that something else break.

[A bones]

If the Babbitt is right, and the oil is kept flowing (no dirt, and use an accessory front oiler line). No harm will come from a little more oomph.

I found no flow from the central line over the cam when I removed the plugs, timing cover + cam gear, and spun it with12 volts. Bought a long enough piece of 1/4" thread stock, cut the end with bolt cutter for an edge. Chucked it in electric drill shoved it through the motor and found a barrier of cooked band sludge. After a time of spinning the rod and pushing it deeper I felt the wall give way. Now oil flows nice.