FH high dome heads NA

[3W Hank]

I has a question.
Few might not get my ideas ( if you read my posts ) on not ’need’ HP but still stubborn try to find some in a combonation and not go max cubic or to a blower.
But most will not understand why not use a Chevy SB and a 5 speed.
I’m no fan of Cadillac, early Hemi etc either, so in this case it’s a NA FH.
This is the 40’s style.
Before I thought Ardun was the way to go with a blower, but I just love the FH heads in steel or Navarro, Harrells or Edmunds but I brake a leg for set ORD’s.

I will get a search on a Edmunds set as I like that idea he used.
Feel Very classic to me.

-But over to topics.
I has not a problem get me high class rods ( I has sources ) and CP pistons, but I will use a Merc crank as I will nog install China steel in my 3W ol’ Henry Hot-Rod.
I will use my experiance from stock eliminator racing.
-Worth the gain, maybe not.

As I mentioned I asked H&H on the high dome heads they sell.
Even if they get 30% extra flow it might be 5% better out in exhaust (?)

Now the question.
Why is a high dome better ?
Say the same CC ( 65 )
As I been told this engines had not much gain in what so ever design in heads, but ’maybe’ sparkplug locations might help, but Navarro did not move the sparkplug in his high dome heads.
-Did he not see what Edmunds did way back then ?
Or was it no gain maybe.

This heads is told get HP, but it was said ; no one had afford to do it, test it, dyno so Barney had no info on it.

So is there any idea why high dome might be better.
I do note it’s a step for the valves in head, so a cam with less lift on exhaust is needed.

My guess most just use a blower instead and forgett about this, but I think it sounds intresting.





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[Ol' Ron]

Edmonds moved the plug to clear the valve, But did not put the plug in the transfer area as JWL did. Also Mike Davidson did it in h is heads. I can't see how anyone can make a 30% gain. What were they comparing it too??" For one thing I was always tough to never make a change or modification with out a reason!! Why move the plug???? There has to be a reason!
Gramps.

[3W Hank]

Ron,
How did JWL made it ?
Edmunds might had the idea as you said for a more open plug and not direkt over the valve ( as most use, se ex Navarro etc etc.

On ’flow’, se this ;

https://handhflatheads.com/product/n...gh-dome-heads/

DESCRIPTION

The high dome heads are a special high performance head only available at H&H. The design, along with the pad over the exhaust valve allows for good compression along with excellent breathing characteristics. These features along with larger valves, radiusing the combustion chamber walls behind the intake valves and filling portion of the valve bowl, produces over 30% more air flow and a similar result in horse power. A 2 pattern cam should be used with these heads. These heads have an area above the piston shaped the same as the early Chrysler hemi pistons. A ball or sphere reduces the surface area to the smallest unit of volume.

[3W Hank]

This mods was done for racing Harleys but they has better exhaust.
I wonder what valve size and cam Navarro thought to be used ?

[Ol' Ron]

Never saw this combustion chamber before. Looks similar to the Grancor Racing heads, However they did move the plug. JWLs book has allot of pics for the plug re location.
Gramps. Wonder if the head needs a special piston for thr hi dome??

[Tim Ayers]

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Originally, Arias was the only one making pistons for these heads. Back in the 90's when Mr. Navarro introduced them, each piston cost $100 not including rings. At the time, I could not afford that.

Now, I believe Ross is also making the piston for these heads and the price is a little less than $800 with rings.

When I bought my heads from Barney at that time, we talked about these heads. I believe he suggested speaking with Elgin to get a custom ground cam for this set up.

Joey Conforth runs these heads on his Model A Sedan race car. His engine is full race and it shows. Car runs strong and sounds bad ass.

[3W Hank]

Tim,
It sounds wonderful in my ears.
Today many do custom pistons and cost of Total Seal rings is lower than it was.
Any more info on Joey's A-Ford ?
I wonder why H&H said - you dont want to do this.
They advertise the head.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

Tim,
It sounds wonderful in my ears.
Today many do custom pistons and cost of Total Seal rings is lower than it was.
Any more info on Joey's A-Ford ?
I wonder why H&H said - you dont want to do this.
They advertise the head.

Not sure why H&H told you not to run these. For a point of reference, I bought Total Seal rings last year and they cost $279.

Here is a link to the Hop Up feature on it.

https://www.hopupmagazine.com/blog/2...forth-29-sedan

[3W Hank]

Tim,

Wonder how much HP that made and bore/stroke and can you see what intake it is.
Is he a member here ?

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

Tim,

Wonder how much HP that made and bore/stroke and can you see what intake it is.
Is he a member here ?

Evans 4X2. I believe it made around 180-200 hp

[tubman]

I'd hate to be driving it if it ever lost a U-joint!

[Tim Ayers]

Tubman,

It's hard to tell by the picts, but Joe's rig still uses the torque tube. If a U-joint bust through that, then nothing will save you. LOL!

[3W Hank]

Well we can all run a KIA and and let AI guide it and be safe..
Would love hear that sounds of that FH !
Shore would like more of the combo.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by 3W Hank

Well we can all run a KIA and and let AI guide it and be safe..
Would love hear that sounds of that FH !
Shore would like more of the combo.

Do some searches. There are videos of it running.

[Bored&Stroked]

If you want to know a lot more about the development of the Navarro High-Dome heads, here is a letter from Barney himself - circa 2002:

Navarro High-Dome Heads - DHays2022.pdf

[3W Hank]

I did search of name but nothing came up.
Now I will read thoughts from Barney !
Thanks.

[3W Hank]

Barney used a dome whit a radius 3.305”, I will check dome height and CC, but it was from early Hemis.
Theoretical flow went 30% better but this is a engine and not a vacum cleaner plus exhaust is terrible.
The adventages should be the step at the exhsust and gain the CR and a spherical radius would get heat better.
But it was never on dyno and could never be as a Harley.
Today my guess few cares, as HP not make sence and this engines has a good street combo and now with more bore/stroke and kits at 2K even less cares.
People that go after friction is even more rare.
So today, if one like, its not ’that’ expensive ( ok say with a Scat kit, custom pistons and this heads one do not be a fortune son to test it.
Today simple AfR is cheap.

Ideas ?

[Bored&Stroked]

It's only a matter of having enough money, parts, expertise and time . . . then some "High-Dome" answers could be found . . .

[Tim Ayers]

3W Hank, I'm trying to follow you here, but in no way shape or form is building a flathead going to cheap. It's just to what level of expensive are you comfortable with.

[3W Hank]

Tim,
It’s not about economy vs high domes.
Trying to see if there is tested and how it’s working.
Some news came up as Barnys letter, Joey’s A-Ford etc.
If more on subject I shore like see it.