Snyders HC Head

[Cape Codder]

I have received my HC head from Snyders. After installing it, found that it is approx. 1/8" short front and rear, also drivers side of motor. Does not fit like the original Model A head. I did call Snyders and they have sent me another although it was a regular head. My question is those of you on the fordbarn that have installed a Snyders HC head, does it fit correctly as the original head does.
Thanks for your time.
Joe Grobleski

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Joe, there is quite a bit of talk regarding this in the archives. To start with, measure the head on each side from the head stud boss to the gasket surface. Maybe the head was milled incorrectly? Compare to the new head when it arrives. Diagnosing something without being able to physically inspect puts us at a disadvantage and then all we can do is offer 'guesses' which will probably be closer to wrong than right IMHO.

[James Rogers]

I have installed probably, 20 or 30 and never had any problem.

[Cape Codder]

Brent,
I have received the HC head and installed. This is when I discovered that I had 1/8" the top of the block showing front and rear. I would definitely say that the head was milled incorrectly.
James,
I am trying to hear from anyone if they have received a improper head like mine.
Thanks for your time.
Joe Grobleski

[James Rogers]

"My question is those of you on the fordbarn that have installed a Snyders HC head, does it fit correctly as the original head does.
Thanks for your time.
Joe Grobleski"
I was just answering your question. You didn't ask about improper fit, just if others had installed heads and if they fit correctly, which I simply stated mine did.

[1931 flamingo]

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Can you post a picture?? The way I understand what your saying is that you're referring to the length of the head??
Paul in CT

[Greg Jones]

Joe-

I know what you are talking about. My snyder's head was the same front and back, a little short so that it was not flush fore and aft with the block, but not on the side like you describe. On mine, the sides are pretty much flush with the block. I torqued it down, fired it up, and have been cruisin ever since with no problem. That's my experience, fwiw...

[Cape Codder]

Apparently I'm the only one that has a HC head that does not fit properly. Actually I now have two, one HC and one standard which I just received yesterday from Snyders to replace the first.
And to James, I'm sorry if I offended you.
As always thanks for your time.
Joe Grobleski

[Brobrian]

My Snyder Hc head, which I got months ago, doesn't line up perfectly either. Especially on the exhaust port side. I can see a bit off the head gasket where the head doesn't quite cover the entire block. It does fit more completely front and rear.
However, I just got home from another nice drive in which the engine ran perfectly.

[TinCup]

On the 6 that I have installed they have all been short at the front of the block.

[Cape Codder]

Just wanted to say Thanks to all that responded to my problem.
Called Snyders today and was told to ship them both back for a refund.
Again thanks to all.
Joe Grobleski

[Purdy Swoft]

As far as I know, nobody else offers an original appearing high compression head. If it was me I would go ahead and use the HC head. It sounds like a minor defect. Others are useing the heads with the same defect with no problems.

[CarlG]

My Snyder's 5.5 head (3-years old) fits perfectly. My friend down the street has one of the same vintage that also fits perfectly.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

You know, I guess I am not understanding exactly what you guys are saying about it being "short". There were two cars in fine-point at Oshkosh that had a Snyders H/C head on them and all we did is performed a little cosmetic casting flash removal and added a casting mark above the water pump area, ...and both of these heads passed as originals. Same in years past too. Can y'all post pictures of what you are being troubled with so we can see what the issue is??

[TinCup]

Here is the head on my own car. This is taken from the front of the motor on the passenger side. Note the headgasket showing on the top. From the bottom of the block the head gasket is flush.

[Purdy Swoft]

I run higher compression 5.9 heads on some of mine for performance and driveability. Minor flaws and show car status mean nothing to me. There is a lot more to having a show car than a minor cosmetic flaw at the front of the head. Nobody ever gets full points anyway, so they tell me. Hill climbing ability is more important to me. Good used original 4.22 C.R. heads are cheap.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

You know, I guess I am not understanding exactly what you guys are saying about it being "short". There were two cars in fine-point at Oshkosh that had a Snyders H/C head on them and all we did is performed a little cosmetic casting flash removal and added a casting mark above the water pump area, ...and both of these heads passed as originals. Same in years past too. Can y'all post pictures of what you are being troubled with so we can see what the issue is??

I hate to reopen that can of worms but who was judging engine compartment? It could have an issue bad enough to drive me crazy and still pass in 3 of 5 national meets.

Several years ago I was helping to prep a car for an upcoming meet. We had the head off and wanted to install a high compression head. I called an engine shop about an hour from me and he had a couple new Brumfield heads. I went out there to see them and see if I could "dress" one to look authentic. The first thing I did was turn the heads over and laid a head gasket on top with a couple wooden dowel pins I made to slip in stud holes to locate it. Both heads had the exterior shifted to the side by 1/16" meaning they would overhang on one side and expose the gasket on the other. That was a nonstarter! Yes, the heads would certainly function fine but to me they would look like cr**! I already have a mint early after market copy of the original police head with the same problem but it remains on my shelf after almost 20 years.

If you look at the fit of any original production head they fit the perimeter of the block perfectly as well as the gasket except maybe at the radiused corners. Will the example I outlined pass judging? Probably four out of five times. Many folks don't pick up on such (obvious to me) details by simple observation and must be taught. That requires the presence of a competent judge/teacher.

And please don't tell me "but it doesn't say in the Standards the head must fit properly..."!

[TinCup]

And the reason for the poor fitting head is....

[msmaron]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

And please don't tell me "but it doesn't say in the Standards the head must fit properly..."!

OK THAT WAS CLASSIC.....Thank you!!

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

And please don't tell me "but it doesn't say in the Standards the head must fit properly..."!

Wasn't planning on it!