High Compression Head Review

[Ranchero50]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

While I agree that a camshaft change along with an increase in compression and increased air-flow all compliments each other, however because most Model-A camshafts are worn, my experiences have been that a cam change wakes up performance more than a higher compression head does if you can only change one thing.

I was kind of surprised that while swapping the head I checked the valve travel on mine and most were @ .030" less than original from wear and lash. The seats and valves looked decent. The pistons were wobbling in the bore though.

[Tom Foster]

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

My head hurts!!!

(Insert smileys here!)

[old ugly]

i am glad to see that you went with the OD transmission when your objective was to travel at a faster speed with lower rpms.

changing the cylinder head will give you more horse power but it will not change your engines rpm at a given higher speed.

rear end ratio, tire height, transmission output ratio, and an overdrive unit are the sort of things that give you a faster speed at a lower rpm.

the cylinder head will help you get to that speed easier and to maintain that speed easier on hills.

so don't let someone tell you that you can travel faster continuously just by changing an engine component. the engine will still be running at higher rpms and you better make sure the Babbitt is good.
my 2 cents