Heads, what can I do to improve performance?

[porkchop]

I am going to be taking my heads from my old engine to have them redone and I am wondering what improvements, if any, can I get done to them. If I drop them off they can have them back to me in three days. They take them apart clean them and put them back together with stock parts for $163 for the set. I can also take them to gsmikie and have him help me do them so I can learn to do it myself. But I will still need to get them cleaned and that will cost me $30 for the pair. Are these good prices?

[Bob Barry]

You could have them do a multi-angle valve job, and you might find some casting flash worth cleaning up in either the ports or the water-passages. But really, the runners on our 360's are huge enough for what we use them for, so there's no need to go crazy. $163 for a valve job isn't a bad price, especially if they'll surface the heads in case they aren't perfectly flat. It's really a matter of what kind of time you have and how much you trust this shop. It's really nice to pick something up already done if time is at a premium for you.

[J20 project]

PC, What all are they going to do for the $163? If that includes grinding the valves and new seats, it's a pretty good deal. The guy who did mine charges $225 for the same thing basically. Here's the trap tho, When I got into mine just about all of the valves had the chrome worn off of the stems, hence the new guides would have been better but they would not have fit the stems like new. I bought all new valves at 5-6 bucks each. I also ended up buying all new rockers, girdles, etc. As far as performance upgrading, I think the best thing you can do is port and polish the exhaust sides and leave the intake sides alone. I didn't do this tho as I didn't want to take the time to do it. Oh, that also should include a clean up mill cut across the head also. J20

[ironroad29]

a good three angle valve job will yeild tremendous improvments thats is one of the best things you can do

[67Gladiator]

Can anyone give an easy explanation of multi angle valve job? I have a valve-job in my future, too, and it would help if I knew some the finer points

[Andrew]

Porkchop, if they surface the heads find out how much they take off and SHORTEN your push rods by the same amount. This will help not to lose any power and not smack pistons with valves. Also if they are going to be grinding down your seats (not installing new ones) you might want to have them match the stem height because the valve will now recess into the head more.

[Manhattan]

Have you looked into a set of 304 heads? I had a guy build an engine for my CJ a few years ago and he used 304 heads. He builds only 360s. He only uses 304 heads. I don't know what exactly it does - compression? But that motor was insane. Those (the local speed shop) who knew his motors and knew the parts on/in my motor estimated the horsepower at 350-375hp.