440source Staelth Heads finally arrived

[Musicman]

Well, my new Stealth heads finally arrived from 440Source, and I don't mind telling you, they sure are pretty. Quality looks really good... all the valves are dead level, and the bowls and seats were cleaned up at the factory so there isn't much of anything to do there either. Of course, I put the ROL gasket on the heads and checked that out. Looks good... comes right to the very edge in a couple of spots, but who cares. The diameter of the cylinder is much smaller than the diameter of the combustion chamber, so the fact that the gasket is sitting on the edge of the chamber is absolutely meaningless. At any rate... I know folks are curious, so I will do a series of post here... this one just to show off the new heads. Next will be some side-by-side shots with an old pair of 452's, and then another set of side-by-side shots with an old pair of closed chamber heads.

Enjoy 

Mike

[Musicman]

More Shots...

[Musicman]

Here are some side-by-sides with an old set of 452's... sorry about the dirt and grime 

[Musicman]

More shots...

[Musicman]

Yup, even more...

[Musicman]

Ok, now it's time for the new Stealth heads along side a set of old Mopar closed chamber heads...
That's all for today folks... I'm tired, and I need a 

[mally69]

Great pics      On my heads, the rol's gasket didn't come that close to the edge of the combustion chamber for some reason,  but yours should work just fine. I set the dial pins in the heads and put 4 heads bolts through random  holes to make sure my gaskets were lined up the way they would be when being bolted down.  Good work, you will be in for a great surprise when you stomp the pedal for the first time   Thanks for sharing the pics 

[Musicman]

On my heads, the rol's gasket didn't come that close to the edge of the combustion chamber for some reason,  but yours should work just fine.

I haven't CC'd the heads yet, but as with all castings, there is always going to be some degree of deviation +/-... As I said, the actual cylinder bore is smaller than the chamber diameter, so it doesn't amount to a hill of beans anyway.
As far as lining up the gasket on the head, I did the same thing you did, a few bolts and a couple of dowel pins. 

Thanks for the comments Mally69    I was beginning to feel that I had wasted my time taking all these comparison shots... when no one was interested.

Mike

[Mike DC]

Thanks for the comparo.


Just for reference, what did we end up with for a ballpark price on those new heads (assembled as they sit in the pics)?

[Musicman]

Price was $899 a pair, fully assembled 

[69chargerR/T]

On my heads, the rol's gasket didn't come that close to the edge of the combustion chamber for some reason,  but yours should work just fine.

I haven't CC'd the heads yet, but as with all castings, there is always going to be some degree of deviation +/-... As I said, the actual cylinder bore is smaller than the chamber diameter, so it doesn't amount to a hill of beans anyway.
As far as lining up the gasket on the head, I did the same thing you did, a few bolts and a couple of dowel pins. 

Thanks for the comments Mally69    I was beginning to feel that I had wasted my time taking all these comparison shots... when no one was interested.

Mike

Musicman, I'm interested, and I'm sure a lot of other guys are your post has 81 views I checked out your photos and find it very informative and I'm sure other guys do too I hope everyone that gets these heads keep us posted on how they are and what they think about them So please keep us posted on your install of the heads Alan

 

[Musicman]

Thanks Alan

Unfortunately, I won't be bolting them down for several weeks. I still have to pick up my rotating assembly and have the block machined before that can happen. I picked up the heads early because the price was right. You never know what the price will be tomorrow... especially in todays marketplace.

Mike

[mally69]

Nope you didn't waste your time taking pics, you did  great with your pics

[2harleyriders]

Thanks.  I will be getting mine soon.     

[RAC95054]

Thanks Alan

Unfortunately, I won't be bolting them down for several weeks. I still have to pick up my rotating assembly and have the block machined before that can happen. I picked up the heads early because the price was right. You never know what the price will be tomorrow... especially in todays marketplace.

Mike

Any update on the engine assembly?  I saw a set of the heads at Spring Fling last weekend, and they do look really sharp.  I'll probably be getting a set myself real soon.

[dadstoy66]

Congrats on getting your heads.    I also picked up a pair the price will not stay at $899 for much longer.

[gordo1968charger]

have the edelbrock heads met there match with the stealth heads?

[Doc]

Where are these heads made ? .... what is the comb chamber CC's ?

[Rolling_Thunder]

Where are these heads made ? .... what is the comb chamber CC's ?

believe they are machined in China - don't quote me on that though....      84CC chambers

[JerseyJoe]

May be a dumb question but I'm about to install mine,
   Do I need dowels to locate them properly or will the head bolts take care of that?
              Joe

[firefighter3931]

May be a dumb question but I'm about to install mine,
   Do I need dowels to locate them properly or will the head bolts take care of that?
              Joe

Nope, not a dumb question 

Use the dowls.....they are there for a reason. 



Ron

[JerseyJoe]

Nope, not a dumb question 

Use the dowls.....they are there for a reason. 



Ron

Thanks, Ron..... Now.... where the heck are the ones I had?   

[RD]

be sure to check each lock/retainer on each valve... had a friend just this weekend who is running these have a lock fail on him, throw the retainer and bend the valve.

[Musicman]

  Yes, as with any new fully assembled head (regardless of manufacture)... check everything before installing them. The 7 degree locks and keepers on the Stealths are okay for most applications, but you do want to make certain that they are installed correctly. 10 degree locks and keepers make a nice upgrade and provide greater piece of mind. I would also reccomend a good quality valve job as well, but that's up to you.

[jackel440]

  Yes, as with any new fully assembled head (regardless of manufacture)... check everything before installing them. The 7 degree locks and keepers on the Stealths are okay for most applications, but you do want to make certain that they are installed correctly. 10 degree locks and keepers make a nice upgrade and provide greater piece of mind. I would also reccomend a good quality valve job as well, but that's up to you.

awesome pics TY.
You said something about a valve job?Did you go back and rework the valves and seats on these new heads?I would love to get some of these in the future I think they would be great.

[Musicman]

Did you go back and rework the valves and seats on these new heads?I would love to get some of these in the future I think they would be great.

My entire build is at the machine shop as we speak. The block underwent the initial cleaning a few weeks back and has been waiting in line for machine work ever since. I had a 1928 Model A, and a 383 Cheby Stroker ahead of me, but my block should be sitting on the line borer by the end of the week. Yes, I am bringing the new Stealth heads up there very soon for a 1st Class valve job, and a change over to 10 degree locks & keepers. There is a flow bench in the shop, so maybe if I'm lucky I can talk him into flowing the heads real quick after he's done just for squirts and wiggles, or at least get permission to do it myself on his machine... we'll see...

As far as the heads themselves are concerned... I have said it many times in other posts... When you purchase a set of fully assembled heads ( regardless of manufacture), you are buying a set of heads and a set of generally acceptable parts to go with them. You are not paying for or receiving radical high performance components, a 3 angle valve job, or a first rate assembled package, etc... In most cases you can simply bolt them down after a quick inspection and get away with it, assuming everything looked good, but I wouldn't reccomend it. It's always better to fully disassemble them and check them out 100%. Always do a good valve job, and replace any component that you feel will not be up to the designed task. In my case, I am having a first rate valve job done, and I will be replacing the stock 7 degree locks and keepers with a 10 degree set. Not that there is anything wrong with the keepers that came with them, I'm just replacing them because it is a cheap upgrade that goes a long way toward greater piece of mind in the end. Besides... the money I saved buying these heads will cover the cost of the valve job and the upgraded components anyway.

Mike

[gordo1968charger]

with the stealth heads could you use hooker comp headers or is that not feasible?

[Runner]

with the stealth heads could you use hooker comp headers or is that not feasible?

  i dont see any reason why not, the plugs are straight like stock heads.     im running hooker comp headers with e heads and they work great, you just have to be creative with your plug wire boots on a couple plugs and lightly ding 1 tube.  ive also been told that you cant run headman headers with the angled plugs, yet ive done it with out issue, no dings and no plug wire issues.

[Doc]

Hey Guys .... so what is the at-the-track or on-the-street REPORT CARD on these heads ? ..... and most of 440S stuff comes from China ...correct ?

[Musicman]

Hey Guys .... so what is the at-the-track or on-the-street REPORT CARD on these heads ? ..... and most of 440S stuff comes from China ...correct ?

Reading through the thread will provide you with 99% of what you need to know about these heads. The only topic not mentioned here was a recent issue with retainer clearances when using stock rocker assemblies... It's just one of those things you have to look at when your inspecting the heads (assuming you bought them with the assembled components).

The heads themselves are at the entry level of aftermarket performance heads, better than stock, but not quite as good as Eddy's out of the box. They do have good potential however, and are great for the guy on a tight budget who would like something a little better, but doesn't want to break the bank. As stated previously in the thread above... if your buying assembled heads (regardless of manufacture) it is important to remember that you are only buying a set of components (cheaper than if purchased separately). You are not paying for the proper machine work that goes into "correctly" fitting these components to the heads however.

440 stuff is a mix of USA made and overseas products. In most cases they tell you where each piece comes from right on their web site... if not, a phone call would answer that question.

[Doc]

Mm ...were are those "tests" ?

[firefighter3931]

Mm ...were are those "tests" ?

Right under your nose in the proven engine combo's forum   


Look at Mike's 505 : http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,43911.0.html



Ron