W2 heads

[Highbanked Hauler]

 I have watched a few different sets of  W2 heads on ebay and was wondering  if the increase in power is worth the extra cost.  Is anyone using them? Also do they take a stock valve train? Thanks

[471_Magnum]

They do not take stock anything. Special rockers, intake and headers.

Much more economical options out there for making street power, which are rapidly making W2s obsolete for anything other than max effort race. RHS heads come to mine, which are good for 500 hp or better at fraction of the cost, and they are pretty much interchangeable with all stock components.

[Budnicks]

They do not take stock anything. Special rockers, intake and headers.

Much more economical options out there for making street power, which are rapidly making W2s obsolete for anything other than max effort race. RHS heads come to mine, which are good for 500 hp or better at fraction of the cost, and they are pretty much interchangeable with all stock components.

Yep I agree 100% they were really good for their day, but better stuff out there now, Edelbrocks are a decent choice also depend on what your trying to do... Magnum style heads flow better than most any LA style heads (I know people will disagree but it's absolutely true) but you also need to use specific components with them, they oil thru the push rods instead of the shafts & use individual (SB chevy, 3/8"-7/16" studs & lots to choose from) style rockers or dual mounted rockers depending on style & brand of heads good luck with your cylinder head decision... I say do some extensive research before you choose, it's an investment either way...

[Highbanked Hauler]

 I don't really have a set plan right now and since I am not quarter mileing I am looking at  a good performing street motor. I also understand it is a whole " package" not just one individual part.  I have a good running rebuilt at sometime 74  360 that runs on regular so there is room to add to compression air flow and fuel. This thing idles at 45 lb. oil pressure and goes to 65 instantly when you touch the gas.  In ASSUMING the  bottom end is in good shape  I was figuring cam, heads, intake, headers and carb.  If you have ideas I am interested as I am a body man not an engine person and I want to do this once. thanks.

[471_Magnum]

Two questions you need to ask:
1. How fast do I want/need to go?
2. How much do I want to spend?

Without know your goals, or what you're putting it in, it hard to give a recommendation.

On the budget friendly side, if you're planning to stick with the 360 short block, W2s are definitely not the way to go. I'd recommend either a Magnum head conversion, or a basic set of RHS/IndyX heads, RPM air gap, headers, and a cam selection optimized for your low compression. Back it up with a 2800 stall converter and go shred some tires.

[Chryco Psycho]

the latest W2 casting is awesome you can make over 500 hp with a 360 using a 2 bbl carb .
the cost is insane though , special headers, intake , rockers , even valve covers . nothing wrong with the parts as long as you can stomach the cost .
My favorite production head is the 308 casting with swirl port but still retaining the stronger shaft rocker system , the Magnum heads do flow well also .
RHS looks like a good option also . not a fan of Eddy quality , the set I looked at had 1/4 " core shift as cast

[Highbanked Hauler]

 I didn't realize you could you could use magnum heads on an  "A" engine or that they were that good.  That being said is there much difference between a 360 and a 383 as I noticed they are reasonably priced for the most part. I am looking to build a cruiser that  can run 2:76 gears and run 75 mph all day. As far as a price I don't have anything cut in stone. It balances between buying a motor to using what I have.

[471_Magnum]

Only real drawback on a Magnum conversion is the rocker gear needs to be changed, including custom length push rods. Need to use a Magnum style intake as well and you're pretty much limited to a Performer RPM.

For under $1000 you can get a new set of the RHS's and retain your stock rocker gear and all the LA intake choices.  I've been itching to try a set myself.

[Budnicks]

the latest W2 casting is awesome you can make over 500 hp with a 360 using a 2 bbl carb .
the cost is insane though , special headers, intake , rockers , even valve covers . nothing wrong with the parts as long as you can stomach the cost .
My favorite production head is the 308 casting with swirl port but still retaining the stronger shaft rocker system , the Magnum heads do flow well also .
RHS looks like a good option also . not a fan of Eddy quality , the set I looked at had 1/4 " core shift as cast

You must have seen the 1 bad set made...LOL... If if was a bad part which all companies put out every once in a while something slips thru the crack & is sent out, they would make it good in my experiences anyway... I personally have not had any bad components from Eddy yet (Knock on wood)... I have used several sets on BB's & a set on a Magnum SB, I've had no issues with any & have modified a couple of sets for racing, also with great success, I would say they aren't the best maybe, but middle of the road in price & towards the top 2 or 3 in quality, but I've never had a quality issue at all on 6 different sets on my personal builds, Performer RPM, Victors & Magnums... I've also used Indy Cylinder head Products, a great head if you have the money & it's the proper head for you combo, they have had issues also, many of them are also for use with specific valve train components & many are for larger cubic inch displacements... I have had Brodix, Indy, Eddy, Stealth & Pro Comp heads in many different builds over the years & find the Eddys to be of top quality in comparison to most all of the brands, as long as you get the proper head for your combo any brand can be good, well most of them anyway... Just my experiences..   Happy Moparing...

[Highbanked Hauler]

Can the heads and block be planed to raise the compression a small amount??

[471_Magnum]

Can the heads and block be planed to raise the compression a small amount??

360's have dished pistons. Furthermore, decking requires tearing the motor down completely, so you'd pretty much piss away the economy of reusing that short block.

Milling heads could raise the CR a bit. How much would depend on which heads.

Really though, raising CR isn't the most cost effective way to make horsepower. If you're building a new motor, you optimize it, but otherwise you're probably bucks ahead just working what you've got by selecting an appropriate cam. An 8.0:1 can make a plenty of power and torque with the right cam, AND run on cheap gas.

[Highbanked Hauler]

 The cam in the 440 in my 500 is a (484) lift?? I think it is would you use something on that idea?

[Chryco Psycho]

Maybe they just send the junk to Canaduh , I have bought a lot of Eddy stuff with problems & the warranty is generally "I am sorry we cannot help you "
I have bought new carbs missing fuel bowl walls , there manifolds always need matching & often are too far off on one or two sides so you would have to weld metal back in !! The Valleytray they make doesn't fit the victor heads they sell , maybe I just have bad luck ... Oh wait you that would be correct , I do !!

[Challenger340]

the latest W2 casting is awesome you can make over 500 hp with a 360 using a 2 bbl carb .
the cost is insane though , special headers, intake , rockers , even valve covers . nothing wrong with the parts as long as you can stomach the cost .
My favorite production head is the 308 casting with swirl port but still retaining the stronger shaft rocker system , the Magnum heads do flow well also .
RHS looks like a good option also . not a fan of Eddy quality , the set I looked at had 1/4 " core shift as cast

You must have seen the 1 bad set made...LOL... If if was a bad part which all companies put out every once in a while something slips thru the crack & is sent out, they would make it good in my experiences anyway... I personally have not had any bad components from Eddy yet (Knock on wood)... I have used several sets on BB's & a set on a Magnum SB, I've had no issues with any & have modified a couple of sets for racing, also with great success, I would say they aren't the best maybe, but middle of the road in price & towards the top 2 or 3 in quality, but I've never had a quality issue at all on 6 different sets on my personal builds, Performer RPM, Victors & Magnums... I've also used Indy Cylinder head Products, a great head if you have the money & it's the proper head for you combo, they have had issues also, many of them are also for use with specific valve train components & many are for larger cubic inch displacements... I have had Brodix, Indy, Eddy, Stealth & Pro Comp heads in many different builds over the years & find the Eddys to be of top quality in comparison to most all of the brands, as long as you get the proper head for your combo any brand can be good, well most of them anyway... Just my experiences..   Happy Moparing...

Well said !

I'm in Canaduh, and I have never had a problem with Edelbrock parts for quality, or power production.
I've use literally dozens of sets of their Heads and Manifolds, and ported all of them as per the application and they worked GREAT !
I guess maybe I'm just lucky ?

[Budnicks]

Maybe they just send the junk to Canaduh , I have bought a lot of Eddy stuff with problems & the warranty is generally "I am sorry we cannot help you "
I have bought new carbs missing fuel bowl walls , there manifolds always need matching & often are too far off on one or two sides so you would have to weld metal back in !! The Valleytray they make doesn't fit the victor heads they sell , maybe I just have bad luck ... Oh wait you that would be correct , I do !!

I don't really care for their carburetor's at all my self, I know people that sware by them tough, They are just too much of a pain to get tuned properly... I have had great success with their aluminum heads, intakes & a few other parts on Mopars & other brand X stuff also... Your not the 1st I've heard to complain about them, I just haven't ever seen any major issues "YET" & I know many others that have had the same type of experiences as me...