Mopar Performance Al. heads?

[Crazy440]

Anyone using MP Al. heads?  Just trying to get some feedback on them.  I know Edelbrock makes them and I like the idea of straight plugs.
Also, Edelbrock offers 75, 84 and 88 cc chambers where MP only offers 84 cc.  Would someone explain, why I would choose one over the others.
Thanks.

[BSB67]

I have the MP and they are fine.  

If you don't need the straight plug, I would go with the 75 cc chamber if you can get it to workout with pistons choices and your desired compression ratio.  The 75cc is simply a better designed combustion chamber.

If you have a std. stroke 440 the readily available 12 - 13 cc dish pistons will work nicely.

[Crazy440]

Here's the situation.  I've been asked, by a neighbor, who is build a 39 Dodge coupe. Car has been in her family since it was new. She has already rebuilt the engine.  I took the block .030 over for her. She's done the rest. It has flat top pistons (9-1), has an internally balanced steel crank. H-beam rods.  Only thing different, is it has little  a hotter cam, than stock.( hydraulic flat tappet).   Here's the specs.
                                                                        Intake                   Exhaust

Valve timing:   0.006      duration:                           274                       286

Lobe Separation:  110     duration @ .050 lift             230                       236

Intake Centerline: 106        Valve lift                       0.488                     0.491   
                                         
                                       lobe lift                        0.325                     0.327
                                     
Are the MP Al heads going to be bolt-on or will we have to do other prep for it? I've never messed with Al heads.  I know she has Johnson lifters and some Al. roller rockers.  By the way, she's 17 yo.  She's trying to talk me into selling her one of my 833s.
Thanks for your in put.

[Challenger340]

NO SUCH THING AS A 9:1 FLAT TOP PISTON !
My apologies for shouting.... it's just I've been there, and seen this so many times before it was that... or it was start with "here we go again" ?


STOP right now before you do anything else, and get an actual Compression Distance measurement from your Flat Top Pistons.... or a PART #.... ANYTHING, but do something to verify the ACTUAL Downfill Volume on your Pistons to use in calculating an a real compression ratio to be expected.
I can not count the times I've heard people nonchalantly say "9:1 Flat Top Piston"... because that's what they were "Sold", "Told".... or otherwise assumed because the "BOOK said so".... who have moved forward based on that incorrect assumption.... only to build a complete Terd !

Don't let ANOTHER Dawg Engine get built , this happens all the time !
see here;
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,118292.0.html

Your original question did indeed ask "why you would choose one Head over the others" ?
The single biggest reason is because you are already making the biggest, most common mistake people make when building 440 engines.... that being "assuming" you have a 9:1 Piston(when 90% of the time no such thing exists).... no matter what your 'builder".... "machinist"... "Book"... or any other dimwit has told you.
Head chamber volume selection at this point is also especially critical, in conjunction with the ACTUAL Piston downfill volume(Don't assume 9:1), because you are also looking at Camshafts ?
IMO,
you would be also well advised to read up on DYNAMIC COMPRESSION Ratio, and it's affects on your still "pie in the sky" 9.0 static Compression Ratio(until Piston Dwnfl is verified).... BEFORE you look at ANY CAMSHAFT !

Sorry for the rant,
please believe me when I say "I have your best interest at heart".
There is absolutely no mileage in this for me ? I am an Engine Builder with far better things to do than sit here typing this.

[Crazy440]

Sir, I thank you for your reply. And, I appreciate your passion on this.  From your response, I know you are quit knowledgeable, on your chosen profession.
A little side note.  I have been building Chrysler engines for 57 year. Never had one under perform. I learned how to cut my own sticks from Ed Iskederian, at his shop, when I lived in California.  Admit, I never earned a $ at this.  I learned everything you wrote about, many years ago.  The 9-1 was her quote.  And I have since, told her that I would go over and take the proper measurements. 

Now, back to the question at hand.  As I mentioned.  I have not worked with Al. heads.  Are the MP Al. heads going to be a bolt on?

"Sorry for the rant,
please believe me when I say "I have your best interest at heart".
There is absolutely no mileage in this for me ? I am an Engine Builder with far better things to do than sit here typing this."

Thank you for you time and response.

[BSB67]

Sir, I thank you for your reply. And, I appreciate your passion on this.  From your response, I know you are quit knowledgeable, on your chosen profession.
A little side note.  I have been building Chrysler engines for 57 year. Never had one under perform. I learned how to cut my own sticks from Ed Iskederian, at his shop, when I lived in California.  Admit, I never earned a $ at this.  I learned everything you wrote about, many years ago.  The 9-1 was her quote.  And I have since, told her that I would go over and take the proper measurements. 

Now, back to the question at hand.  As I mentioned.  I have not worked with Al. heads.  Are the MP Al. heads going to be a bolt on?

"Sorry for the rant,
please believe me when I say "I have your best interest at heart".
There is absolutely no mileage in this for me ? I am an Engine Builder with far better things to do than sit here typing this."

Thank you for you time and response.

Do we know the cu.in of the engine?

Everyone's definition of bolt on is different.  I would call it yes.  But some suggest that you have a professional go through them.  But many don't, and I have not heard of a failure because of it.

Also, the pushrods are close to the intake runner casting, but generally, a 5/16" PR and 1.5 rocker ratio will clear w/o modification.  Again, your results might be different.

[heyoldguy]

Sir, I thank you for your reply. And, I appreciate your passion on this.  From your response, I know you are quit knowledgeable, on your chosen profession.
A little side note.  I have been building Chrysler engines for 57 year. Never had one under perform. I learned how to cut my own sticks from Ed Iskederian, at his shop, when I lived in California.  Admit, I never earned a $ at this.  I learned everything you wrote about, many years ago.  The 9-1 was her quote.  And I have since, told her that I would go over and take the proper measurements. 

Now, back to the question at hand.  As I mentioned.  I have not worked with Al. heads.  Are the MP Al. heads going to be a bolt on?

"Sorry for the rant,
please believe me when I say "I have your best interest at heart".
There is absolutely no mileage in this for me ? I am an Engine Builder with far better things to do than sit here typing this."

Thank you for you time and response.

They were designed to be a bolt on. I won't bolt on a cylinder head OOTB. 57 years? Then you know to dis-assemble them and inspect them.

[Crazy440]

heyoldguy,

57 years? Then you know to dis-assemble them and inspect them.

Yeps.  Be porting and polishing them at that time.

End of post for me.
Thanks to all for the replies.