High compression heads

[tudoor]

How much performance increase do people see after installing one of these new heads. Are they really worth the cost? Thanks

[Bob-A]

Do a "search" of the Model-A forum and you will find a lot of info on this subject. Everybody says it does, so I have a 5.5 Snyder head stashed
for when the appropriate time comes.

Bob-A

[James Rogers]

The high compression head is the best money you can spend and the least invasive to install you can do for the stock Model A. The other 2 things that do the most are oversize valves on the intakes and a Stipe IB330 cam although, these require some engine work where the head only requires a head gasket.

[newshirt]

In mountainous areas, they may be a necessity. At 7,600' elevation, I found myself gearing down on every hill. But after installing a Snyder 5.5, I can clear every hill in my area in high gear. Even so, I still prefer to drive 35 - 40 mph. I'm in no hurry.

[James Rogers]

Newshirt is right. The HC head won't give you any more speed but it will give more torque. This means the motor will pull the car up most hills without a gear change. It will also leave the line better to pull through lights and out from stop signs better.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

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As an illustration, we have a long hill in the area that I could climb over the top in second at 35mph, with the 5.5 head I can go over at just over 40 in high gear.

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by fordgarage

James,
What is your thoughts on Bill's IB340 Cam?
The IB330 is just a regular B cam re-profiled for the smaller foot lifters available today.

I would put a IB340 cam on a car if using the HC Head.
Just MHO. What's yours?

Bill Stipe Model A and B Camshaft Specifications on Ford Garage

The same as yours but, I think having the oversize intakes makes it all come together so, all 3 make a great motor.

[Bruce Adams]

I have a two year old, 6000 miles, High Compression Head Engine from ANTIQUE ENGINES in Skokie, IL, that has inserts, "Touring Cam," Bigger ports and hardened valves, balanced crankshaft and lightened flywheel and I find myself easily tooling along at 65mph on highways.
It hits 60 right away and easily finds 65mph soon.

I don't know the value of the HC head versus the other "Standard Touring" parts and my old Zenith and totally stock drive train, but I am a happy camper now that I can drive along the Long Island Expressway or various Thruways and Parkways on non-rush hours with all the right hand lane drivers.

I use MOBIL ONE and it burns NO OIL, and meets or exceeds my every expectation.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by fordgarage

James,
What is your thoughts on Bill's IB340 Cam?
The IB330 is just a regular B cam re-profiled for the smaller foot lifters available today.

I would put a IB340 cam on a car if using the HC Head.
Just MHO. What's yours?

Bill Stipe Model A and B Camshaft Specifications on Ford Garage

funny, Bill recommended to me that I use a 330 with an overdrive, and a 340 if I wanted to run without one. He said the power curve was at a higher rpm with the 340.

I have a 330 in the sedan and love it. I did install a 340 in a vicky, but as much as I liked it, it was for a customer and I have not driven it enough to compare the two properly.