Dano 1
Member
I'm picking up a set of 452 head castings that the current owner had tuned up with a cleanup decking, 2.15/1.81 intake/exhaust valves with a 3-angle job, new guides etc. but no port work. My current 346 heads are pretty tired (pitted seats, loose guides etc.) so when these popped up for cheap I snagged them.
My question is, is it worth porting these to make better use of the bigger valves or will I not see enough gains on the street to justify the time or cost. I've never ported before but I'd consider doing a basic job myself. I imagine to have a shop do even a basic 'cleanup' or pocket port and gasket match would be pretty expensive even if the rest of the work has been done.
Current engine combo is a very mild 1971 440:
Stock pistons, rods, crank etc.
Melling MTD2 'rv' cam
Exhaust duration @0.050: 214
Exhaust lift: .443in
Intake duration @0.050: 204
Intake lift: .421in
Edelbrock CH4B intake
Holley 750 vacuum secondary
1-3/4" primary headers
The main reason I picked up these heads is because they were just 'gone through' and are cheap. The bigger valves are just gravy assuming I don't actually lose performance due to a drop in velocity. Thoughts? Thanks!
My question is, is it worth porting these to make better use of the bigger valves or will I not see enough gains on the street to justify the time or cost. I've never ported before but I'd consider doing a basic job myself. I imagine to have a shop do even a basic 'cleanup' or pocket port and gasket match would be pretty expensive even if the rest of the work has been done.
Current engine combo is a very mild 1971 440:
Stock pistons, rods, crank etc.
Melling MTD2 'rv' cam
Exhaust duration @0.050: 214
Exhaust lift: .443in
Intake duration @0.050: 204
Intake lift: .421in
Edelbrock CH4B intake
Holley 750 vacuum secondary
1-3/4" primary headers
The main reason I picked up these heads is because they were just 'gone through' and are cheap. The bigger valves are just gravy assuming I don't actually lose performance due to a drop in velocity. Thoughts? Thanks!