Reply to "4 engines in 2 months"

Are we talking about the WEIAND water pump again? No one mentioned a name, but I'll bet ya'...
Also, I doubt this applies here but it could save someone an engine in the future. If you run factory iron heads, they don't hold enough oil in the valve covers to cool the valve springs properly under competition conditions. For some reason valve springs in a Cleveland run hotter then others engines.
I had heard that even the 'high-port' heads (yes George that includes my A3 heads) were having problems. When you add quick drain back features for the oil it accentuates the problem. I personally have not had the problem but this was for NASCAR type useage.
I believe that the Yates heads attempted to deal with the problem by changing the pitch of the drain back "gutters" under the valve cover to puddle more oil against the valve covers (like 2" of it) and submerge the spring seat in oil. The Yates heads also raised the valve cover "curb". I heard that it seems to have reduced the spring breakage problem.
The "sprinkler head" valve covers are also pointed in that direction. I don't know if they work. I personally haven't had a spring breakage problem (yet).
I will say that I have observed on my own cars the necessaty to "glue" the covers down with silicone. The cork gaskets leaked with both my A and B heads (never had a C head). That indicates to me that the heads are holding more oil against the covers then the iron heads do.
I hope this is useful to some of you out there.
I have to pass this stuff on when I have a period of lucidaty.