Reply to "Closed-chamber heads"

JWR,

I pick up cc heads on e-bay for less than $600, but by the time I pay shipping, they can be $500 to $600 for a pair. They usually cost over $100 per head to ship.

If you've read the other posts on this subject, you must understand the oem Ford valves, spring retainers & keepers are a liability and they MUST go before you install the heads. Read my comments regarding the Ford valve train at the following post:

http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5650045562/m/2380067104

The heads will raise the compression of a standard displacement motor about 0.8:1; not even one full point. They are most welcome on '73 & '74 motors that had only 8.0:1 compression from the factory. Assuming your '72 Pantera has a cobra jet motor rated at 8.8:1 compression ratio, your compression ratio will be increased to about 9.5:1. The change in compression alone is only worth about 3 to 6 bhp. The heads improve the snap of the motor, and many performance cams need more compression than 8.8:1, so upping the compression is needed to compliment hotter cams.

The real benefits of the cc heads are realized after having the block "decked", bringing the dome of the piston level with the cylinder head mating surface of the block at TDC. This will allow your motor to take advantage of the squish design built into the heads, and is worth at least 20 bhp.

Please read the folllowing post on this topic:

http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5650045562/m/6700079993

Your friend on the DTBB, George