I really hate to ruffle feathers, but, I read thru the original post, and I guess I am having a hard time finding where there was a problem with the heads? I understand the other mis-matched parts, but from what I can see, the heads was not an issue?? Again, not to disagree, and I really don't want to hype up these Pro-Comp, Srtike Force, etc etc, what ever they are called by whatever warehouse is selling them. But, here are my findings on the small block chevy, and big block chevy heads.
The big block heads, I would be scared to use with anything with moderate and above spring pressure. There is very little "meat" for the stud. They use a helicoil in that spot, and, part of it sticks into the port. So, that means the 320's would be the only ones I would use, on milder stuff, if it was on the cheap. As the 360's are flat to big for any hydraulic roller, or solid cam engine, unless it was a big inch deal, but then, you wouldn't be buying the cheap heads
The small block chevy heads, are, as much as I hate to say it, a pretty darn nice head for the money. I have had 3 sets in the shop now, 2 of which were brought to me, to be used on engine builds, and ported. The casting, is actualy very nice. THere is no porosity issues, its quality, hard aluminumn, and, actualy, I know this will bug some guys, but, I think its a nicer casting than the older Pre-eliminator AFR line, lol. Sorry Afr guys. The seats, are obviously quality powdered metal, one source says they are sbi seats and guides. All I know, is they cut like rocks. So far, on 2 sets, the valve train worked out nice. The stud holes were straight, the pushrods didn't hit anywhere, everything lined up right, and it was a simple, as it should be, assembly. They flow ok too. WIth absolutely nothing done, as delivered, they won;t set any flow benches on fire, but, 245 and 170, isn;t bad, for how crude the bowl is, and how god awful the guide boss's are. THe intake guide boss is rediculously big. With a 5 minute per port blend job, they flow 262 and 180. The port is a bit under 200cc. I used a set on a mild street/mud truck type application, 383, hydraulic cam, pump gas, old style Perf. Rpm, and it made 460hp, and 480 ft/lbs. Another set, I was used on another, a bit more agressive street, occasional bracket race combo, pump gas, 250 at ,050, .600 lift hydraulic roller, victor jr, heads were ported moderatly, about 205cc, 2.02 valve still, and they moved 280cfm on the intake, and 220 on the exhaust. That engine made 515hp, and 502 ft/lbs.
I bought a set for a budget engine that I am building for my car, so I can get the car out next year, while I build my all aluminumn, 427 ls1 style carbed engine for my car, its a 73 Camaro. But, since I will have very little money in this engine, I said, I am going to get a set of those cheap heads, and really go after them, and see how they work. My developtmental port, goes 306cfm, with a 2.05 valve, at about 218cc. My bench is conservative too, at least compared to a couple other local shops, one of which, is about 9 more than mine, and another, that is about 20 more. I welded, and offset the pushrod, and am using a .150 offset Harland sharp stud rocker, I thought about getting some T&D sportsman .220 offsets, but, it wouldn;t make sense, to spend more on the rockers than the heads, and it will keep my budget engine a budget engine, which, you guys would sh*t if you knew how little I will have in it. 388 inches, Scat cast steel crank, Eagle H-beams, Speed Pro 2vr forged coated skirt flat tops, Power Bond SFI dampner, Comp roller lifters, custom solid roller, etc etc. I will have about $1200 in cash out of my pocket in it. Owning an engine shop, you "aquire" a lot of stuff over the years, for cheap or free, and, comsidering I can do all the machining, and balancing, porting, etc etc, myself, it doesn't add up. My goal is over 600 on pump gas. It should be going on the pump, in the next month or so, in the middle of moving shop locations, and been busy trying to get stuff done, so, I haven't been working on it much lately, but hopefully in the next month or so. Like I said, this isn't an add for these heads, I actualy wish I would have gotten some new Platimun Dart Pro-1's, and, they would have worked better, with a bunch less work, which, I will say one thing, the Pro-Comp/Strike force heads, need a TON of work to get them to the level I have mine.
Frank
Advanced Performance
www.get-ap.com