Heads?!#%&@*$

[jeepthrills01]

Hey everyone...I'll just jump into the facts....69 Coronet all numbers matching 318 car.
Just picked up a tight little 30k mile RV 440 engine with 452 heads and rear yoke 727 tranny. Also a fresh performance built long tail 727 never been run.
I'm still hashing out the cam....but more importantly...... now..... I'm curious about first hand experience only with 440source stealth vs Estreet.
Stealth seem to have higher intake flow (280 vs 210) but estreet has 75cc chamber. I only ask now because I'm finding the E Streets for 1150 a pair complete...and complet Stealths are 499 each right now. I know they both need going through...and the Stealths need 120 in parts out the box (retainers and locks....plus springs when cam is chosen).
So same price.....which got the nod? And GO!

Also just noticed the Edelbrock have angled plugs...tti only?

 

[Jerry Hall]

What is the intended use of what you are building? What year 440 and what compression?
Are you going to build the engine?
452 heads are good 906's are easy to find and build. I prefer 915's but they can get into the range you're talking about spending. I prefer Ma Mopar.
Most of all how does all this fit into your budget for the car?
On the facts you gave and this project were mine, I would be into a performance street car. So......
73 and before RV 440's were steel crank engines and if I had that I would build the engine to 10.1 compression, Racer Brown 509 cam, stock rods, 915 heads with 218/181 valves, anti pump-up hydraulic lifters, and a high quality adjustable rocker set. Stock 67-69 4bbl Intake. Install a good Hughes 2000-2500 RPM street converter on your fresh transmission. Install it all and go play. Depending on the fuel you can get in your area, this engine can be tuned and run great all the way down to 91 octane 20% ethanol. Paying for the machine work, head work and other new parts and gaskets, along with the balancing, and building the engine myself I would figure about 5K in the engine. Maybe I could get the converter in that budget too. IF IT WERE MY DECISION!!

 

[Jerry Hall]

214/181 valves, sorry fat fingers.

 

[tmaleck]

I know you said 440 source only, but you might want to look at Marsh performance. Oobviously not stock looking, but at $1300 complete and truly ready to run plus Todd will set them up with correct valve gear for your motor, it's hard to go wrong. No leaking valve seats either.
Tim

 

[65-440]

Another $120 needed for the source heads ? Why is this ? Mine are going strong 2+ years on my 383, and I drive a few thousand miles a year ....... unless you're wanting to run a big cam ?

 

[jeepthrills01]

This is a super low buck build for while I amass the parts for my intended swap...I just couldn't accept a 318 in a b body...especially one that needed work (has 2 dead holes).....I've always had big blocks.
So street cruiser....may see a drag strip 4 or 5 times a year. I'm leaving the bottom end alone. After reading IQ52's post and accompanying dyno pulls...it's in the good enough range....it's a 78 block ....I am expecting 7.8 CR.
3.55 gears...either 275/60/15's or something in an 18 (Year Ones new Road Wheels are nice)
Cost of porting iron vs new aluminum....new aluminum wins about every conversation.
I'm open on converters....depending on the cam....I'm guessing 3000 ish stall. Probably an msd 6a....long tube 1 7/8 headers, full 2.5 inch exhaust with welded mufflers and a demon 850.

My last resort is to toss on a torqstorm...should be good for 25 to 30% power increase.

The extra 120 on the Source heads are for the 10 degree retainers/locks, and all Teflon seals.

 

[jeepthrills01]

For 1300 from Marsh...looks like your getting Sidewinders....my research has shown be very leery of their castings....lots of inconsistancies. Am I not seeing what you are seeing?

I narrowed it down to those two because of good posts, reputation...and current pricing. But I am very open to be educated on other offerings.

 

[BSB67]

Stealth seem to have higher intake flow (280 vs 210) but estreet has 75cc chamber.

I think you need to double check your head flow numbers.

 

[1967coronet440]

For 1300 from Marsh...looks like your getting Sidewinders....my research has shown be very leery of their castings....lots of inconsistancies. Am I not seeing what you are seeing?

I narrowed it down to those two because of good posts, reputation...and current pricing. But I am very open to be educated on other offerings.

If that’s the case with side winders you can cross stealth’s off you’re list as well. You always get what you pay for, IMO.

 

[Bee1971]

I run the E Street 75cc heads

Yes they have angled plugs , I run the HP factory exhaust manifolds with zero issues on plug clearance

200psi cold cranking compression all eight with my 383/432 Stroker - 440 source

Comp XE 275HL Cam and Lifters

Had my machine shop go thru the heads before I installed them myself - He had zero issues

One summer , so far so great

 

[PRHeads]

75cc Estreet = angle plugs
84cc Estreet = straight plugs

No need to replace any hardware on the Estreets, as long as the springs are suitable for the cam choice.

Real world ootb flow numbers are higher for the Estreets over the Stealths.
Usually in the 10-15cfm range better for the Estreets.

 

[jeepthrills01]

If that’s the case with side winders you can cross stealth’s off you’re list as well. You always get what you pay for,

Stealths have a good reputation....now. Sidewinders are far less respected because of QC issues which appear to be ongoing.

So...what did you mean?]

 

[1967coronet440]

I haven’t used either so I can’t say too much about the quality of either product, think about it though do you want your heads coming from a machine shop or from an international shipping container? In either case you’re getting a $500 dollar head so I wouldn’t set expectations too high.

 

[jeepthrills01]

In either case you’re getting a $500 dollar head so I wouldn’t set expectations too high.

Now...that right there is some cold hard truth.
But.....by that same logic though....wouldn't we expect the same price point offering from the multi national performance parts conglomerate (Edelbrock) to be trash as well?

I'm just trying to get as much air as is possible moving through this giant chunk of iron at the fastest rate possible....as inexpensively as possible and with some reliability.

 

[1967coronet440]

Now...that right there is some cold hard truth.
But.....by that same logic though....wouldn't we expect the same price point offering from the multi national performance parts conglomerate (Edelbrock) to be trash as well?

My edelbrock heads are stamped made in the USA, trick flow also stamped made in USA, I paid $700 each for my victor max wedge heads bare got another $2000+ wrapped up in American made valvetrain components.

 

[jeepthrills01]

And if the ones from the machine shop have a bad reputation...the ones from the international shipping container have a good reputation.....and both are going to my machine shop anyway...what's the real difference? My guess is reputation.

 

[beanhead]

Edelbrock all the way in my opinion. They both should be checked by a professional first before running them but the stealths seem to cost everyone that preps them (properly), at minimum,the price difference between the two. And the Edelbrocks still outflow them in unported form according to most pro builders..The stealths are good if you want to paint them and disguise them as factory heads.

 

[1967coronet440]

And if the ones from the machine shop have a bad reputation...the ones from the international shipping container have a good reputation.....and both are going to my machine shop anyway...what's the real difference? My guess is reputation.

Ya it’s a crap shoot either way I guess, best of luck on your build!

 

[jeepthrills01]

My edelbrock heads are stamped made in the USA, trick flow also stamped made in USA, I paid $700 each for my victor max wedge heads bare got another $2000+ wrapped up in American made valvetrain components.

Your taking this as a personal attack...kinda grandstanding right now.
and I'm looking for personal experience with the subject at hand.....a super low buck 440 that I'm trying to get to breathe. You by your own admission have no personal experience on this subject.

I'm sorry your so offended by my questioning your answers...and adding some of my own logic.

 

[beanhead]

Do a search here (and over on For A-bodies only too for that matter) for related posts by "IQ52", "PRHeads", "Challenger340"...maybe that will help. Those guys are well-respected professionals that have been kind enough to share their knowledge and experience with us here over the years. You'll find some excellent un-biased experience-based info..