Help with heads, what to do????
 

I got a slight problem with the valve spring on the intake side of the # 1 cyl. It seems that I can wiggle it around a bit. Now I don't think thats suppose to happen. My dad said it was a bad valve guide. So whats involved in fixing it, and can it be fixed cheaply?

So I have 2 options. Either get this one fixed on my stock heads, or go with a set of after market heads. What would you do in this situation? I know its REAL good excuse to get a nice set of heads, so thats what I'm kinda leaning towards. I just need input!

Also if I do go with new heads, what brand would work well with my combo? I was thinking of Trick Flow twisted wedge, Edelbrock performer, or Holley systemmax heads. And whats the difference in the size of the intake valves, does it matter?

Thanks a lot, I'm kinda lost here on what to do!

-Craig

Based on your combo I'm surprised you haven't already upgraded to better heads. It all comes down to how much you want to spend. If money is no object there are a lot of aluminum heads that kick butt. Especially the AFR's.

If you want to save some money the Winsor Jr's are a good bolt-on head and cost like $400/pr.

I don't think you'll want to go with the larger intake valve heads unless you're willing to get more involved with after market pistons or having yours fly-cut. The difference in size probably won't be worth the extra effort.

Where ya gettin' windsor jr's for $400 a pair?

If you're sayin you have slack in a installed valve spring then you have problems. Maybe Pounded the valve seat into the head ? or gettin ready to pull the head off the valve ? or a broken spring ?
As for replacing the heads ... any of the ones you mentioned would work well with your combo ... what valve size you want depends on a lot of things, how high you gonna rev it ? what are you gonna use it for ? The port size in the heads you're using ? do you want your horsepower up on the top end or down lower in the rpm band ? Remember everything in Hotrodding is a compromise... you get one thing you have to give something else up ! Boring as it may be ... the application you are gonna use the car for has to be at the top of the list ... then build from there.

Oops. I meant $400 ea.

Oh yea, those heads are gone, FUBAR, I can't believe is it still runs:eek: ;)

I'd pick up a set of TFS heads. I think summit has them for $995.00 a pair.

Or if you'z 'po like me, a set of GT-40P's can be picked up for $630.00 a pair with ungraded .570 springs and stainless valves.