308 wich head to use?

Unknown
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edited November -1 in HUDSON
I have a 308 in my 53 Hornet. I also have 2 aluminum heads. 1 has 308 super power dome on it, the other has H`145 Super power dome on it,. Which is better? Why? Thanx!! Arnie

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    arnie53 wrote:
    I have a 308 in my 53 Hornet. I also have 2 aluminum heads. 1 has 308 super power dome on it, the other has H`145 Super power dome on it,. Which is better? Why? Thanx!! Arnie
    If you plan to drive this car on highways at speed, stay away from aluminum heads. Use a good 308 iron head, decked 0.020 and you will be happy. Walt.
  • dougson
    dougson Senior Contributor
    arnie53 wrote:
    I have a 308 in my 53 Hornet. I also have 2 aluminum heads. 1 has 308 super power dome on it, the other has H`145 Super power dome on it,. Which is better? Why? Thanx!! Arnie



    I would like to know the numbers cast into each head to be sure but the H 145 Super Power Dome is probably either an early (52-53) 7.2:1 compression head or a later 7.5:1 (53-54). It may or may not have the displacement cast into it. The Super Power Dome is most likely a '55-56 head and has a 7.5:1 compression ratio, and has the displacement cast into it. The pre-'55 heads should be 2" thick if not milled and have 1/2" bolt holes, the '55-56 head will be about 1 and 7/8" an have 9/16" bolt holes. If you lay the heads side by side, the '55 head should have a visably smaller combustion chamber.



    The opinion on aluminum versus iron will range all over the place. I am going with aluminum.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I have to go with Walt on this one. I tried an aluminum head on my 52 Hornet and after going through five to find one that could be used it lasted less than 200 miles. I changed over to the steel 308 head and did a bit of machining with it and got it back on the road. I would stay away from the aluminum heads.
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    Unless you invest in a Clifford Aluminum head!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    dougson wrote:
    I would like to know the numbers cast into each head to be sure but the H 145 Super Power Dome is probably either an early (52-53) 7.2:1 compression head or a later 7.5:1 (53-54). It may or may not have the displacement cast into it. The Super Power Dome is most likely a '55-56 head and has a 7.5:1 compression ratio, and has the displacement cast into it. The pre-'55 heads should be 2" thick if not milled and have 1/2" bolt holes, the '55-56 head will be about 1 and 7/8" an have 9/16" bolt holes. If you lay the heads side by side, the '55 head should have a visably smaller combustion chamber.



    The opinion on aluminum versus iron will range all over the place. I am going with aluminum.
    All Hudson heads regardless of year are all 2 inches in thickness. Any thing under means it's been milled. 0.060 is the most you can mill a Hudson head. Walt.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    50C8DAN wrote:
    Unless you invest in a Clifford Aluminum head!
    You must have the 1/2 inch bolts to use a clifford head in 54 down blocks. Walt.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Is the Clifford Aluminum performance head worth the bucks. How much performance does it really give?
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