[GT350HR]

Consider this. FEW have a machine shop at their home , but apparently many have a die grinder. So , let's say you want to rework a pair of iron heads you already own. We start the "cash register" @ zero. The "goal" is a set of home ported , big valve heads "on a budget". To do it "right" , the "new" larger valve seats SHOULD be established first so you can "port" to them. So "outside work" needed before you port is,
Valves , $160
Studs $45
Springs / retainers/ locks $160
Machine work
Valve job/ machine for larger valves $150 (min)
Valve guides "knurl" $40 , replace ( iron) $100 (bronze) $120 "optional"
Mill and tap for studs $120 ( min)
Surface heads $80
If you can get these prices you have $755 in them with knurled guides and we haven't even talked about hardened exhaust seats. Yes the numbers will vary but the point is you HAVE to spend money FIRST.
Then "you" can grind to your hearts content and assemble them with pride.
Next. An "experienced" porter can usually get a '65 head to about 220 cfm intake flow after 20 hours of grinding , IF you spend less time you will have LESS flow. When I started building race 289's in '66 we were limited as there were NO aftermarket heads and the "rebirth" of the 302/5.0 didn't happen until aftermarket heads were created
That is why MANY go to an aftermarket head ( iron or aluminum) which commonly flow 240 or more "out of the box"
What is the best way to go ?

 

[GT350HR]

I was told by the PO who is an automotive machinist that he rebuilt my 289 to stock specs. With a dual exhaust system, Summit intake and Summit 500 cfm carb with a C4 and a 2.79 pegleg, my car is an excellent performer.

Im not smoking the tires because tires cost money, but when manually shifted I can easily chirp the tires 1-2 and 2-D.

Thats plenty of hp for me. On my 65 and on every V8 65-68 Mustang I have owned there is a crack in the sheetmetal at the base of the rear quarter window. Stress induced Im guessing. To fix it, it has to be drilled, welded and a gusset welded on the underside to prevent it from coming back.

How many of your cars have this crack?

The crack you are talking about is the LEAD filler Ford used on major panel seams. I've seen it on six cylinder coupes too. My Shelby with over three thousand mid 11 , high 10 second drag strip runs has cracks in the lead at the joining of the windshield posts to the top . Sure they are stress related , but it does not mean the roof is coming off. Since the "stress flow" is different on a fastback, I don't have cracks at the 1/4 panel. Engine horsepower has varied from 5 to 600+ and I do not have sub frame connectors. Cracks like you are noting are more than likely brought on by "normal street driving" over irregular roads rather than "torque twisting" the unibody like I do regularly.

 

[GT350HR]

"Port matching" is NOT where the horsepower is on factory iron heads. A 10 hp increase would be above average. "First timers" have no business grinding on cylinder heads , period. Harsh? Maybe , but honest. The chances of doing all ports the same AND seeing 40 or more HP are slim to none on the first try. You can make ports "look" big easily , but that alone doesn't guarantee HP improvement. I saw allot of this in the '60s and '70s when there were NO other heads available. "I" switched to Boss 302 heads which was another steep learning curve , but I was making 500+ HP by '75. 40+ years later that doesn't sound so great because of the many advancements since then.

 

[GT350HR]

Start packing a briefcase of dollar bills.

 

[GT350HR]

Sure. Roger that 👍

When EGO enters the scenario , COMMON SENSE goes out the window. You can "preach common sense" until the cows come home but you will never convert the heathens that LIVE off of power and speed. It been this way since the time of Roman chariots. "You" will not change it , sorry.

 

[GT350HR]

My Daily driver is BORING and gets 22 MPG. My GT350 at the drag strip "might" get 1 MPG but I have a HELL of allot more fun doing it. Do I need a 700 HP "sunny day'' street car ? NO , but my EGO says YES. I have worked 50+ years to get what I have and do what I do. I plan on enjoying to the fullest before I CAN'T. Others can penny pinch all they want , I'm spending MY dollars , not leaving them to someone else.