I have a nice set of gasket matched and blended '65 heads...sitting on my shelf. I found a nice set of AFR 165's that had been milled to get the chambers down to 54cc. Did I need to do it? No. Does it make a difference? Yes, and it is significant. What's the logic to having more allegiance to keeping an iron set of heads than keeping an iron intake or exhaust manifolds? Intake and exhaust manifolds are the first things most people change to improve performance. Could my '65s be made to flow as well as the AFRs? Maybe, but not for the same money I have in the AFRs and removing 60# from the front end is a nice bonus. To each his own.
I suppose I have the same nostalgic like for a 289 as people do for iron heads. Yes there are better power options over a 289 by adding more stroke, but there is a certain satisfaction surprising people with it's performance.
I agree with you, wholeheartedly!
Anyone making decisions has to weigh the options readily available.
Sure, if someone already has a set of aluminum heads, sitting in one's garage, it's almost a no brainer decision to use them over a set of ported iron heads.
BUT, take away the aluminum head option and determining what U want from the engine, U then have to decide, do I buy a set of aluminum heads, just because everybody says that's the "cure-all" way to go, or do U come to a conclusion that 350 horse power is all U actually need!?
I know I have about 330 to 350 horse power coming outa my 289. Would I like more? Ya!
Do I need more to get from point A to point Z, NOPE! Is it worth the money to go get and install a 550 horse 408? NOPE! Especially when I weigh the 38 years of perfect performance from what I already have, to the additional power I'd use, only on occasion, TO SHOW OFF! I never intended to build a race car, so I built it my way.
Anyone wanting to spend big bucks on race parts, for a street application, BE MY GUEST!
Anybody that wants to save a few bucks by porting or moderately re-working a set of iron heads, can be my guest also!
Just remember, APPLICATION and CHOICE is anybody's option! 😏