Cheap 318 performance mods.

michiganpat said
the "cracked" ones are fine to run, they never leak water where they crack between the seats, might be able to get some for really cheap, and they flow better than a 360 head, but with a small chamber for compression. 1.6 ratio rockers also give you more lift/flow out of the cam.

IIRC 20 years ago I found a potential "cheap" performance spring for them, the stock springs out of a GM 3400. More Information for MELLING VS2224. uses an 8mm valve, IIRC you're limited to about .480" lift....

Even though I recommended against there use, this is what I am doing right now. The cracks appear in between the valves and effect nothing unless there huge. The cracked heads are currently up top a 5.9 in a Duster with an old Crane Hyd cam, pictured below with the normal bolt on HP parts.

The new lift to .530 is handled by a Hughes. Engines trick spring kit.

I gave my reasons above as to why to skip the Magnum head in favor of aluminum which I stand by. Of course, should he decide to move away from the stock head.