Just got W9 heads, what now?

Leon441 said
Problem is generally people assume W9 is better than W8 just because the number is larger. WRONG Then if you have a W9 that can be used on a 59 degree block you are backing the truck way way way up.

The improvements made with the Arrington's, W7's, W8's and W9's were in the port spacing and worked very well on 48 degree blocks because the lifter and pushrod spacing is corrected. Moving the lifter .250" seems like little to do and stand the lifter up towards the rocker by going 48 degrees is talked about alot. Problem is with the W9's you have just acquired you are limited with porting because the pushrod area required limits porting.

With only 367 cubic inches you would take substantial gains by going with a R3 block that uses 48 degree lifters. And the guys are right you are going to spend a lot of $ getting those heads ready for use.

Either set them aside for sale and buy some Indy 360-1 or something similar. Or figure on buying a block as it will be the best money spent considering what you are getting ready to do. Your heads can be worked as to take advantage of the R3 48 degree blocks.

Leon

While you guys are alot smarter than me, and im certainly no ed pink or keith black, im still really young and learning alot. But here's my 2 cents anyhow. =D

yea, the w8s will out flow w9s when its all said and done and the 48deg block has better geometry for sure and would be more beneficial all the way around. I think his plan is to use a stock block to avoid shelling out major cash for really exotic pieces. While the 48deg geometry for durability/porting is surely better no question, among other things that are more beneficial like the R3s revised oiling system compared to a stock block or even an R1 or X or T/A. The blocks thickness compared to a stock block is obviously superior aswell.

i think he'd be fine using a 59deg block though. My dad builds and tunes my dirt modified motor and we've been running the same ~2hp per cube 340 engine combo for a few years now on the dirt track without any problems using the 59deg block.. leaving me to believe from what iv'e seen that the 59deg valvetrain durability "problem" isn't really that big of a problem.And we even use the older stands+shaft ductile iron adjustable offset w2 rockerarms. though we do only use a small circle track solid lift roller camshaft (.650") we do rev it up pretty high for extened periods. It usually bumps against the 8000 rev limiter chip right before its time to get out of it and set the car up for the corner. now, ive seen a few chevrolets tear rockerarms up at the track but we never have had that problem with our little bullet.

Regards,
david