New EQ Head port misalignment?

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Bobzilla said:
But you used the bolt holes in the heads, right?
If both heads are placed on a block, then the intake is placed on the heads with no bolts, we can see where the intake will "sit" on the heads and if the ports line up with intake. Again, ignoring the bolt holes. if everything lines up pretty close, just drill new holes.
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That would be my solution also IF the ports align well.
 
Thanks for the tips. I bolted this 273 Offy dual quad to one of my EQ heads. I believe a 273 intake matches better with the Magnum intake ports as the Magnum ports are smaller than LA intake port windows. Anyway I placed my camera in thru where the carbs mount to see the misalignment with the head.

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Bobzilla said:
But you used the bolt holes in the heads, right?
If both heads are placed on a block, then the intake is placed on the heads with no bolts, we can see where the intake will "sit" on the heads and if the ports line up with intake. Again, ignoring the bolt holes. if everything lines up pretty close, just drill new holes.
Click to expand...
For sure the heads and intake should be test fit on the block.
However, I’m not optimistic the port alignment would be very good, since the EQ ports are raised about .200” compared to a factory magnum head.
 
Michael Harrington said:
Thanks for the tips. I bolted this 273 Offy dual quad to one of my EQ heads. I believe a 273 intake matches better with the Magnum intake ports as the Magnum ports are smaller than LA intake port windows. Anyway I placed my camera in thru where the carbs mount to see the misalignment with the head.

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And now you see why I sent mine back. Could possibly be massaged into working but Id rather start from a better starting point then this. Sorry to break the news to you. Seems like EQ is junk these days.

Whats odd is the rep at EQ was adimate that people use these heads and they work and fit well but doesnt know what people do to make them work. Makes me wonder if Im missing something. but hard to argue with physical parts plainly not matching up.
 
And remember magnum heads DO run just fine with cracks, until the crack makes it's way across the valve seat. Then you have valve sealing issues eventually.
 
I’ve only ever had a few used Magnum heads in my shop, and they had come off trucks that had been used as trucks.
Exhaust seats really pounded out and sunk, big wide cracks running across and down into both bowls.

At the time we would buy remanned castings(welded, new guides, valve job, surfaced) and reuse the original parts from the customers heads(after cleaning everything and refacing the valves).
 
Michael Harrington said:
Thanks for the tips. I bolted this 273 Offy dual quad to one of my EQ heads. I believe a 273 intake matches better with the Magnum intake ports as the Magnum ports are smaller than LA intake port windows. Anyway I placed my camera in thru where the carbs mount to see the misalignment with the head.

View attachment 1716351749

View attachment 1716351751

View attachment 1716351752
Click to expand...
Again, mock up up the heads on a block. Then set the intake on the heads ignoring the intake bolts for now. Then get another picture.
 
DionR said:
???

The 5.2 and 5.9 head are the same. LA 318 and 360 are different but the Magnums share the same head. As far as I know.
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Well that explains it then. I wondered if that was the case.
 
Damn all of a sudden speed master heads seem like premium castings compared to these EQ’s. Quality control surely has gone of the rails.
 
I'd like to make this point too... while I was wrapping up these heads to return them I noticed this... they seem to have been made in 2021 or earlier...
20250107_204926.jpg
 
The feature these EQ heads have that is unique and incredibly desirable is their LA manifold bolt configuration. I asked the machine shop owner in my town if he had ever drilled Magnum heads to accept LA intake manifolds and he said no. I didnt ask if he was willing to because I already had the EQ heads with the desired intake pattern. I had this shop check the guide fitment and seat sealing. He said it was all good out of the box and the quality of springs retainers and valves were good quality as well. I had him cut down the guides for increased lift cam compatibility and then began porting my heads. I was certain I exercised due diligence. But Ill mock them on a block eventually.
 
Michael Harrington said:
The feature these EQ heads have that is unique and incredibly desirable is their LA manifold bolt configuration. I asked the machine shop owner in my town if he had ever drilled Magnum heads to accept LA intake manifolds and he said no. I didnt ask if he was willing to because I already had the EQ heads with the desired intake pattern. I had this shop check the guide fitment and seat sealing. He said it was all good out of the box and the quality of springs retainers and valves were good quality as well. I had him cut down the guides for increased lift cam compatibility and then began porting my heads. I was certain I exercised due diligence. But Ill mock them on a block eventually.
Click to expand...
When you mock it up ignore the bolt pattern alignment on the head for now. Use the gaskets that fit the ports, again ignore the bolt pattern alignment. Set the intake on the motor with the gaskets. Be sure the intake is centered. if the port in the head is too high compared to the intake port, then stack another gasket on each side and recheck. If the port lines up now you can glue the gaskets together or have someone make the appropriate thickness gasket. I think cometic will do this. If the gasket bolt holes align with the intake ( they should) then this is where your heads will need to be redrilled to fit the intake bolt pattern. The original holes will need to be plugged as outlined in a earlier post. If the misalignment appears to be slight you may consider slotting the intake and gasket holes to fit the existing bolt pattern in the heads.
Check water port alignment and be sure distributor shaft engagement is correct. Also you will probably not be able to use cork or rubber end seals.

I would only consider this approach if you already have alot of time and or money in the heads or you really need/want to use these heads. Good luck.
 
92b said:
When you mock it up ignore the bolt pattern alignment on the head for now. Use the gaskets that fit the ports, again ignore the bolt pattern alignment. Set the intake on the motor with the gaskets. Be sure the intake is centered. if the port in the head is too high compared to the intake port, then stack another gasket on each side and recheck. If the port lines up now you can glue the gaskets together or have someone make the appropriate thickness gasket. I think cometic will do this. If the gasket bolt holes align with the intake ( they should) then this is where your heads will need to be redrilled to fit the intake bolt pattern. The original holes will need to be plugged as outlined in a earlier post. If the misalignment appears to be slight you may consider slotting the intake and gasket holes to fit the existing bolt pattern in the heads.
Check water port alignment and be sure distributor shaft engagement is correct. Also you will probably not be able to use cork or rubber end seals.

I would only consider this approach if you already have alot of time and or money in the heads or you really need/want to use these heads. Good luck.
Click to expand...
The distributor shaft is not controlled by the intake manifold like a Chevy. J.Rob
 
92b said:
When you mock it up ignore the bolt pattern alignment on the head for now. Use the gaskets that fit the ports, again ignore the bolt pattern alignment. Set the intake on the motor with the gaskets. Be sure the intake is centered. if the port in the head is too high compared to the intake port, then stack another gasket on each side and recheck. If the port lines up now you can glue the gaskets together or have someone make the appropriate thickness gasket. I think cometic will do this. If the gasket bolt holes align with the intake ( they should) then this is where your heads will need to be redrilled to fit the intake bolt pattern. The original holes will need to be plugged as outlined in a earlier post. If the misalignment appears to be slight you may consider slotting the intake and gasket holes to fit the existing bolt pattern in the heads.
Check water port alignment and be sure distributor shaft engagement is correct. Also you will probably not be able to use cork or rubber end seals.

I would only consider this approach if you already have alot of time and or money in the heads or you really need/want to use these heads. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Helpful instructions. It's a project slated for a much later date however I may obtain a block so I can do these mockups. Engine Quest will not say there is a problem because these heads will work. It's just not ideal. For a regular stock family transport this will go unnoticed. But I thought the only drawback to these Chinese heads for a performance app was the sloppy port wall surface quality which I have been correcting with porting and even some polish. I wish a more reputable company made Magnum heads with the LA intake mounting arrangement. The pics are when I replaced the keggar plenum gasket in the bottom. I placed my two intakes on the engine for the heck of it and snapped some pics

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I have a pair of Indy LA-X heads on the LA 360 in my 67 Barracuda. Bought them a dozen years ago. They are basically a Magnum head with LA intake bolt pattern and LA shaft type rocker setup. Every thing fit perfectly.

I believe they were made for Indy by RHS. They are no longer available, not sure why Indy (and RHS) quit offering them.
 
Michael Harrington said:
Helpful instructions. It's a project slated for a much later date however I may obtain a block so I can do these mockups. Engine Quest will not say there is a problem because these heads will work. It's just not ideal. For a regular stock family transport this will go unnoticed. But I thought the only drawback to these Chinese heads for a performance app was the sloppy port wall surface quality which I have been correcting with porting and even some polish. I wish a more reputable company made Magnum heads with the LA intake mounting arrangement. The pics are when I replaced the keggar plenum gasket in the bottom. I placed my two intakes on the engine for the heck of it and snapped some pics

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View attachment 1716352461
Click to expand...
I am comparing your pictures from post 77 to post 94. It is subjective, but my brain is convinced that intake was sitting higher on the actual Magnum heads than it was on the EQ heads. Maybe you will still be ok on these. Maybe it will be close enough to re-drill and then just do a little port matching. The OP of this thread was able to send his back, but you are past that point.

I see you are in west Michigan. Do you ever get to the east side? I have blocks we could use to mock up your heads and intake if you brought them here.
 
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