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Hi I fancy up grading my special with a new head. Which head shall I go for to give me the best performance improvement and also the best value for my money ?
The engine is fairly standard at the moment although its got an Su carb and a banana exhaust.
Any advice gratefully received.
Regards Clive Medland
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 691 Threads: 37
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Location: The Scottish Border
I asked this question a while back and was recommended
to get a Ricardo aluminium head.
I’m very pleased with the result and I also run with a 1”SU
Other heads are available though ...
Regards
Bill G
Based near the Scottish Border,
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I was very impressed with a Dave Dye Ricardo head (made to minimum possible CR), but on an older/unrestored engine you might find any HC head makes a slightly oilier exhaust than with the standard LC head, if you have one of those currently... just from increased engine pressures.
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05-07-2019, 05:34 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-07-2019, 05:36 PM by Michael D.)
Ricardo head from David Dye or Motwaugh Hewitt head from John Barlow (if you can reach him) .... I like them both but my merchanic preferred the flow-looks of the Ricardo.
Doing business with David Dye was a bit swifter than with John Barlow but then.. John has had some. health problems, conflicts with British Telecom that made him unreachable in ay way other than by snail mail and on top of that a fire destroyed his bookkeping records ... so give him a bit of slack
David Dye is on this forum (Austin in the Shed) and if he reads this. he might send you a PM.
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Location: North Yorkshire
05-07-2019, 07:34 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-07-2019, 07:35 PM by Steve Jones.)
Dave Dye's reproduction Ricardo heads every time. I've got three. A fourth is due for delivery later this month.
Harry Ricardo new what he was doing even then.
Steve
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Location: Auckland NZ
Car type: 36 Nippy, 31 RM, 38 Special, 24 Works Rep
Whilst you are at it Clive take note of the advice on the cam follower thread and invest 25 quid there.
Black Art Enthusiast
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Location: Malvern, Victoria, Australia
'Whilst you are at it Clive take note of the advice on the cam follower thread and invest 25 quid there.'
And fit a '1937' head !
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Hi Thank you for the advice although I am slightly confused as Tony Press suggests I fit modified cam followers and then a 37 head which is on the engine already. Are you suggesting not to bother with a new head ?
Regards Clive
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Location: cambridgeshire
Hi
I am also thinking of replacing my cylinder head to gain a little more power.
Car happily travels at 40mph but lacks pull up hills and speed soon tails off.
How do I contact Dave Dye, does he have a website?