[R 70 Judge]

As some of you know, I'm in the process of building a 505ci IA2 based street/strip engine for my '63 Tempest. My choice in cylinder heads has changed a few times throughout the process of gathering parts. I started with a E-head, moved on to a rockershafted Wenzler, and then finally settled on the KRE highport heads. Based on the feedback I received from Steve Coombes and a few other board members, I decided to give the highport head a shot. Based on a recommendation from Jim "Old Man" Taylor, I chose to have Jim Robertson do all of the cylinder head work and intake manifold porting. Judging by the results, I'd say I made the right choice. The mid-lift numbers are incredible!

Keep in mind this is a standard pushrod location head, not a wideport. There's no need for rockershafts and off-set roller lifters. I ordered the heads bare, with the seats installed, but not cut. I also added a set of the Ferrea 1200 series 2.20 intake and 1.70 exhaust valves.

Here's what they flowed on the R.A.C.E. flowbench before and after portwork was done. The only modification to the stock head is the competition valve seat work.

Stock
28" on a 4.21" bore - 2.20" intake/1.7" exhaust valves - No tube
__Intake_______________Exhaust__
.100__75.78_________.100__66.49
.200__137.9_________.200__118.8
.300__197.1_________.300__152.5
.400__258.0_________.400__179.6
.500__299.5_________.500__189.8
.600__311.5_________.600__196.5
.700__325.7_________.700__202.5
.800__326.9_________.800__205.0
.900__330.2_________.900__209.3

R.A.C.E. Ported
28" on a 4.21" bore - 2.20" intake/1.7" exhaust valves - No tube
Intake ports ended up @ 2.55" x 1.35" at the pushrod constriction
Sorry, I don't have all of the exhaust numbers.
__Intake_______________Exhaust__
.100__82.40_________.100__
.200__151.7_________.200__
.300__222.0_________.300__
.400__296.7_________.400__205
.500__349.6_________.500__
.600__367.8_________
.650__374.3_________.650__264
.700__374.5_________.700__
.800__377.9_________.800__
.900__382.4_________.900__

[JKrull66]

Stir the pot my friend.....
lookin good

[gata79]

I sent my highports to Jim.From what I've seen and heard he's about as good as it gets.

[potentpontiac]

Those are some very impressive numbers.The mid lift #S are phenominal.Looks like you will be making some serious power.Jim is very good with head porting for sure.

[Ron]

Ding...Ding...Ding!!! We have a winner!!!!

[Wareagle]

Congrats.

[SLICK1]

Great improvements and astonishing flow numbers for a standard pushrod location head!!! How long did it take to have them prepared and how much for the work? (you can answer in a PM if nessesary)

[Old Man Taylor]

Awesome numbers!

[SupergasDil]

Very Nice. OMT is the Man!!!!

[punisher#1]

your mid lift numbers are very close to mine with the offset pushrod (mine go around 350@ .500) congrats, sounds like jim does some good work.

[slowbird]

Are you sure they measure 1.350" at the pushrod pinch? If so then he had to have moved the pushrod hole over. The widest you can go is 1.200" and that is with pushrod tubes pressured in. Unless something has changed with them.

[mjm421]

if you don't mind james, what id the work cost? thanks, mike

[R 70 Judge]

Originally Posted by slowbird

Are you sure they measure 1.350" at the pushrod pinch? If so then he had to have moved the pushrod hole over. The widest you can go is 1.200" and that is with pushrod tubes pressured in. Unless something has changed with them.

I'm going to leave these tech questions up to Jim, I don't want to misquote him and say the wrong thing. Hopefully he'll pop in here and answer a few questions. If not, I'll do my best.

[R 70 Judge]

Originally Posted by SLICK1

Great improvements and astonishing flow numbers for a standard pushrod location head!!! How long did it take to have them prepared and how much for the work? (you can answer in a PM if nessesary)

Originally Posted by mjm421

if you don't mind james, what id the work cost? thanks, mike

I don't want to misquote him on a price. When I get a concrete answer I'll send you guys a PM.

[rcush]

Jim,
If you don't mind could you send me a PM with the price, I just bought a set of High Ports and need to get some work on them, Thanks,

Bob

[gata79]

Just call Jim.He will go through what you want and give you a price.He loves to talk about this stuff.

[Pitch 400]

I talked to Jim this last weekend and will be sending him a set of Highports. Good guy to talk to as R 70 said. He has some realistic goals in mind if you don't want an all-out race engine or a race engine if you want.

[Jim Robertson]

James ordered the hi ports with seats, guides, valves and "standard" pushrod hole locations. The valve location and thus the pushrod holes do not appear to have the same spacing as original Pontiacs. Pushrod holes also appear to be angled. We discovered this while machining for the pushrod sleeves. I have not measured them or asked for the dimensions. I do know the intake pushrod location allows a bit more width than original Pontiac spacing. Heads are at the shop at this very moment so I cannot measure them.

Pricing depends on many factors but we price it per the customers needs/requirements. More flow = more $$ :-)

Thanks for your interest,
Jim

[455firebird1969]

Can you post some pics?

What type of cam are you planning (RMP limits) did you have do anything to address the added weight of longer valves?

[Fast Floridian]

In order to go more than 1.200 on the port width. You have had to grind up the interior wall. I bet the interior wall between the ports looks like a razor blade. Dont get crazy with the cam to much duration will make the ports lazy! You can run more lobe sep with this much flow. you should make 850 to 900 hp with now problem. Congrats.....