I have aquired a set of used ZZ502 aluminum heads and need some advice/suggestions.

The valve springs in the heads now are for a roller cam so I need to change them out. I have a Lunati(Ultradyne)280/288 hydraulic flat tappet cam in my .030 over 454. I'm looking at Lunati's 73236 springs (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=LUN-73236) , I think that would be a good choice but I've picked the wrong springs before(2 wiped cams later:sad:). The 1.125 ID will fit the aftermarket retainers that are on the heads now and I would like to use them(Manley titanium retainers).

My next question is what head gasket to use. The main reason for the head swap is I can't cure(without 5 gals of VP110 racing fuel or a full bottle of Kemco 130 to a tank of gas) a detonation issue so I'm going up to the 110cc ZZ502 heads from the 101cc 290 casting heads on the engine now. I forget the exact figures now but with the .133 dome KB hypereutectic pistons I'm at around 10.5-1 static CR. I'm thinking I'll be going down to about 9.7/9.8 CR.

Any thoughts suggestions?

Thanks!!!:thumbsup:

Jim,I would check with Lunati directly on the springs and I would use what ever head gasket Edelbrock reccomends.

Edelbrock (which those heads are essentially) recommends the 1017 Felpro for the MK IV block. Better go with these unless somebody has a better suggestion.

Jim,I would check with Lunati directly on the springs and I would use what ever head gasket Edelbrock reccomends.

The Crane springs I used on the 290 heads you recommended way back when worked out fine but I want to leave them on those heads and go with something that will make some more rpm before giving up on the aluminum heads.:thumbsup::D

Looks like the Felpro 1017 head gaskets are the way to go.

Jim,it might be worthwhile just to grab another set of those Crane springs/retainers..
Our cam isn't going to make any power past 5600-5700 so there is no sense in having anything crazy for springs.

Jim,it might be worthwhile just to grab another set of those Crane springs/retainers..
Our cam isn't going to make any power past 5600-5700 so there is no sense in having anything crazy for springs.


The Crane springs are ok but those Crane retainers are heavy as a loaded dump truck. When I put them on the 290 heads I used a much smaller retainer made by Howards that was much lighter even though it was steel. The heads I bought have high dollar Manley titainium retainers on them so I want to use a spring that will fit them if I can.

I may be jumping the gun a bit since I don't have the heads in my possesion yet to see exactly what I have. But I'm hoping to get things sorted out and install them fairly soon.

Thanks again for your input!