I really feel if maximum HP is the goal, and you want to keep the engine "traditional", the Ram Air V configuration will get you there with more reliability than the conventional valve layout. There simply isn't enough real estate between cylinders to run big valves and have that huge heat concentration right in the center of the head. Combine that with an aluminum head and large space between fasteners and the head has no choice but to "hump up" between those center fasteners and eventually fail a head gasket. Again I will mention that we are still running the original pair of head gaskets we put on the engine in 2011. They have been on and off probably 20 times. Same 10 head bolts. The valve layout is brilliant. Hate to admit the design came from Ford, but it works.
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