Newbie 52' Roadmaster 320 cyl. head tips

[rapidride2]

Hello all, after bending numerous pushrods on a car that sat for years, I have elected to remove my cylinder head for rebuild. The 52' roadmaster is COMPLETELY stock as it was found in a field.

My plans are to have my machinist magnaflux, replace guides as needed, valve job and possible milling of cylinder head for a bump in compression.

My questions are as follows:

1. Should I have hardened seats installed?
2. Should I mill the head to bump compression up from 7.5:1? If so what is a safe compression ratio (8.5:1--9:1?) I am using stock pistons as i just want to get this thing up and driving reliably. What is a very safe mill measurement for this head and what type of compression bump will it give me. What additional horsepower to expect?
3. I couldn't find the head gasket thickness for this engine. Does anyone know what thickness this engine may have had?
4. If I mill the head, will I have to change the pushrods?
5. Any other tips for this cylinder head rebuild? Thanks to all in advance.

[rudybdog]

Hello all, after bending numerous pushrods on a car that sat for years, I have elected to remove my cylinder head for rebuild. The 52' roadmaster is COMPLETELY stock as it was found in a field.

My plans are to have my machinist magnaflux, replace guides as needed, valve job and possible milling of cylinder head for a bump in compression.

My questions are as follows:

1. Should I have hardened seats installed?
2. Should I mill the head to bump compression up from 7.5:1? If so what is a safe compression ratio (8.5:1--9:1?) I am using stock pistons as i just want to get this thing up and driving reliably. What is a very safe mill measurement for this head and what type of compression bump will it give me. What additional horsepower to expect?
3. I couldn't find the head gasket thickness for this engine. Does anyone know what thickness this engine may have had?
4. If I mill the head, will I have to change the pushrods?
5. Any other tips for this cylinder head rebuild? Thanks to all in advance.

port & polish high flow valves