cylinder head and intake manifold codes

[buckspet]

So my son buys a beautiful 78 spider, partly due to my owning a 73 way back in the day. So I get the bug and buy a 79 . From back in the day 30 years ago I collected lots of parts. I have 2 complete engines a 1400 and 1600 versions. I also have 2 complete cylinder head/cam/boxes etc. and a intake manifold i'm hoping is a 1800 single plain.My question is how to Id these parts..and what cylinder heads can go on my 79 2 liter? I also have a FI exhaust manifold, is this a better option than the original 79 exhaust manifold..I wish to inexpensively mix and match parts for more power. How much can be safly milled from a cylinder head that is being put on a 2liter carb'd engine...The cylinder heads have quite a few casting numbers and markings on them whats needed to Id them...Thanks to all who are willing to answer these age old questions

[opus10583]

Hi,

Here's a start for the heads:

http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/headid/headid.html

I've never seen anything similar for the manifolds... Single Plane - good, dual plane - less good.

Ciao,
Mark

[narfire]

I believe a FI or 1800 head is a better option then the original 79 head. Single plane intake for sure with an upgraded carb...32/26, 34 DMSA if you can find one or a 34 ADF gives a great boost in power.
A 4-2-1 exhaust works just fine . If the engine is out or you have the tranny out, consider taking a few pounds off the fly wheel as well.
As for the max one can shave off a head....I was told years ago that about 30 thou was max. Perhaps the experts here can comment on that. I had 15 thou taken off and no issues with the valve seats.

[buckspet]

Thanks for the reply. .after reading art's lengthy article, it appears the 2L FI. Head breaths better than the 79 2L. Head..so now I need to know the max amount that can be milled from this FI. Head, then what adjustment needs to be considered due to the milling process. Can any members direct me to a source for this procedure?
AS ALWAYS THIS SITE MEMBERS ARE THE BEST I'VE EVER CAME ACROSS. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR THOSE WILLING TO HELP A SPIDER ADDICT

[bradartigue]

Only mill a head if you absolutely have to - and take off as little as possible to achieve a clean surface. You'll find yourself with problems fitting valves, finding shims, having a loose timing belt. All bad problems. If you want to get more compression then buy a high compression piston set.

A good combination is the 1592 or 1756 head, an 1756 manifold, a 4-2-1 exhaust and a 2000 block. If you don't have a 1756 head use a 2000FI head. The 1592/1756 heads will give you a little bit of a compression boost because the chamber sizes are a little bit smaller.

The original 79 head and manifold are garbage.