I have a set of older 516 Heads that have the 1.60 exhaust valve and a set of 452 heads with 1.74 exhaust valve. I want to get as much compression as I can ,so Iam thinking of running the 516s. Should I invest the $$ and change the 1.60 valve to the 1.74 size? or just go with 452 heads and shave the heads?

 

While most people throw out the 516 head I use them a lot , they will make power with some port work & larger exhaust valves & would be my preference over the open chamber 452 castings just because of the closed chamber , I have used 1.81 valves & hard seats in virtually every set of the 516 heads I have built

 

Chryco Psycho
How much difference is there between the 516 and the 518 head's?
You mentioned closed chamber?

 

I think the 518 is a Max wedge head

 

the Max head is NOT streetable. NO exhaust heat to the intake.

 

Big Block Mopar Head Casting Numbers

Casting # Chamber Vol. Intake Valve Exhaust Valve Comments
2406158 73.5cc 2.08 1.6 1967 440
2463200 73.5cc 2.08 1.74 1963 361/383/413/426
2406209 81cc 2.08 1.88 1963 Max zWedge
3751213 2.08 1.74 1973 400/440 motorhome
2402286 81cc 2.08 1.88 1962 413 Max Wedge
2206324 2.08 1.74 1961-67 361/383/413
2268341 1965 426
3462346 79.5cc 2.08 1.74 1971-up 383/440
3462346 81.5cc 2.08 1.74 1972-73 400/440
4006452 81.5cc 2.08 1.74 1976-78 400/440
3614476 86+cc 2.08 1.74 Stage 4
1851509 73.5cc 2.08 1.6 1959 361/383/413 HP
2406516 73.5cc 2.08 1.6 1964-67 361/383/413/425 300L
2406518 86cc 2.08 1.88 1964 Max Wedge
2408520 73.5cc 2.08 1.6 1964 late 300K with ram intake
2128521 73.5cc 2.08 1.6 1960 361/383/413 300F
2128522 73.5cc 1.94 1.6 1960-61 361/383
1851524 1958-71 350-413 Truck
2264547 1960-71 413, 361 Truck
2402557 73.5cc 2.08 1.74 1963 300J & early 300K
2202594 1958-71 Truck
1737622 73.5cc 1.94 1.6 1958-60 350/361/383
1737635 73.5cc 1.94 1.6 1958 350/361
2466676 1971-77 413, 361 Truck and Maring
1844705 73.5cc 1.94 1.6 1958-59 350/361/383
\1944705 1958 350, 1961 361
1406740 1.94 1.6 1958-59 HD 361 Truck
2406740 1963-68 361, 413 Truck & Marine
2406780 1965-67 383 Truck
2806887 426 Marine & Industrial
2843906 79.5cc 2.08 1.74 1968-71 383/440
2899913 1960-71 413 Truck
2708915 73.5cc 2.08 1.74 1967 440 HP
2206924 73.5cc 2.08 1.74 1961-62 361/383/413, 1961 300G, 1962 413 300-H
2899943 1971-77 413, 361 Truck
3769975 83.1cc 2.08 1.74 1974-75 400/440

 

well given the fact that blocking the heat into the intake is done on almost every engine build especially with the new fuels with a lot of alcohol that evaporates easily & that most cars are never driven in cold weather anymore what would make a Max head not streetable ?

 

shouldn't the 915s be "2780915"?

 

The 1967 440 Head is indeed 2780915.
Std low perf versions of the 915 Head had 2.08 & 1.60 valves, the HP version still had the 2.08" Intake but with the larger 1.74" Exhaust.

The 2406516, or 516 Heads, are a completely different Intake port than the 1967 440 "915" Head, and although both have the closed chamber design, that's where the similiarity ends.
516's were all 2.08 Intake and 1.60" Exhaust from factory,(no 1.74)
The 516's were generally found between 65-1967 on 361/383 low deck Engines.

With minor Intake side Pocket Porting, the 516's can flow enough to support decent power.
The best Exhaust Valve combination, for the "ported" 516 2.08" Intake Valve,
is IMO,
to stay with the 1.74" Exhaust Valve on the 2.08" Intake.

 

i don't know about that.
My brother ran his on the street for years.
closed chambers and all.