Snyder or Thomas head

J

Jonnyenglish

Member
Hi,

Im looking at getting a new higher comp head for my newly bought 30 sport coupe. Il need to get the head shipped to the UK.

I see that Snyders to their own branded head but also sell a Thomas head (which is more expensive) I will spend the extra if its worth it.

What are the differences and which would you rate higher?

Im new to all this, so apologies if its been covered before.

Thanks
 
I am not familiar with the exact heads but be sure to check to see if there is enough room over the pistons if yours pop up over the top of the block. I know this was a problem (please don't ask how I know) with the original Thomas heads. I assume the Snyder head has a recess over the piston like a Model A "Police" head.

Charlie Stephens
 
I have used both heads if you want a head that looks original and gives a little more power the Synder is the go
the Thomas will give even more power has higher compression better chamber shape modern metric spark plugs and as you can see looks like a performance head
the Thomas has very thick deck so can be milled for even higher compression
they are fly cut so piston clearance not a problem
Colin
 
This also depends on which Snyder iron head you are after. Their iron 6:1 head has a better chamber design that was 'flogged' by Bill Stipe.
 
I would choose the Snyder cast iron 6:1 head . The Thomas aluminum head may give more power but aluminum has a different expansion rate than cast iron and will sooner or later give more gasket problems. Also aluminum has a tendency to stick to the steel head studs because of disimilar metal reaction. This can be a problem when the head needs to be removed . It may look cool but I always avoid aluminum parts when I have a choice . Aluminum doesn't hold up as well as cast iron .
 
Well I guess I was heading towards the Thomas.....but very valid point by Purdy Swoft...still open to any other experiences or views though.
 
I guess that depends on your intentions. Both Snyder heads look stock, the Thomas definitely has a hot-rod look to it. In addition to the aluminum problems Purdy listed above, you will probably need to run a magnesium sacrificial anode or at least use an OAT antifreeze.
 
I do like the look of the non standard head (although would choose performance over looks)....Seems there is more choice than I first thought, now I see there is Lion and Winfield, although just searched about the Lion and maybe we shouldnt go there again unless anyone has real positives??
Educate me!
 
Heads with compression that is very much over 6:1 won't have mild manners for street use and drivability in general. In other words , if you don't use a distributor with automatic advance you will need to keep one hand on the spark lever quite a bit to avoid timing knocks and bucking & lugging.

The Lion head is the heaviest built with machined combustion chambers . The Lion head has been reported to give less problems with gasket failure in the center on a recent head gasket thread here. I don't think that the weight of the Lion head would be a problem. I feel that the extra weight of the head will just add strength and durability. A new cast iron Winfield head may soon be available .
 
Jonnyenglish said:
I do like the look of the non standard head (although would choose performance over looks)....Seems there is more choice than I first thought, now I see there is Lion and Winfield, although just searched about the Lion and maybe we shouldnt go there again unless anyone has real positives??
Educate me!
Click to expand...

Hey Jonny,
Most of the comments that you refer to about the lion head are IMO, from people repeating gossip and NOT from personal use / experience. If you get a chance to buy a Lion Speed Head 111, I'd go with that. It is HEAVY cast iron and makes good power at 7:1 and has real thick deck for further strength/milling if you wish. I let mine go and now wish that I hadn't.

As said, the Thomas head is aluminum, but that shouldn't stop your using it. It is a WELL built head and the guys that I know that run that head all say good about the power that it makes. Like you've discovered...there is a great choice of heads out there. And, if you do not know, a member here TOD, is in the process of making an IRON Winfield with best head design placement that he can determine. Contact Tod here at the Fordbarn. He will make various comp ratios, to make all happy. Good luck :)
 
Jonny,

Be very careful if you buy the Thomas head. It can be dangerous to your bank account. After the head arrives you will realize that you “need” a “Thomas)” intake manifold to go with it (try to explain that to your wife). The original manifolds were two 2 barrels and that is all I have ever seen. They periodically show up for sale. I have seen a reproduction of the 2 barrel manifold. It appears to be the same as the original except the name “Thomas” appears twice on the flange between the two carburetors instead of once in the center. I have seen a couple of I believe “reproduction” manifolds that were made for three 2 barrels. I doubt they ran very well unless one of them was a fake. Be sure to check for clearance problems with the hood as the manifold had a long gently slope (anyone out there running a “Thomas” manifold?) . Of course you must have Stromberg 81 carbs (a very expensive carb that came on the Ford V8 60). Next you need a side plate. There was never one made originally by Thomas ( you may need to settle for a "no name" one) but I believe Dan Price made one for the Model B engines in the 1980’s and this mold probably went with the mold for the head that was passed down over the years. I have never seen an original or “reproduction” side plate for the Model A. Of course water inlets and outlets need to be cast, polished aluminum. If you have an aluminum fan (and you should anyway) it would look good polished. I wonder if you could get a lower water inlet pipe in stainless (from Aries?) and polish it.

Finally you need to buy several pairs of dark glasses for you and your friends to wear when opening your hood. I took the attached photo at the last LA Roadster Show. I currently have an original “Thomas” head and intake manifold that I intend to run in the future.

Charlie Stephens
 

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Purdy Swoft said:
I would choose the Snyder cast iron 6:1 head . The Thomas aluminum head may give more power but aluminum has a different expansion rate than cast iron and will sooner or later give more gasket problems. Also aluminum has a tendency to stick to the steel head studs because of disimilar metal reaction. This can be a problem when the head needs to be removed . It may look cool but I always avoid aluminum parts when I have a choice . Aluminum doesn't hold up as well as cast iron .
Click to expand...

this has been my experience as well.
 
Ok, well thanks to all the comments, il have a think about which to go for (at this moment really not sure still) and also find out shipping charges and go from there.
 
CarlG said:
??? :confused:
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Just that, during which he initial design stages of this, Bill dyno-tested this head playing with chamber configurations and plug locations to make it better. If I recall correctly, moving the plug location a tad would have yielded even better performance but the decision to retain the 'stock-appearing' location was chosen.
 
What is the price range on the Snyder 6.1 and the Thomas (and also the anticipated Winfield)? Haven't ever looked into buying a high compression head, but now I'm wondering.
 
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