This may be a really stupid question, but Summit says that these heads are machined for 1.25" springs, would 1.45" springs fit or no? thanks for any help

 

I dont know if mine were cut for larger springs or what because I got them used, but I measured, and my spring pockets are 1.55 if I recal correctly.

Ben

 

whatever they're machined for you can't use a larger spring, however you can use a smaller spring. getting the spring seats opened up is fairly cheap and easy to do

 

All the Sportsman II I've seen are machined with a dual stepped valve spring seat. They will fit either spring diameter.

Order the heads with the spring you need.

the Sportsman II head has been on the market for quite a while.
it was the first economical aftermarket cast iron racing head available. It is a good head casting. The out of the box flow is modest compared to other more resent stuff available now.
The Sportsman II head really needs to be ported to get the best out of it.

A Protopline Iron lightning head or a Dart Iron Eagle head will out perform it. They flow a lot better out of the box.

Not that a Sportsman head is a bad head, just that some basic porting should be part of your plan. The as cast valve guide boss in the port pocket is quite big.

 

So will these heads really only be great with a cam that has huge lift and top end? im really looking more for a flat torque curve. what heads would you suggest. i did a lot of reading on heads last night and now im just more confused. thanks!!

 

Yes, Sportsmans are really made for more of a top end motor. You might look into something like the world products sr torqers or vortecs or something like that.

Ben