VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Will a 1933 Master head work on a 31?

Will a 1933 Master cylinder head work on a 1931 motor? If so what, if anything else, will need to be changed to make it work? Any help would be appreciated.

This has been discussed here some time back. I believe the answer was you need to use the 1933 valves, rocker arms and push rods, and head bolts.

The 1933 Master cylinder head will physically fit on a 1931 cylinder block. The cylinder head gasket is the same 29-33. The 1933 cylinder head is approximately 3/16 inch thicker or higher that the 1929, 1930-31 and 1932 heads. Hence the valves and pushrods are longer for 33 compared to 32 to keep the rocker arm geometry correct. To install a complete head, the head bolts, rocker arms, push rods and side cover would have to be used from a 1933 engine to make a 33 head fit on a 29-32 engine block. This is also noted in the Hollander manual. I would also make sure the head bolts do not bottom out in the block just to be on the safe side. The reason I know this is that I am in the process of rebuilding a 29 cylinder head, a 1933 cylinder head and have a junk 29 and 32 head.

Thanks Gene and Bob. My friend has a 31 and can't find a good head to rebuild. He may decide to go with the 33 head.
Rich James

There should be some offers from time to time in G&D where engine heads to 1931 are available.

I think Grady Cox? would be one of the sellers.

:vcca:

Thanks Solan, I will check with my friend and tell him about Grady. Rich James