the 250's were reated anything from 140-155 hp. As for compression pistons come in different dome(top) shapes a dished piston will have less compression then that of a flat top or what is called a POP-up/domed piston.The Ports on the 194 head are the same as 230,250,292 heads The difference is the underside/Compression chamber or Quench area of the head. The lift and duration of anyone givin cam also exfects your compression.Installing a lump kit to your head helps improves the short turn raduis issue the stock head has.By improving this it does increase the air flow of the head. The 194 can give up to a 10-1 compression and with the proper head work can flow as well as any other head ,And you don't have to mill a boat load off it to get the same compression or the use of a pop-up. A flat top piston can give you better performance over a dished piston,But it will not give you more compression with out milling alot off any other head 230,250,292.A pop-up can give you much more compression & performance. But the spark has to pass over the dome,You can also fire slot the domes to help the spark get to the compressed fuel. So if your after a small gain in compression with the stock dished piston, A properly done 194 head can give you just that.
