It's great to see all the interest in the the 153/181 L4 engine. I may as well throw in my two cents. I am currently building a 153 for a front engine dragster. It has been an education, and I'm willing to share what I have learned, and will learn. I had the head modified by Mike Kirby at Sissel's Automotive. He did all the good stuff: Lump ports, port and chamber work, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, screw in studs, guide plates, springs, retainers, etc. Mike's work is top shelf, and he is one heck of a nice guy. He is the final word when it comes to head work on the L4/L6 engine series. I highly recommend him. I am working on the short block now. We'll end up with around 12.5/1 compression, and have a custom cam ground to match what we're doing. The object of this whole exercise is to run at our local 1/8 mile strip in brackets, and make some nostalgia and inline events as well. Of course, the main objective is to have fun. I'll post some pics of the head, and give more details later.
