The chamber size is what kills the 194 head, it was designed for the 194 engine with a 3.312" bore size only, not the 3.875" or larger bore of the 230, 250 or 292's. Anything chamber size below 64cc begins to hurt flow and performance in these engines, and that is a proven fact. Since the stock 194 chamber size is already well below 64cc, it shouldn't even be a consideration for anyone looking for an upgrade, it actually is a downgrade because of its very shrouded chamber design around the valves. Putting larger valves into the head only makes it more shrouded and even less effecient. And with only a 1/2 a compression point gain, it is of no benefit to go to the expense to swap it. Even if you milled an open chamber head and gained a 1/2 a point in compression, you would never see or feel any gain. So many people have a misconception about compression and think you will get crazy gains by even the slightest increase, when you really don't. This myth is probably a carry over from some SBC guys who think the 461 V8 head was such a powerhouse even with 21st century cylinder clearly proving otherwise. Sure if you gained 3 or 4 points in compression you will see an increase, but you will never see a 1/2 of a point do anything but make your wallet lighter. An engine with 8-1 compression with proper quench in the chamber and piston deck height will give you a better engine than one with a poor quench and shrouded cylinder headed engine with 9-1/2-1 compression.
