MTFCA Forum

Just purchased a 8 valve Roof head. Don't know anything about the history. It appears that the head has been reconditioned. The valves are new as well as the springs. Rockers are reconditioned as well.

I am looking for pushrods and a correct head gasket. As I know little or nothing about the Roof, I would appreciate any help you could provide. Dimensions and photos of the pushrods would be appreciated. A tracing of the head gasket. Also need a 3 port exhaust manifold.

I plan on installing this head on the 1914 Speedster I purchased recently advertised on the AACA classifieds. Ironically it was only 20 miles from my home. When finished it will become a stablemate with my 1915 T roadster powered by my Gallivan dual overhead cam racing engine. Not a bad pair of mates.

thnx,
frontyboy(brasscarguy@comcast.net) text-2h06 919-1949anytime

It uses a regular Fronty or Rajo 8 valve overhead head gasket. Roof made two versions of the 8 valve head and they both use the same generic head gasket.

If a 2 intake port head, check the floor of the combustion chambers for cracks. If a 1 intake port head, check the center exhaust port where it Y’s around the center head bolt for a crack.

There are a lot of heads out there with the wrong rockers installed. Do your rockers have adjusting screws at the pushrod end…? If so, should be easy enough to figure something out. If not, you may need adjustable pushrods.

The factory 2 port Roof exhaust manifold looks identical to a Fronty T/S manifold, except the port bolts “lean” at a different angle. Here is a Roof manifold I bought years ago thinking it was a Fronty, then sold it a couple years before finding my own Roof head to match.
The single port Roof heads have vertical bolt pattern

When my Dad and Grandfather originally put the speedster together they used a header that was swept and flared. I thought it was something built/adapted until I saw a nearly identical one in an original advertisement. I wish I knew what happened to it when the head was changed out for a rajo. Just thought I would mention there may be a different option than what was mentioned if you can find one.

Here is what factory Roof rocker arms and stands look like for the twin intake cylinder head. The single port head had the rocker stands cast into the top of the head and were not removeable.

Wish I knew how to post photos here. My head has 2 intake ports on the top of the head. Also it has removable rocker stands with adjustable rockers. The exhaust side of the head has 2 ports. The intake manifold that came with the head appears to be an original casting and at the carburetor flange it is horizontal as to use a stock T carb.

This head appears to be reconditioned and is painted bright orange. If someone here may have known or owned it step up and tell me the history.
thnx

frontyboy.

Uhhhhh… 2 ports on top…? Think it’s time for pics. Here is a shot of a 2 port Roof head. Yours the same…?

Kevin,

can you call me I can't get the photos to go. I'm really confused as to what head I have.

thnx

frontyboy 2ho6-919-1949(seattle)

Pics of the cylinder head in question;
The rocker stanchions have “R. R. MFG” cast into them which is typical for Roof. Head bolt layout and exhaust side of head suggest Chevy/Olds 4 based design tho. Have you tried to bolt to a T block yet…?

Roof Chevy heads had the intake ports on top of the head

Chevy Roof converted to OHC, intake ports on top of head, Model M Winfield converted to downdraft