ProBeast

I have a set of heads on the smallblock I'm currently restoring that I have no idea if they're junk or top notch. The casting number is 462624 and they have the small right-pointing triangle on the short side.
So far I've found out that they have 1.94/1.50 valves and the chambers are 76 cc. This type of head was presumably produced either between 75-85 or 79-85 (seems to be some doubt there).
My final aim with my tune-up project is 400 hp and around 350-360 lb-ft torque to go with that. Are these heads gonna stand up to this?

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1979 Berlinetta - turning into a Z-28 clone
http://www.bilgalleri.dk/html/gal_visbil.asp?ID=561
http://www.chevy-camaro.dk

P.S. Yes the rearspoiler is going to go!

Dirt Reynolds

What you have there are light-weight #882 castings. Availability was between 1976-'85 in passenger cars. The #624's were identical to the #882 except they are lighter and more crack prone.

I'd suggest the Vortec heads. 400+HP capability with ease, unported. GM's best steel head and economically priced. Those old emmission-era heads really are not worth putting any time or effort into with the advent of budget 'super' heads such as the Vortecs. I run ported Vortecs with the stock valves (1.94/1.50, and the are back-cut from the factory) on my 413" (.060" over 400), this combo makes so much torque down low and in the midrange its insane. It feels like a built 454 under the hood.

Dave

ProBeast

I know the Vortec heads and I've heard a lot of good about them, but I also know that they don't fit the standard intake manifolds boltholes (8 holes contra the more common 12 holes).
I'm aware that I can buy another intake that fits, but I would rather keep my Edelbrock Performer intake and spend the money on some "standard" heads like Sportsman II which flows quite similar to the Vortec heads.

Arrrrr I don't know, I really would like to get the Vortec heads

_______________________________
1979 Berlinetta - turning into a Z-28 clone
http://www.bilgalleri.dk/html/gal_visbil.asp?ID=561
http://www.chevy-camaro.dk
P.S. Yes the rearspoiler is going to go!

drasgear

Another good head at a decent price is from World Products. They used to be a division of Dart. Essentially what they are is an iron casting of a dart head. I built a 406 small block about a year ago for a friends 73 camaro. Nothing fancy. Stock crank and 350 rods (arp bolt kit for the rods and mains), World products heads, and the edelbrock performer RPM cam, intake, and 650 cfm carb. The heads came highly recommended from the guy who did the machine work on the engine. Never had it dynoed, but it ran 12.60's the first time out on bf street tires at a show and go. Slicks has put it into the 12.1x's. I did one other 406 almost exactly the same except with GM Fastburns, and it isn't even comparable.

JEDCamino

If you can afford to, get some World or Dart heads (either can be had for well under $1000). I've got 882s on my car. They are basically stock, but with a pocket porting and simple 3-angle valve job, stock valves. I'd say you would make 400 hp alot easier with some more modern heads. I know I really need some different heads.

DarthIROC

Yea they heads are useless they will crack very easily. If you want to use OEM heads look for some 487 or 993 casts. They are a better, heavier cast and can be found easily and cheaply.

Dirt Reynolds

Drasgear - those are some impressive times on that 406. The one thing keep in mind though, is the Fast Burn is a bigger head than the Sportsman (210cc int. runner volume vs. 200cc for the World), so it needs more compression, cam and RPM to work where it was designed. The Fast Burns can make a lot of power. There's a guy running in IHRA Stock Eliminator that makes 490HP with the out of the box Fastburns, stock-lift cam, and stamped-steel rockers on a 350 engine.

In any case, you've built some nice working engines there by the sounds of things.



Dave

HeavyChevySS

How is that possible? (490HP out of a 350)

The only way I have scene a 350 with that much power is with really high compression and good cam .
or a power adder.

Dirt Reynolds

In a word - Fastburns.

That, and a long-duration stock-eliminator type fast ramp cam and blueprinted engine (which usually means the compression can be raised a notch).

Dave

TheNovaMan

Hi guys. While we're talking about heads anyway, I thought I'd jump in the mix. I've got a .040 over 350 with unported 487X heads (not sure on the valve sizes). Cam is SUM-1107. I have headers, a 3500rpm converter on a TH350, and 4.10 gears. Oh, and an Edelbrock C-26 dual quad manifold with two Edelbrock 600cfm carbs. I have two questions:

1. Do you think the pair of ported 041 heads (1.94/1.50 valves) I have in my basement would be a good swap? They ought to bump the compression from a miserable 8.5:1 to about 10:1.

2. If I shift at 6500 rpm, what spring pressure should I run on the seat? Summit recommends Crane 99838s , which have 110# on the seat. I have a set of K-Motion K-700s that I am going to put on, and I can go higher than 115#. Should I? Cuz valve float sucks!

Dirt Reynolds

Your #487 heads are 76cc chamber heads, and actually aren't too bad a head. The 041's are off the 1969 300HP/350 engines and are a better head, smaller 64 cc chamber. The only potential downsides of the 041 appear to be the spring pocket is very close to the water jacket. This is an issue only if you need a bigger diameter spring, and consequently need the pockets cut to fit them.

That link doesn't say what the duration @ 0.050" is, so you'll have to take a look at your cam card and post this info. My guess is its around 224/234 @.050", which is a bit too much for your current compression ratio. Stick the 041's on there and it should make a bit more power and have crisper throttle response. The Summit springs look fine to me for one of their 'house' brand hyd. flat tappet cams. Their cams are of the slower ramp variety so you don't need a lot of spring pressure on the seat or over the nose. I would use the specific springs they recommend for their individual cams.

TheNovaMan

Pretty close; 234°/244° duration at .050. I got the K-700s new in box from a freind who decided to get a new motor instead of putting the valvesprings on to go with his cam swap. They're 1.265" diameter, so hopefully the heads won't require machining. They have almost the same specs as the Crane springs, so I'm not too worried about that.

ProBeast

I'm now looking at either the Vortec heads or the Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminium heads for my 350. I currently have an Edelbrock Performer intake, so even though the Edelbrock heads are more expensive I don't have to buy a new intake like I would have to if I went with the Vortec heads.
What are the pros and cons? How good are the chambers on the Edelbrocks?

Please help me choose

TheNovaMan

If you're on a budget, have you considered TFS aluminum heads? 64cc chambers, 2.02"/1.60" valves, 0.520" lift springs (1.26" diameter), fully assembled for under $1000.

Or if you want to treat yourself, how about a pair of AFR 195s? Fully assembled they'll set you back $1275, but they're wickedly good heads.

Greed4Speed

If that is a regular Performer and not a Performer RPM you need to get a better manifold anyway if you are planning on making 400hp.