Compatible LT1 heads
 

Hi,

Last year i let a private mechanic fix my Pontiac Firebird/TA -1995, he was to do the 10.000 mile service since the head gasket was leaking coolant into the cylinders. Without my approval he also ported the Head's. Resulting in him breaking the barrier between the intake and the exhaust. I now, learning from my mistakes turned my car into a GM licensed workshop, that have told me that my heads are worth their weight as paperweight nowdays. So i need to get two new heads. Now these are -EXTREMELY- pricy in sweden, however i have a american friend nice enough to proxy some from the states. However there seems to be tons of different heads available for the LT1, and not many know wich would be compatible with my engine.

My engine is the LT1 manu'd between 1994 and 1997, its a 5.7 liter, and the current heads have the casting nr: 10168448.

Since most places we've called in the states can't even find the casting nr 448, this seems to be a rare head? Does anyone know what other casting numbers are compatible with my engine block? without sensors going haywire etc, im not looking for added performance, just something that will work without problems :) if you also know where i could buy some refurbished ones it would be a huge help to me.

Best regards //max

If you are buying a set of heads (2) it doesn't matter what casting number the head is. All LT1 heads are compatible with your block and intake. The castings only have very slight differences in thickness etc. With your 95 you would have had the earlier thicker castings which were better for porting.

Since porting doesn't matter buy any set of heads for an LT1. If I were in your place I would just buy a set of used heads and put new guides/seals in.

Is that the casting number that appears in the rocker arm area of the head? It's my understanding that there are only 3 aluminum castings of LT1 heads (although I may be wrong) ending in 643, 561, and 374. What he said though, any casting will work if you are just looking for a stock replacement set of heads. They can typically be found used on this board for about $150 - $250.

Excellent, so before i purchase something i can't use, in other words i can purchase these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEV-...ayphotohosting

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rebui...spagenameZWDVW

Really appreciate the help :)

Sadly i have no idea =/ it was the mechanic at the GM workshop who told me that casting number was what i needed to find a pair of new ones.

Don't know where you came up with those numbers. But there are NO special LT1 heads that I am aware of.
I as see it you have a couple of options. Do what "tireburnin" said and get used heads, or buy a set of new heads.
I personally would get new "bare" GM factory heads, and swap all your parts onto them. (valves, springs, etc.) Should run in the upper $500.00 to low $600.00 EACH. $1200.00 a pair.
Any aftermarket heads will be more in the range of +$2,000.00 a pair.

Either of these will work just fine.
http://ads.shoppingads.com/pagead/li...spagenameZWDVW
I like these.

Just out of curiosity, howcome you chose those over the other one?

In sweden we usually prefer to buy stuff from companies since purchasing from a "private person" will usually end up in you getting screwd =(

All these heads are recognized by NHRA as legitimate for Stock Eliminator use. There may be a few others. Since they are aluminum and don't fit on GM models other than the LT1 you could be assured of getting a pair that will work for you.

10205245,10128374,14088526,10207643,12551561,10207 640

Maybe i'm missing something, but can't anyone in sweden weld aluminum?

this moron that tried to port the heads barely left -anything- left. he milled away just about everything until he milled through, and then used er.. dono the name for it but "iron chewing gum"(expoxy putty?).

A simple google search shows that to be the PART number not the casting number.

As others said, any aluminum LT1 heads will work. You can get used heads for $150-200 a pair off most internet forums.

Depending on what part of the US he is in I'd have your American friend take them in for a cleanup before sending them to you, since labor rates in most of the US should be far cheaper than where you are.

Since shipping and duties will cost more than the stock heads themselves, I'd think about going ahead and getting a ported set from one of the cheaper porters, so you are at least getting something worth your shipping dollars, er, euros.

They don't use Euros in Sweeden...or Norway....or Denmark....