Head jobs

[david_moore]

I am looking at getting some new heads for my Corvette. I put the engine together some time ago with the dream of getting some decent heads later. I have wrestled with valve springs, seals and heli coils hold the spark plugs in. They leak and the motor puffs smoke occasionaly. I'm sick of 'em, I'm pretty sure the came of an Impala, so they are pretty basic stuff. The bottom end of the motor was built pretty tuff, flat top pistons at .030". I've fit a Cam Dynamics camshaft, part # 975848, it has a duration of 214 degrees (intake)and 224 degrees (exhaust) at .050". It is nothing wild, but begs for some better heads. I have my eye on some Vortec Heads which are reasonably priced, What does everyone think? :b2

[Brutus]

Dave...Start with this article and then go to the side bars at the bottom of the page. That should give you a bit of bed time reading for a while.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/41598/index.html
Hope this helps a little

[david_moore]

Thanks Brutus,
I'll check it out for sure, but right now the Super boiks are on telly. I know, I'll turn the telly up real loud, that way I can hear whats happening from the computer room!! :22

[Brutus]

Dave...Are you gonna hang around for the F1s later on? Pity about Webber's 17th place on the grid tho. He was blaming Villeneuve for laying dirt over the track. Bloody typical of that wanker....not Webber.

[david_moore]

Gotta get up at five tomorrow, F1 is a bit too late for me, I'll probably set the video on auto Tho. Weber has been doing quite well, pity they can't build cars better than the Italians! Mind you Honda is on top in the Moto GP, The Italians can't win everything (I Hope!!!).

[Brutus]

Webber can blame his pits for stuffing up a better finish placing for him this time with that illegal manoeuvre they pulled at the start.

[jdunne]

David,if you are looking seriously at Vortec heads don't forget you need a vortec style intake...the others wont fit...and usually different rocker covers....most vortec heads have a different bolt pattern.....also make sure that the exhaust port matches your exhaust system,the height of the port can be different.....i think.......john:o:an

[david_moore]

Very good point John, the nice man at the shop assures me the exhaust ports are the same as the standard heads, but, we all know what "the nice man at the shop" is like! I sure have been stung before!! I am a lot more carefull these days before parting with cash. I have a set of extractors I use to hang extension leads off in my garage that the only way you would fit them is with a hammer! And nothing smaller than a lump!!! I often think one day I'll return them through their nice glazed front windows! The "nice man" also assures me the Vortec inlet manifold is as good as an Edelbrock Performer. I just don't know about that either, I'm back to getting aluminium heads, altho more expensive, I think it is the way to go. Any dyno action in the near future?  ;29

[Brutus]

Dave...I figured on Alloy heads too when I finally made the decision to get some. I may have gone overboard, but once they're on the donk that'll all be forgotten.

[david_moore]

Overboard? nuthin' , they'll be the bees knees!! :20 I'm now thinking either Trickflow or Edelbrock. The site you put me onto at chevyhiperformance is real good too. When are you going to build up your engine? Will it be a stroker? ;28

[Brutus]

Yeah. I keep wondering which way I'll go with the motor, but when it's all said and done I'll probably hav to go with a stroker. I won't be happy without at least 300 RWHP so I might as well bite the bullet and go with stroke.
Of course that will mean selling most of the bits and pieces I've gathered over the years when I only expected to do a 30 thou over rebuild. Know anyone who wants some nifty US engine bits? Ya can't have my AFR alloy heads tho....I'm keeping them!:b2

[david_moore]

When I was in Canberra I was asking a lot of questions regarding the inlet porting of different heads. I knew nothing then but I'm now a little more up to speed. Standard heads have around the 160-170cc inlet ports, hot 350s about 180-190cc and strokers... well 200+cc..... I could be lying!!!! hehehehe.                I'm looking for a nice set of heads for mine, and what else have you got? ;laugh:22;laugh

[Brutus]

Originally posted by david_moore
what else have you got? ;laugh:22;laugh

Just about everything needed for a complete engine hot up. AFR 180 heads (keeping them), Comp Cams XE 262 cam and followers, Hyperutectic pistons (30 thou over), all bearings, rings and gaskets. Performer intake (new and polished). Roller tipped rockers, Accell coil, hardened tipped pushrods.....just about everything.  
Decision, decisions.

[david_moore]

It all sounds so good!!! Get that stroker crank and we'll be in business!!! A new block aint to expensive either, about $1200, I think. :20

[Brutus]

Already got an old block that's well seasoned and ready to be bored......come to think of  I knew a woman like that once.....or was it twice?:b2;27:b2