need help with big block heads
 

I have a 67 Camaro with a 454, engine came out of a 79 C10 truck and still has the truck heads on it. I need some advice on what would be a good set of heads to put back on. Anybody have any good Chevy big block heads for sale?

454
11:1 forged dome top pistons
292 cam lift is either a 530 or 630 can't remeber
750 speed demon card
373 rearend
1.7 roller rocker arms

I've got a 781's for mine...781 or 049 seem to be the best stock
oval ports if you upgrade them to 2.19/1.88 valves. Based
on my research, these are the best bang for the buck street heads.

Although if you have to buy them, then pay for the machine work, you
start to get close to the price of aftermarket iron heads. THEN, if you're
going to lay out that kind of cash, why not just go aluminum? :D

At least this is the debate I'm having with myself right now...

Anyway, for big block info you should really check out the
Performance forum at [url]www.chevelles.com. Tons and tons of info.

Hope this helps,
Jason

Do you know anything about the 045 heads - late model - will they bolt on to an older block - do you know the valve sizes?
Thanks for your help

I have a set of GM Performance Parts Aluminum Oval Ports for Sale. They are Brand New on a ZZ502 Crate Engine that has never been run other than the factory test. I'll sell the heads complete with rocker arms and the Intake Manifold for 1595.00. You can go to the following link to see what they are:

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/281/...inder-Head.htm

If your interested PM me or send me an email: [email protected].

What is the full casting. A GEN 5 and 6 Head if that is what you have you do NOT want to put it on a 4 block the water passage is so large it is in the lifter galley

these are the numbers on the heads
10114156 GM5 A045 CFO 158 & 156
the heads are 91-up oval open chamber gen V&VI 118cc chamber
That listing is from a reference web site

I would not put those on a gen 4 block they will leak water into the valley area, They are also a net valve lash head you can put a bastard screw in stud in, but are not very strong. If you are doing a budget build on a mild motor, find some gen 4 heads if you need to the cheapest place is CP in WI you can get stainless valves springs locks retainers and seals for about $160.00 for bbc in small or big valve combo.

Good advise, these heads can make great power-
they are usually found on 73-74 truck 454-lots of them out there-Chris

Gen 6 heads fit the 4 block. gen 5 was the odd-ball.

I'd snap up the offer for the GMPP ovals with intake. That's a smoking deal.

Gen 5 and 6 heads are the same, the diff between a gen 5 is a non roller engine in 96 the engine was changed to a roller engine with raised lifter bores and noted by a composite 6 bolt cover the heads are the same casting number the crank rods pistons are as well, both 5 and 6 are priority main oiling gen 5 and 6 use the same head gasket 4 does not If it is any need I can snap some pics of 5 and 6 heads I have about 45 take off sets, do your research its your money. That is based on production gm iron heads, If you take the gm performance aluminum heads the new ones they will work on all blocks except gen 7 8.1 series, those heads as all ne aftermarket alum bbc heads have small water passages but added material to seal the block on 5 and 6 motors if using them use the correct head gasket.

Thanks for all the help - this is my first big block to build and I'm finding out that they are alot more expensive and harder to find parts for around here (West TN). Is it true that I'll need a 119cc combustion chamber since I am running the 11:1 dome top pistons - to have enough clearance so the valves and pistons don't hit? Which BB heads were better - the oval or the rectangle ports? I really appreciate everyones help - I'm trying to get a grasp on all the BB Head info. I would love to buy a new set of aluminum heads - but I have a baby due in Feb and a couple other car projects going, so I'm tryin to watch my funds, especially since this is not a car I'm going to sell.

By the sound of the engine your building I really dont think your going to have a valve to piston issue but you need to watch dome style with a closed chamber head, can have some contact if wrong, send me your piston number and I can tell you, A bbc is very easy to get power out of for a street car you dont need much to get 500hp out of them and can be done with minimal costs, good luck with your project and a HUGE congrats on the new one.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/faq/kbhowto.asp?mt_node=360
Some interesting reading for you.

The blocks might take the same gasket but the water holes in the gen 6 deck are smaller, and thus the mark 4 heads work.

Sounds like I need to recall about 2300 engines Literally and go back so school :( I think the question was will a 5 or 6 head work on a 4 block?? not a 4 head working on a 6 block.... I might be wrong but I thought that was the question...... :wow: I am not trying to get a flame war going on Im trying to help a person with a project with known facts and also years of every day experience building gen 5 and 6 engines

No flame war. I just was confused by what you said about the gen 6 block so I did some more digging. My point is that there are more differences between the gen 5 and 6 than what you listed. The biggest is the change in the deck, it looks nothing like the gen 5, and takes mark 4 heads.

My experience is that the problem is 4 heads on a 5 block, I think the other way, 5 or 6 heads on a 4 block has never come up as most of the late heads are junk. The heads I recommended, the ZZ 502 heads, are of the universal design you mentioned. I have a set of these bolted onto a 1970 454 with no coolant leaks.

I too am just trying to help out. If the guy who asked the question has a 79 vintage block, the ZZ502 heads with their 110CC chambers, universal deck, and large oval port design are an excellent choice, and at the price offered with matching manifold by the other guy, are a smoking deal.

The SD catalog you quoted is not all that correct as well the only 6 block with a fuel pump boss is the over the counter replacement service block that is why the water passages are smaller and fuel pump boss added gm made a block to sevice all the engines with that one. The production gen 5 and 6 454 vortech engines in trucks from 1991 to today in the 8.1 have not had a fuel pump boss the only ones I have with them are service replacements. the aftermarket industry has made added deck surface to the heads with a small water passage to fit 4 5 6 blocks the new gen alum heads from gm performance are just Edelbrocks with gmperformace on them. Good question who is the largest purchaser of engines from GM I might post that its a good question

The 99 burb 454 I have in the garage has the smaller coolant holes, no fuel pump boss.

The largest customer of GM engines is likely Mercury Marine.

correct mercury marine