need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

I have an as is goodwrench 350, Im not sure of the power output, but I know I would like to put some more pep in her step. I dont have a real idea of what I want. But then I found a local listing for:

Vortech chevy heads 12558062
Screw in studs
Dual springs moly retainers 10* locks
Self align rockers and*
adjusters
Center bolt aluminum*
valve covers
Lunati Voo Doo hydraulic cam p/n 60105 with lifters
Edelbrock aluminum intake for the vortech heads

I know the cam is wildly to big for the proposed setup. But I am morw interested in the other parts and sell the large cam and find a more appropriate one.

the old girl is a 69 c10 longbed. Rebuilt original 350 trans. Stock rear end, whatever gears it is. And was my daily driver but now just on weekends for fun.

so the question is.... should I take advantage of this listing or should I find another route to go? I have never attempted a head or cam swap but I have always wanted to learn!
thanks for any feed back!!!

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

If it is the standard Goodwrench 350 then it should have 260 horsepower with 4 barrel and headers. They also make a 290 horse version. The Vortec heads will bolt right up and will raise your compression ratio about a point. You would be in the 9.5:1 range. Maybe change to a Comp Cams 268H cam. Very well rounded street cam that you can still use your stock converter with or you can bump up to a 270h before you have to upgrade your torque converter. Wouldn't hurt to match the springs to the new cam as well.

This is all my opinion of what I would do if it were mine. It isn't hard to do a cam/head swap. Just take you time and check and double check everything.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

Along with the vortec heads bumping your compression ratio up a little, the flow characteristics fo the vortec head design is one of the best you can find in a street engine. This combination can easily change that 260 horse engine into a good solid one that would be hard to beat. With the right cam and exhaust, you could easily have a 350 to 375 HP performer.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

My crate motor is a pretty basic 350, .030" over, flat top pistons, 9.5:1 compression ratio, with Vortec heads. 600cfm 4 barrel and headers it made 382 HP and 402 TQ on the engine dyno. Runs real strong in the truck, not sure I would want much more with stock suspension on the street.

Choose a decent cam for the heads and you should be in really good shape.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

What questions should I be asking the seller?

Thanks AGAIN!

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

Lattimer which intake and cam did you use?
Thanks
Ron

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

You need to ask if the heads are duel pattern for the intake bolts so you can use old school intake or have to buy new style for vortech only.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

You will not regret the vortec head swap. The heads won't be dual pattern being 062's, they are regular production heads [not that there is anything wrong with that] the Vortecs will give just about any small block 40 horsepower over the other heads and just about every magazine except better homes and fast fords have proven that. The Comp Cams 268H cam would be a great choice for your good wrench motor I have run a bunch of them and never been unhappy with them and with the vortecs even better. Jim

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

They both came with the motor. Intake is an aluminum Edelbrock performer knock off.

Cam specs
Hydraulic Flat Tappet
Duration @ .050'' Lift: 224 Intake / 230 Exhaust
Lift: .480'' Intake / .486'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation: 110°

Its got a decent lope but still makes 14" vacuum at idle. Supposedly ok for 1800-2200 RPM stall converter, but I run a manual so didn't worry about that.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

First question-----are they rebuilt, and if so who did it and what paperwork exists?

If they are not rebuilt, thats fine as long as the price reflects it. Just expect to have to do a full rebuild on them.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

I have a newly rebuilt set of 062 Vortec heads that are sitting and waiting while I'm itching to do a motor.
Likely, they'll go on something like a Goodwrench before the 383 gets built. When they do (go on the Goodwrench),
I'm going for the 268H cam.

I had the heads...or, I should say, my buddy had them. I had new springs, valves and pocket porting done to them.
When I took them to the machine shop, I left the 195 intakes and moved up to 160 exhaust.

With me taking in the raw heads with the old stuff still attached (valves, springs, rockers), I'm in 'em about $575.

Still have to get an intake manifold. And, I'm not sure my 625cfm carb will be up to the task.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

Actually, I think "Better Homes" did an article on vortec heads ;)

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

Thanks for the info and the cam recommendation. I am in touch with the seller and getting some information. The asking price is $650. But how do I visually determine the condition of the heads and if they need to be gone through?

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

Also, I have heard of some using the xe grinds? Is that something to consider?

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

You might also want to try and find a set of L98 Corvette heads. These aluminum heads were on the 86-91 TPI Corvettes. They are far more standard than the vortech heads and feature 58cc combustion chambers which gives you a bump on compression. I have a set on my Corvette and have been very happy with them. I had a machine shop do some work and clean them up.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

I traded out my L98 heads off of a 90 corvette engine for a set of vortech heads. The flow characteristics of the aluminum L98 is restrictive, it cuts horsepower off at a plateau around 4000 RPM. The head is great for the low end, but cuts you off way too soon. The Vortech head design will run the curve on up and give you some serious flow through them. The Vortech design will out do most Dart head designs on flow and horsepower capabilities and for the most part is quite easy to find. Just my $.02.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

No argument on the stock L98 heads. I ended up having mine ported and polished up to increase the flow. I have an larger mechanical cal in the Corvette and needed the compression more than anything to help bring up the power. Nothing worse than putting to big a cam on motor without enough compression - just bleeds everything off at the low end.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

So... the heads are set up for the voodoo cam. Would this mean that the smaller comp cam would need less spring?

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

Like I said before, I would match the springs to the cam so you know that the parts are going to work together. See if he will just sell the heads alone. If you don't want that cam there is no point in you having to try and sell it. I have never had much luck selling used cams.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

I'll third that. See this from Scoggin-Dickey where they got 50HP over stock L98 heads with changing to Vortecs. I have 2 sets of the L98 heads on TPI engines. If they ever die, I'm going Vortec.

https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...-center/sd3816

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

Speaking of parts, anyone like any particular intake manifold that takes an earlier block 350 (carbed....set up for stock
boat-anchor heads........ which I'm running now) to the re-machined and freshened up 062 Vortec heads I have
all ready to switch out?

I think the Edlebrock intake manifold is a #2116...But I can't remember the number for sure.

It would be really great not to spend big dough...Or to get a nice polished one for less that someone with experience
can say, "....go for this one".

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

I am doing the exact same thing you are doing. I have a base GM crate 350 that is fine, but just needs a little more oomph. I bought a newly rebuilt set of vortecs from a local machine shop for $300 and a lunati 60102 cam kit. The machinist was nice enough to remove and replace the springs and retainers to include machining the bosses down for .500 lift at no additional charge. I bought the Eddy EPS vortec intake also. I plan to get this stuff installed by the first of July. I am hoping it gives me the performance I'm looking for. Good luck to you :) If you were closer I'd refer to the machine shop I used for a good price on heads.

Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

I know this thread is old, but you can buy cast Iron Vortec heads for under $700.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Perf...49896/10002/-1

I think i would do that instead of buying used, unless it's a smokin deal.
(I would prefer not to rebuild the heads)

I buy vortecs freshly rebuilt from a machine shop here for $200 a set. They are well worth it.
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Re: need advice on vortec heads on goodwrench!
 

Hmmmm.

San Francisco....$700

Tulsa................$200

Sounds about right!

For $200 rebuilt heads, shipping would be well worth it.