BB Heads

[jacquesdean]

I have 3 numbers


1408045
346236
1409236

What are considered to be the best oval port heads to build,

what are the above casting numbers worth,

Thanks for the input.

[breeh]

Best oval port heads are the 049's and the 781's. I am not familiar with the ones that you posted.

[zyggy72]

Breeh is right, 049's & 781's are the best stock oval port open chamber heads to build for a street or street/strip application. If you find a set of either head you will want to send it to the machine shop to be machine for larger valves, 2.25 intake and 1.90 exhaust. The larger valves combined with some port & polishing will make those heads some of the best cast iron heads you can get. Right now I'm on the porting & polishing stage with the 781's that I have.

The casting numbers you have:

1408045: did not find.

14081045: 78-87 454 open chamber oval ports (generic head, not high preformance)

346236: 75-87 454 open chamber oval port (non-preformance "peanut" port, good for low hp high torque)

1409236: did not find

14092360: 86-88 454 truck open chamber oval port (generic head)

Hope this helps...

[Pont]

How about some closed chamber oval ports? Can they be made to run?

Casting number: 3872702

Sorry for high-jacking the thread.......

Rob

[JimKshortstep4x4]

According to Morton, the 3872702 heads are 65-66 oval port, closed chamber heads for 396,427 with 98 cc chambers. I think that they are a decent enough head but they are no where close to the aluminum aftermarket heads that are available nowdays.

The seats should be changed to hardened seats and with a little work they will work well. If done right you will spend some big bucks on them, though.

The high performance heads in those years were the rectangular heads.

Here is a link to Morton.

Jim

http://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm