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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,465
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Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
I installed a set of L31 Vortec heads on my 1979 3970010 block recently, and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. This engine has some serious punch now. The block is machined .060 over, and a previous owner upgraded to flat top pistons. The block has not been decked, which is a good thing when it comes to keeping the compression ratio at a reasonable level. In case anyone else is considering doing this upgrade, here is a list of the parts I used. I tried to keep the cost down as much as I could.
Here's a little video of it in action. https://youtu.be/dh2woxXvRXE Parts List 10239906 Vortec heads from a 1998 C1500 $140 CL12-242-2 Comp Cams XE268H cam & hydraulic flat tappet lifter set $189 PR7825312-16 BTR pushrods, .025 longer than stock $94 12499224 GM LS1 valve spring set $80 787-16 Comp Cams spring retainers $57 555-513002 Jegs intake manifold $140 (price went up since I bought it) 3/8 temperature sender from member A1971Blazer $45 1590 Comp Cams break in oil $50 2900 Comp Cams timing chain set $35 4605 Comp Cams cam lock plate $5 1003 Felpro head gaskets $80 ES72856 Felpro head bolt sets $38 MS98000T Felpro intake manifold & valve cover gasket set $51 TCS45121 Felpro timing chain cover gasket set $10 TR5/2238 NGK spark plugs $24 82180 Permatex ultra black RTV $6 6039 Mr. Gasket kickdown cable bracket $23 Total $1167 Last edited by pjmoreland; 04-14-2021 at 06:33 PM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Ft Smith, AR
Posts: 565
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Great list of parts.
Just curious, why didn't you opt for the roller cam? |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,465
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 313
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
sounds good!
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,465
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
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#6 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,373
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
My understanding is that a roller cam is best at higher RPM. Anyone use a roller cam for a tow vehicle, which is all about low-RPM torque?
__________________
~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#7 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,484
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Quote:
Also, for the 010 block he would need a retrofit roller cam and lifters, which costs a lot more than flat tappet cam and lifters, or even roller cam and lifters for a 86-up roller cam block.
__________________
Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#8 | |
All about them K’s
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Entrapment
Posts: 6,370
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Quote:
Op, nice work. I bet it runs light years better than it did before. I’ve got a vortec 350 block that I’m building up right now. I’ve got a set of aftermarket aluminum heads for it though. I’ve got 2 sets of good vortec heads sitting on the floor that I need to get built up and stashed in my shop for another day.
__________________
Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 315/75/16's ‘87 IROC-Z all original 50K mile survivor TPI 305 IROC Blue ‘10 Camaro 2SS/RS Aqua Blue Metallic #93 -version 2.0 ![]() |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newton,N.C.
Posts: 317
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Quote:
Today's oils and metal on metal sliding movement don't jive. It is also why the rockers on ls and up are not rockers sliding on a half ball . I know the back and forth on this. but fact is oem's have bean counters that don't spend money unless it is needed. If a flatt tappet and ball type rockers would last and not fail. they still be in use. |
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#10 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,465
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Quote:
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 313
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
what heads were on it before?
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,465
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
1968-76 3998991 307, 350 1.72int 1.5exh 75cc
The intake valves on the Vortec heads are quite a bit bigger at 1.94". Based on the Summit Racing compression ratio calculator, my compression ratio went from 8.68:1 up to 9.77:1 based on a 4.060" bore, 3.480" stroke, .025" deck clearance (measured), .041 head gasket thickness, 6cc piston dome volume (a guess), and 75cc vs. 64cc combustion chamber volume. I was hoping for 9.56:1 for the compression ratio, which would have been the case if the cylinders hadn't been bored out, but it seems to run well on 91 octane. I can't hear any detonation, so hopefully I'll be alright. The carb is running a bit rich at the moment, and I have the timing set kind of low at 8 degrees. I will be playing around with settings over the next few weeks. |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Bowie, MD
Posts: 313
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,962
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Here's how you can run original valve covers:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Speedway-Ce...ss!76028!US!-1 https://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-Valve-C...rd!76028!US!-1 Note that some have a rubber seal that in a machined slot while others use dual gaskets above and below the adapter. I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has used the rubber seal in the machined slot type as to whether there were any leakage issues. I'd "think" they'd be less likely to leak than stock gaskets, but then again, not sure how rigid the adapters are. I have a couple sets of actual GM adapters that I plan to use - found them at an old Chevy dealer near where I grew up - called the lady behind the parts desk, she even knew some of my relatives, and boom, they were in the mail. GM used to make these adapters shortly after the vortec heads came out, but I don't think they still do. From what I could tell they are identical to the ones offered by Speedway. |
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#15 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,465
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newton,N.C.
Posts: 317
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Anyone that does this. a few things before you put them on your short block
1)open up the push rod holes in the head. he push rod will hit the head opening with any lift, and /or 1.6 rockers. 2) beehive springs will get you a little more lift before hitting the guide seal and top of guide. 3) 1.6 full roller rockers. this adds lift without having to have the heads machined, IIRC after .480 lift you are machining the heads. G.M. gets 330 hp out of the 350 with low (by todays standards) lift. |
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#17 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,484
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Quote:
FWIW, in the past I have used GMPP LS6 beehive springs with CompCams #787 retainers and #648 locks installed at 1.750" to work with an additional .050" lift at valve.
__________________
Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#18 |
Mr. Cheyenne
![]() Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Kyle, Texas
Posts: 1,688
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
makes me think I should have went ahead and did that, instead of staying stock. lol
__________________
Richard '72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne *Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 | TH350 | LWB | AC | Buddy Seats Upgrades: Tilt | Front Sway Bar | Radio | Sliding Window | Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails | Full LEDs | Courtesy Lights | Tachometer | Glovebox Lock & Light | Head Light Relays | *Upgraded Fully Super Trim |
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,465
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newton,N.C.
Posts: 317
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
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#21 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Simi, CA
Posts: 495
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
I did a similar build with Vortec heads and a Edlebrock 2116 intake. I used the Eddy 7235 intake gaskets similar to your Mr Gasket 136G. Engine ran like a champ for first couple thousand miles than started idling rough, fouling plugs and smoking out the tailpipes. Changed the gaskets thinking maybe I messed up the install, same results. After searching the web I discovered this was common issue Vortec heads when paper/felt style gaskets are used. Lots of builders recommend steel rubber impregnated gaskets found in the Felpro MS98000T kit so i gave them a try. Problem solved.
So if you start smoking check your intake gaskets.
__________________
Made in America by Americans |
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#22 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,465
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Quote:
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#23 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,484
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Quote:
I've read where it's very important to follow the manifold torqueing procedures.
__________________
Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#24 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Newton,N.C.
Posts: 317
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Quote:
I started with a g.m. crate engine for a 3/4 ton and up. As they are have 4 bolt mains over the 1/2 ton 2 bolt. (2 bolt mains part number ends with a 2, the 4 bolt main crate ends with a 3) . 2021.52 Bought the ram jet roller cam, (172.63) 1.6 roller rockers,(227.95) ls9 beehive springs and comp cams retainers and locks. (112.31) Drilled out the push rod holes , slowly as I did not pull the heads. Edelbrook dual pattern(339.95) you can bolt on a q-jet or a square bore carb) intake . cast alum valve covers (118.95) short water pump (45.00) one piece rubber oil pan gasket (24.94) timing cover gasket (5.56) rubber valve cover gaskets (19.92).melonized distributor gear 45.99) had HEI and The carb rebuild kit and new float for the q-jet was 18.67 and 7.99 Carb studs. 8.95, a tube of rtv for the intake china walls. 7.65, thermostat and gasket 11.54 engine paint 9.23 bolts for water pump 3.12 90's truck flexplate with the newer bolt pattern 65.99 Should have 330-340hp as it is a ramjet long block now. |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Henderson NC
Posts: 975
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Re: Budget Vortec Head Upgrade
Not referring to you personally but I just don't understand this. The center bolt valve covers is an upgrade just like the roller cam and one piece rear seal. Yet people pay extra so they can put the old leaky type valve covers back on. For what? It's only bolts not every other bolt is the same as factory.
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