Best Engine Combo for My Truck

[DreamRyder1963]

It's quickly becoming apparent that for me to do this I will have to do it in stages for financial reasons. Can I do the cam, roller rockers and maybe new valve springs and still use the stock heads?

[slow-1]

Originally Posted by DreamRyder1963

It's quickly becoming apparent that for me to do this I will have to do it in stages for financial reasons. Can I do the cam, roller rockers and maybe new valve springs and still use the stock heads?

I am running the original heads that came on my truck.

I worked with a guy in the mid 80's who had built race engines in the 70's...he did a little porting and polishing on the stock heads and we built a Mustang GT slayer out of it (remember, this was when Mustang GT's had like 200 hp).

I'm sure you can make respectable and usable power with stock heads.

[bbcmudtruck]

With out a doubt you can make some good power with stock heads. I'm currently running a set of ported stockers that absolutely rips for a 350. I didn't build the motor though and have no idea how much the p/o spent on the heads. To get some good power out of stockers, you will need to spend some money, no other way around it. The only reason I mentioned the vortec heads is because they can be found cheap and ready to bolt on. If you really want to build a ripper, take your time and save up for a 383 build. You can buy parts over the winter as you can afford them. Then when the time comes, you can pull your motor out and assemble the 383!

[DreamRyder1963]

There is a well-known and respected machine shop down the road from my school. I think I might run over there tomorrow afternoon and see what they would charge me for some head work.

[DreamRyder1963]

It was mentioned earlier about the heads possibly not handling the cam's lift. Can the factory heads stand up to the cam I am looking at?

[bbcmudtruck]

Yes the factory head will take that cam easily. You will however need to get the matching springs to the cam. First off, find out what heads you currently have. Take the valve covers off and get the casting numbers. Make sure the heads match, don't just take that as a given! Its ok to mix and match some heads, as long as they were built together for your app.

[slow-1]

May I suggest that you read a couple books on the subject along with talking to the guys at the machine shop.

This is one of the many book I own that has all kinds of good info in it that will help you with choosing the right combo of parts to end up with a motor that does what you want it to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Small-Block-Chevy-Performanc...


This one has lots of good parts info in it too.

http://www.amazon.com/Chevy-Small-Block-V-8-Interc...

When I get home I will post some others...can't remember the titles of them right now.

[DreamRyder1963]

Originally Posted by slow-1

May I suggest that you read a couple books on the subject along with talking to the guys at the machine shop.

This is one of the many book I own that has all kinds of good info in it that will help you with choosing the right combo of parts to end up with a motor that does what you want it to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Small-Block-Ch.../dp/1557882533



This one has lots of good parts info in it too.

http://www.amazon.com/Chevy-Small-Bl.../dp/0760331669


When I get home I will post some others...can't remember the titles of them right now.

Thanks for the suggestions. I went ahead and purchased the second one.

[slow-1]

That one you ordered has loads of info in it.

This one does too.




These are interesting reads but are not as applicable to the street.

[DreamRyder1963]

I talked to the machine shop today. He said that he could port and polish my heads but in a street vehicle it will probably hurt my low end. He also said for the money it would take to do the head work I can get the vortec heads which are good flowing to start with. So it looks like I will just get some vortex heads.

[bbcmudtruck]

A good port job wont effect your bottom end, however it can cost you upwards of 1200 bucks for a good set of stock ported heads. As I mentioned, the vortec heads are good for 30-45 hp as a direct bolt on. Be patient and keep hunting around on craigslist. If you have a junkyard close to you, go see if you can find a set on a vehicle that has been crashed with low miles. Just keep in mind that you'll have to buy a new intake to fit the heads, plus valve covers, if they don't come with any.

[DreamRyder1963]

I am going to look at a used set of Vortec heads tomorrow. What are some good things to look for besides part number and visable cracks?

BTW slow-1 that book has already been helpful. Thanks for the recommendation.

[wesmigletz]

Be careful when looking for Vortec heads. I see a lot of late 80s-early 90s swirl port heads advertised as being Vortec heads. I believe the stock castings were #906 and 062.

[DreamRyder1963]

I am going to bring my book along so I can double check them.