Buy new heads or pay to get mine freshened up?

[dhamilton62]

Just wondering your guys opinion on this. I got a new crate 350 about 6 months but it's now got about 5k on the motor. The old motor I had was a slightly built 350 and had some camel double heads with threaded rocker studs and what not. I was thinking about running these again but wanted to get them all freshened up and the local machine shop said they could do it all for $350. Should I just pay the 350 and run those 64cc heads or save up some more cash and buy a set of aluminum heads? I'm not too worried about weight but would it be worth it to spend about a grand instead on something new? Thanks so much!

[Tiger Joe]

camel hump heads have a cool factor, but that's it. a new modern aftermarket head would be much better performance wise. More than likely I'd bet a vortec head swap would be worth my ponies than the camels

[jomatt20]

I went the expensive route and bought some of the blueprint engines h8002k heads. for $895. but the machine shop told me it would cost 500-700 per head to redo.

[Joe Pass]

Dan...what are you doing now?.....Those double hump heads need a better cam to gain any real performance....I just bought Procomp's version of a vortec head at 335.00 each from Summit for a crate motor but I'm also upgrading the cam to match....one thing leads to another.

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by Tiger Joe

camel hump heads have a cool factor, but that's it. a new modern aftermarket head would be much better performance wise. More than likely I'd bet a vortec head swap would be worth my ponies than the camels

I agree

[67 chevelle]

If you want to keep them for originality , get them rebuilt , otherwise new vortecs would be my choice , of coarse that means a new manifold and heater crossover , but they are worth it

[jdw]

Are you talking about aluminum vortec heads? You'll also need new valve covers. The spark plugs are angle ported and the exhaust is "D" ported so you probably need new exhaust setup, especially if you're running headers.

[1quik70]

I would opt for new heads! I had a set done a couple years ago and wasn't at all happy at the end. I told the machinist to "freshen" them up, make sure the spring pressures were close and let them go. Valve seals were really the issue. I was quoted $500 and gave the green light. When I picked the heads up my bill was almost $1000, and there was no turning back. I vowed to NEVER have another set of heads touched my a machine shop when I can buy brand new aluminum heads for under $1500!!!

[RedRoad]

My vote is stock heads for show level restorations and aftermarket for actual drivers.

I got a set of S/R World heads when they were cheap when the heads on my crate 350 need work, also have a Comp Cam kit to go in at the same time.

I think these are good price for what they are

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12558060

[Mrturner1]

Just had this exact scenario on my SBC rebuild. Went with aftermarket and have a total of 800 bucks invested in them, they out perform camel humps 200% and I didn't need a different intake manifold

[Mike C]

With a big block you can justify rebuilding the original heads if they are large oval ports or square ports. But parts and labor on a small block are way too high and the performance improvement too much to ignore for the money. Buy new heads is how I would proceed.

[GRX]

New heads ready to bolt on for sure.

Having 40+ year old heads "freshened up" most always ends up costing more then you expect.

[El Dorado Jim]

go with new aluminum heads

[special-K]

No one can give a proper answer w/o knowing anything about your "crate motor". Freshening up old heads is a perfectly good idea and the price quoted should hold true, unless there is unforeseen damage. Whether the double humps or snazzy aluminum head would be of any benefit at all depends on what's in the engine they are bolted to.

Camel hump heads add more than cool factor. The way they got cool factor was through how great the engines they came on ran. The way they are identified is through the camel humps

[jjzepplin]

I have heard horror stories about the newer heads having two piece valves as well and if one breaks...BOOM all is lost. So the idea is if you get the newer heads to get them bare and have a reputable machine shop clean them up and install the one piece valves. Sometimes the valves are even binding in the guides straight from the manufacturer. And go ahead and look at the seats that were cut from the manufacturer. You will be enlightened for sure. HUGE differences. You have to really watch out where you think you may be saving a buck. Usually you aren't or everyone would be doing it.