info on heads please

[Jimbotronics]

ok - I knew the motor was a later model engine than original '71 and accourding to my research would be a 87-95 350 4-bolt main. The 'ol quaddra jet carb was in desperate need of attention and I was unable to find anyone around here that would touch it. So Zoomy gives me a good deal on a holley 600 and an offenhauser intake, I carry it down to have it put on and the guy says it aint gonna work that the heads are first year vortec and require a different manifold. The bolt holes are in same location as a normal intake but screw straight in instead of at an angle. Took me all friggin day to find one. My question is can anyone tell me anything about these heads good or bad.

Cheers,
Jim

[bigjimzlll]

you can use theolder style manifold...just have to elongate the holes and use washers. Cant help on the heads...

[Tx Firefighter]

I've posted pictures on here before of some of my intakes that I ground the 4 middle holes to where the bolts would screw in. I put a bunch of early to mid 90s pickup 350 engines into early vehicles and had to do this trick to make the intake work.

[Tx Firefighter]

found them.....





Just do it like this and save your money for something fun rather than buying one of the special intakes. I can vouch for engines going over 100k miles with an intake that I did this to, with no problems.

[Jimbotronics]

This is exactly why this forum rocks! Excellent info fellas. I found a brand new edlebrock performer dual plane for a $100 at a mom and pop carburator shop. This 'ol boy knows his stuff - said he's been running that same shop for nearly 50 years. He's obviously had a stroke at one time because he can't raise his left arm very well. Long story short it was worth the 100 bucks to sit and listen to his memories. Haven't got it installed yet, but should be ok. I bought the carb and intake as a package deal, any idea what I should ask for this offenhauser that i won't be using?

[Sweet72]

I have no personal experience with vortec heads, but based on all I've heard, I'm using them on my 383 stroker for the '72. This link has some good info: http://chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Sweet72

I have no personal experience with vortec heads, but based on all I've heard, I'm using them on my 383 stroker for the '72. This link has some good info: http://chevyhiperformance.com/howto/97458/

The heads he's talking about aren't Vortec heads, just later model center bolt heads.

[Jimbotronics]

I did say they were because that's what the guy said, but from what I've researched they're not - just later model regular 350 heads. Soon as I get a chance I'll run the numbers on the heads, that'll tell ya what they are and when they were made right?