Technical Best Performing "Traditional" head for a 283 build

Hey guys, I've been messing with 283s for years now and most of my builds have been a mix of eras and not trying to stick with a traditional build so I've used the HO 305 heads, the power pack heads, vortecs and aluminum heads etc.

But on my current '31 Chevy Coupe build I'm trying to keep everything mid 60s and older (At least the Technology standpoint on it, example a brand new Fuel pump but based off what was available in the 60s styling and performance wise)

So my question is what traditional type Heads should I be looking at performance wise for a 300+- hp 283 based off of a mid 60s era Hot Rod

Thanks for any help

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any 68 and older 1.94 or 2.02 camel hump head. That was the head used on all the high hp small blocks in the 60's

 

Do you happen to have the casting numbers or the last 3 of them for ease of research?

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Or a nice new set of edelbrock aluminum heads with the accessory holes welded shut, grind off the logos and paint them orange. Hell, a little jb weld and you could re-create those camel bumps.

 

462
291

the 291 heads are 68 only as they have no accessory holes and a hold for the temp sender.

 

Trick Flow is now making aluminum heads that look dead on to an old camel hump head.

 

All three of these have the "camel hump" casting identifiers like my "291's.


"461" (with an X also, but getting hard to find).
"462"
"291"

 

That's what my engine machinist wants to do is go with Aluminum heads for an easy guranteed 300+hp and better overall drivability. I'm just trying to stick with traditional on this particular build. But I did think about the aluminum heads roughed up and painted to look old

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the trick flows have that cast look and the chevy camel humps.

 

This is from How to Hot Rod SB Chevy's book.........Heavy duty parts section.

 

As per my previous post.
These castings were available as both low/medium performance applications (1.94" dia. intake valves) and 2.02 dia. from the hiperf cars. The 1.94's are the better choice for the small bore of the 283's.
Another thing; don't let people discourage you from using these by saying they won't survive without hardened seats, first, the type of cars we (generally) put them on are not everyday drivers racking up a hundred thousand miles like the old days and two, if you are starting with bare castings that need all new valves, etc. just have them machined with hardened seats installed.
Not the cheapest proposition but any other casting will not have the correct look for a 60's period engine build.

 

All of these are modern style heads but none have the casting identifiers as a "true" camel hump head, not important for some but a dead giveaway of a NOT traditional type build.

 

Why not build a stock 230 hp 283 with power pack heads ?

 

I want a little more pep in its step. On this 283 in the coupe I would like to hit the 300 horsepower mark

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Research early Corvette heads. There were other head markings for the dual quad 283s, and the fuel injected 283s. Many times I have seen the old triangle power pack heads ported and polished with bigger valves. I would go this route before I ran musclecar era heads if I was imterested in era correct, and do some port work.

 

461 ...

 

3884520, the "520" casting. Was the last "Power Pack head, two versions, 1960-64-ish, and 1965-67. Used on 283's and the 250 hp '62-67 327" engines.
Early version has less desirable tub combustion chamber so avoid that one... the later '65-67 version is sometimes called a "Jr Fuelie" as it has a 59-60cc version of the good closed chamber that is just a shrunken copy of the 462, 291, 186 style quench chamber.
Comes with 1.72" intake valves, have the seats and bowls cut to 1.94" and then bowl blend them out nice and slim the valveguide boss.
End result is better on a small engine than a Camel Hump head....smaller combustion chamber, smaller original valve bowl allows nice porting to match the size of the 283 where the Camel Hump is already too big stock.
Casting identifier on the end of head is a laid down rectangle with a upward triangle peak on the center top surface of rectangle.

With the listed modifications, It'll be the best original iron vintage head you could come up with. for a 283, 307, 305.

 

Camel humps. you don't need hard seats if you install hard valves. just a good three angle valve job.

 

Don't think the 2.02 will clear the cylinder wall on a 283. We've always used the 1.94.

 

A 202 will clear the cyl wall. on a 283. However the shrouding will negate any gains that the bigger valves would gain.

 

I put a 283 together with 896 power pac castings. I use 1.88 305 valves. Anything bigger is a waste because the ports are to narrow around the valve guide. Then I angle milled them .0625 followed by a .030 flat mill. The chambers end up in around 50cc. It gets the compression up enough to run a good cam. I run the speed pro CS1169R 2000-4500 RPM Range, 292 intake/292 exhaust Adv Dur, Duration @.050 218 intake/218 exhaust, Valve Lift .458. The cam seems mild but in a 283 it lopes pretty good. The 283 is easy to overcam.

 

I put rings and bearings in a stock 69 327 block, added a 30-30 cam. and edelbrock C4B intake. I used a set of reworked 57 Powerpack heads. Why? because those heads where on the first 55 chevy I ever owned. and I also wanted to use a set of stagger bolt valve covers that I bought when I was a teen.

 

A 1931 Chevrolet is a light car.
I don't understand the whole better drivability thing. A 1959 283 built with only stuff available from 1959 should be very very drivable in a '31.
If you want a period engine, build a period engine. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Power pack heads
Ram Horns
Dumtov cam.....
It should be really sweet.

 

The 461x head was the best flowing iron of the early era.
Back when the "Econo" classes (A, B, C ,D/ED and A, B, C, D/EF) became a thing in NHRA racing, one of the things that HAD to be used in the lower classes, was "stock" heads.
By EVERYONE'S take the 461x was the cylinder head to have.

Otherwise, get the new(ish) Trick Flow head and paint them orange.

Mike

 

Where does the X show up? I have 8782461 heads but do not see the "X". Is it marked somewhere else on the head? The heads are currently mounted on the 283.

Thnx,

Tom

 

Most people are going to tell you fuel head (camel hump heads) which air pretty good heads. I am personally a fan of Power Pac heads. Granted I am an oddball but they are the heads that I like to work with.

 

The X came after the 461. Mainly on vette heads. I'm against 2.02 intakes on a 283 contrary to the now popular belief on the HAMB that they will work fine. Still against notching cylinders on a sbc. Just my $.02.
Pete

 

I have no experience with the "X" heads but this is the most comprehensive "discussion" on them I've seen to date, six pages worth, lots of neat photos too.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/chevy-iis.397699/

 

The photo above was lifted from a post by @big duece. There was also a ‘441X SBC head, but unlike the larger runners on a ‘461X head the ‘441X had 80cc chambers instead of the typical 76cc smog chambers.

 

Filed away! I get GIDDY over this small-journal stuff!! Gotta get home and recheck my numbers!!!!