Block ID 3951511, 400, 1972, 4 main. TH350 ****** fresh rebuilt. Heads currently on it- Fresh 882s with steam holes for 400, 1.94 1.5 , 76cc. Performer rpm intake double roller timining chain. Cam specs are 454 480 lift 272 284 duration 216 228 @ .050. I have heard bad things about 882 heads and I have a chance to buy a pair of 400 heads #3961598, 3-angle valve job, Brand New 2.02/1.60 Valves, Springs up to .560 Lift, Ready to Bolt On- $350. The guy also has a pair of unmolested OEM Double Hump Heads - casting# 3782461, 62cc combustion chambers - $100. Which set of heads would be the best for my application? This is going into a 1950 pickup for daily driving and some lead footing. Thanks JD
Do you kow your current CR with the 882's? They can be made to flow decently, but are prone to cracking. The 461's will zoom the CR up from where you sit now, they probably flow a bit better in stock form than the 882's you can obviously port them quite well (remeber though, the 461's don't have accessory hole in the heads...), the 461X's, were the head to get as they had larger intake ports. Can't comment on the 598's, never seen'em or used them, but price seems right if they are a decent head.
Ive used double humps on a 400 with great results. I'd go with them. I had to run premium fuel to keep it from detonating and a good hi torque starter and 700 cranking amp battery so it will start when its hot. I had the same basic combo in a 72 nova and ran high 12's with it.
Hey Seadevil you will have to use a 400 head gasket as template to drill steam holes in 461 head. Ex head for yur eng. Good luck 52 csb
I dug through old emails and it turns out the guy I bought the motor from put dish top pistons in it. Would this make a difference in your opinions? JD
It will make less compression, may let you run regular gas. Sounds like you should have a machine shop figure out your compression ratio with the 461 heads.
I'd stay with the 882's and save your money. They already have hardened exhaust valve seats and 76cc chambers. With dished pistons you should be able to run regular 87 with no problem. These are transition heads and frequently referred to as the best head prior to the light weight castings. They don't like being cut for oversize valve springs. Ya' can strike water. If it's a driver, you'll have plenty of torque with a 406. I'm using a pair of 882's on a 383 I'm building right now. I'm using flat top pistons and to get the compression down to 8.8 I had to buy high $dollar$ FelPro MLS .071 thick head gaskets. These are a work of art, and should be, at almost $90 each. The 461's are small 64 cc, will flow better but will cause you some problems unless you don't mind buying 93 $octane$ gas. I don't know about those 400 heads. If the engine is already built, leave it alone and fiddle with carb jetting and ignition timing.
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