I have a pair of aluminum Chevy open chamber BB heads casting #3946074, both are dated in 1969. This style of head was typically used on L-89, L-88, ZL-1, LS-6 and LS-7 engines. The heads are stamped on the end of each one- Bitten Heads/Romulas, Michigan, Diamond Elkins, 71201, with E892R on one head (the "R" may signify the right side ?), and E892 on the other head. The heat riser ports have either been very nicely filled or were possibly cast without them ? They have been ported and polished. I believe that Butch Elkins of Diamond Racing fame may have had something to do with these heads. I can't find much about Elkins and nothing at all about Bitten Heads. Can anyone on the HAMB tell me anything about these particular heads ? Thanks in advance.
how about batten instead of bitten...is that possible..? diamond is still in business...not sure on cj batten...last heard he was doing the motorcycle thing... brandon
I think the name on the end is "Batten" - as in C.J. Batten - who had a head porting / machine shop in Romulus. He did some very good R & D on Chevies and Fords and others. Sorry, I can't tell you much about your particular set of heads but C.J. and Butch are both well known in the Detroit area for leading-edge head development. Google CJs DOHC BBC heads for interesting reading.
might do a check for early prostock or mod production....for some reason thinking a 69 or 70 pro stock camaro...think it may have been white... might have had something to do with katech . might be worth a look. brandon
Thanks Brandon and Flyer...you are both correct about "Batten Heads". I inspected them more closely and see that I was mistaken. The Batten stamp is about an inch across and is very fine and light. The "A" is stylized with the front leg being nearly vertical. I simply misread it as an "I". I've looked at these heads over a hundred times and didn't notice that before ! "DIAMOND ELKINS" is heavily done with 3/8" individual stamps. Maybe Batten modified these heads to Butch Elkins' specs. ? The numbers stamped in may signify something to that effect as well. Thanks again for the help. If anyone else can provide some clues to this mystery I would sure appreciate it...
Looks like Wally Booth's '68 Pro/Stock, Diamond Racing Camaro... Thanks I bought these heads from a guy out of Michigan. He didn't know a thing about their history. I would like to track them down and find out where they have been all of these years. They appear to have serial numbers... Anyone know who or where I can find some info on these numbers ? Batten appears to be out of business and I have no info on C.J. Batten or Butch Elkin's where abouts...
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