what's are good heads for 70's gm 400 short block? want to get current junkyard heads when complete it made 10:5 to 1 compression want compression to stay like that shortblock cam is a hydraulic probably 484 lift variety told it's general kinetics
Vortech's will flow power, but stock do not like lifts above .470, without some mods. TONS of good aftermarket (new) heads for under $1000. Check the ads.
new bad junkyard heads good don't know what vortec is and don't want to know shipping from anywhere for 2 35# heads is more than i want to pay for the heads big block chryslers could run .509 hyd and only one thing needed to be checked will check that .484 lift stuff i agree no skittles for larry
ok i'm redoing this post drilling steam holes seems like a known thing for sbc heads will check with our machine shop so we're wide open again what's a good head to use?
Really need more info. You said 400 short block - so you must have pistons in it? If so, what is the dome or more likely dish volumne? And what compression ratio are you looking for when done? With that you'll have a better idea of what combustion chamder cc you are looking for when shopping for cylinder heads.
Votech's are the best sbc head to roll out the factory. They are in the junkyards. New, they are $500-600. 30 horse's over the old double hump head.
Unless you can do the machine work yourself and already own the parts, there is little to be gained buying junkyard heads. Several speed equipment catalogs list the new iron Vortec heads for around $300 about the same as a local GM parts department if you get a shop discount. Make sure you use a head gasket made for the 400 block and the heads have the steam holes drilled. It will overheat if you don't.
late 60's early 70's heads dont know the number you can drill the heads yourself use the headgasket as a template
Just be aware that most Vortec heads have combustion chambers down around 58cc and the original 400 head was 76cc. You need to match the piston head configuration to the combustion chamber size to arrive at your desired compression ratio.
"don't know what vortec is and don't want to know" Really? You ask about heads yet refuse this suggestion ... Vortec's CAN be found in the wrecking yard because they ARE a factory GM head, Mr. Genius. Blah blah blah ... whatever I see you have 4 posts on this site so far ... here's a big tip for you ... This is a great site for info ... listen and learn and if you don't understand something (like Vortec heads for example) ASK.
borntoloze, Vortec heads on a stock 400 short block will have WAY too much compression-it'll quickly hammer the pistons to death on anything but race gas. Mr. Mopar isn't building a motor from scratch and needs 76cc chambers so his engine will run on the swill they sell as "gasoline" nowdays.
Your kidding right? Shipping from where I work to south of LA is under $100.00 for 70 lbs. Google Vortec cylinder heads.
I'd p*** on 882 heads-prone to cracks. The 487 heads are heavier castings, and were used on the 71-72 LT1 Camaro and the L-48 and L82 Vettes. They're gonna be more expensive and harder to find than 882's, but I think they'd be worth it.
Get rid of the general kinetics cam. they are garbage. quality ****ed on them, lift numbers will be different from lobe to lobe!
The Jalopy Journal
