What is the difference in the BB heads, pros cons benefits or performance? I have a 383 and need to rebuild my engine and heads but is there any benefit in 906 or 452 or other factory heads? And do big block heads work on either 383 and 440 or do they not swap?
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 01:49PM
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 421
516 - 2.08/1.60 I/E - close chambered
915 - 2.08/1.74 I/E - close chambered
906 - 2.08/1.74 I/E - open chambered
452/243 - 2.08/1.74 I/E - open chambered with hardened valve seats.
That being said, any bb wedge head can swapped on any of the bb wedge blocks, 361-383-400-413-426W-440.
Max ported they will all flow nearly the same, stock flow goes to the 915 or 906's, difference being the 915 is a close chambered head worth approx 1 pt of compression over the later open chambered stuff.
Now, if your looking at getting some heads redone, imo don't waste your time if your goin to be spending anything close to 500 or more bucks when you can get a set of Edelbrocks that out flow even a ported stocker for right about 1k.
Dana, on the 452's aren't just the exhausts hardened? Also there is a popular theory that after 30+ years of operation and heat the seats have already hardened themselves.
Thanks, I have the 516 heads on mine now and they need to be rebuilt. No damage that I can see but they are old and show it. New question, what is the average cost to rebuild these heads including new springs guides etc??
Ok...True about the EBrock heads being a good deal money wise for the "bolt and go" crowd however a set of 516's with the exhaust punched out to 174 with a mild port and polish, with new hardened exhaust seats will perform just as well for the mild cruiser. After all, that is what most do with their C's anyway. And Steve Dulcich recommends this setup aa well. As for the cost to do them? Look at about a grand total from a good machine shop. Really a toss up though...Eddy's or re-worked stock heads. If you go Eddy'd go with the closed chambered on a 383. They like it better.
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 01:49PM
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 421
Yea the whole hardened seat from being run for so long before...doesn;t wash with me.
First set of heads I had on my 413, did the basic hone the block new rings and bearing. Left the heads alone...developed a pretty noticable miss after 13,000 miles. Burnt 3 exhaust valves.
Joined: Thu Nov 24 2005, 07:29PM
Location: So Cal.
Posts: 1111
I have been thinking about how to build my 440 also, and the new Edelbrock Victor heads are out. Opinions? When/if I get some extra cash..... gotta stop buying random car parts and focus!
My dream is a twin turbo C-body, but it would be nice to build a combo that could run with or without turbos attached in case I never actually get the aluminum snails under my hood. That's a whole other thread for a much later date though! I really wanted to hear all your opinions on the Edelbrock Victor combo. Doesn't seem like it'll fit under the hood, though...
Joined: Mon Feb 20 2006, 08:12PM
Location: Ontario,Canada
Posts: 950
For ease I would just a set of 452's remanned and call it a day..i t was cheaper than installing hardened seats and the biggere exhaust valve in my stock 516's so that' what my 361 got..
Unless you gonna make some serious horsepower, why spend the money on eddy's or other performance heads..
I always want more power and I am........frugal (aka cheap). If I can get more power or performance for just a bit more or the same cash I am going that way. Edelbrocks would be a great choice but with the engine rebuild cost I will buy the aluminum heads next year or next bonus from work. If the block needs to be bored I will put in better pistons and may up the CR a point. The block is at the shop and I should have a verdict this week..
Brain, that is how I handled my rebuild. Bored, balanced, new rods, flat top pistons, windage tray, billet rear main and the Block was decked. The stock 346 heads were cleaned up and valves were ground, old cam looked good, so it was reused for now with new lifters. Old intake was kept and the old AVS was rebuilt, but it promptly croaked. So it was replaced with a new 800 Thunder AVS. So the lower is all done and will handle about anything i can afford to throw at it. Now I can come back and do the top end changes as time and money allow without the need to pull the motor.
The new heads will be Eddy's for sure, haven't heard much about the Victors, but they sound interesting. The Eddy Performer RPM Pro-Flo EFI is also looking good!