Thread: Merlin oval port opinions

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Have an opportunity to purchase a set of Merlin oval ports for a very good price new in the box at $1400. out the door all taxes and shipping included.

I dont know anything about these heads and how well they perform. Nayone have any insight. I spoke to a guy at Competition products and said he feels for the amount they cost you are getting 2 boat anchors.

Then again he was pushing Brodix Rae Rite oval ports for an additional $500. buck he said the extra $500 for them is very worth it when comparing them to the Merlin Ovals.

Anyone with any opinion and/or experience with them.

i think he may be right Oports are good but that is alot of money. a set of 781 gm would work as good . i know of two guys that used the merlins and the one car i know would run as good or bettter with a set of gm 781 with some work

Originally posted by 30-A Rider
Have an opportunity to purchase a set of Merlin oval ports for a very good price new in the box at $1400. out the door all taxes and shipping included.

I dont know anything about these heads and how well they perform. Nayone have any insight. I spoke to a guy at Competition products and said he feels for the amount they cost you are getting 2 boat anchors.

Then again he was pushing Brodix Rae Rite oval ports for an additional $500. buck he said the extra $500 for them is very worth it when comparing them to the Merlin Ovals.

Anyone with any opinion and/or experience with them.

If you have a 454 big block and if it turns less than 6,000 I would run a set of the 781's with 2.19,1.88 valves do a bowl blend and a gasket match and call it good.

...not trying to high jack this post but; How can I identify the '781 heads'? Are they in the Scoggin Dickey Catalog? Or what GM motor/motors did they come on? Thank you Bill

Originally posted by billlsbird
...not trying to high jack this post but; How can I identify the '781 heads'? Are they in the Scoggin Dickey Catalog? Or what GM motor/motors did they come on? Thank you Bill

look in the head were the rockers are the last number wil be 781 casted in the head 454 and the last set i had wer mid 70s

Originally posted by pat mccarthy
look in the head were the rockers are the last number wil be 781 casted in the head 454 and the last set i had wer mid 70s

Thanks Pat ......

i put the merlin oval on my chevelle 427 and it runs 11.70 all day with a comp cam hyd. on the dyno it put down 416hp and 467 lbs. this is out of the box with 230 valves and all brand new parts you cant go wrong. if your spinnig under 6,000 rpm. the rectangle are the same price and will make more power 3800 to 7000rpm

Originally posted by Superjim427
i put the merlin oval on my chevelle 427 and it runs 11.70 all day with a comp cam hyd. on the dyno it put down 416hp and 467 lbs. this is out of the box with 230 valves and all brand new parts you cant go wrong. if your spinnig under 6,000 rpm. the rectangle are the same price and will make more power 3800 to 7000rpm

You don't need the Merlin oval ports to make 416 h.p.

Originally posted by erik erikson
You don't need the Merlin oval ports to make 416 h.p.

yes that is like falling off a stump for any big block built many and they did not have merlins and i know they would make that easy. it blows my mind how evey one thing big blocks need heads and go out pay big $$$ MONEY and some of the stock stuff works as good or better with not alot done

thats rwhp not flywheel with mufflers. good luck finding 781 bb head it will sost $$$ to rebuild them. but what do i know im under 25

no one is beating up on you and no one said you have junk. but i built over 100 big block from 396-632 and have been at this for 20+ years i did not say any thing bad about you. superjim427 and he has a set of 781

Originally posted by Superjim427
thats rwhp not flywheel with mufflers. good luck finding 781 bb head it will sost $$$ to rebuild them. but what do i know im under 25

I am sitting on 6 sets.What is your point?

oops

pat do you thin 1 3\4 header are to small for a bb turning 6000

Originally posted by Superjim427
pat do you thin 1 3\4 header are to small for a bb turning 6000

you would have to try more than one set to find out. but on saying that the primary tube leigh as lot to do with this as well and the EX systems and mufflers if you have a X cross in it. the size 1 3/4 would work BUT 2 inch on a 454 may work better alot of the headders i have built for big blocks are 2 1/4 to 2 3/8 for engines from 509 to 632 so i think it may work better with 2 tubes i did some work on a468 from2 inch to 2 1/4 tubes thinking it would kill so bottom end ? NO it did not and went from a 456 gear to a430 and the car pulled much harder tire spin was the same so i do not think i kill the low end but had no dyno to back this up.this was on a 4000 pound car