Thread: DOHC Heads for a BBC??

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Sometimes you just read about the good heads & combinations out there for BBCs, and figure theres no need to change beyond the 2 valves per cylinder that we all use.

But every now & then I wonder if any other engine builders/car manufacturers copied some of our BBC architecture for their engines & if, with some help, their heads could be fitted up to a BBC block & made to work. (Not really talking about the Arias Hemi but they are way cool)

It would need to be a big 4 cylinder head from an engine with similar bore spacings - I could only find a 3 litre 4 cylinder Porsche head with anything close, but apart from bench racing, has this ever been done?

Or is it a lot of work for absolutely no benefits?

Thanks
Todd

Aardema came close adapting his system to Arias heads: http://www.aardemasohc.net/index_files/Page903.htm

CJ batten made over head cam heads for the bbc never took off ? i think it was the amount of money ? hard to say i think they where use in off shore boats ? did see a set on a dragster but there so many good heads out there and the big chief heads and the Arias like you said .as for using a cheap over head cam head off another engine you hit the nail on the head the bore is 4.250 on a stock 454 and can go to 4.625 with the right block there not many heads that can work on the bore or spacing get that all to work the smaller head with smaller valves even 4 can not add to the flow of a big chief head with 2.400 intake and 1.900 ex

the reason they never took off wasn't about money--it was about the difficulty of working on them between rounds

well they were3 or more that did a just 4 valve head too. seen a set on e bay some time ago. guy built some stuff spelled wrong but sound like fueling ? still alot of work and you need new headers . intake . then the heads $$$$$ hard to beat some BMF heads or a set of big chiefs

Great concept, but not likely possible. any 4 valve dohc head I know of is way small for that application because they don't need to be any bigger. my 287 CI puts out 300HP and tq, gets 28MPG and is smooth as a...... well.. Cadillac.
98 Cadillac Northstar that is:

Russ

Northstar???? isn't that the one that you got to take off the intake manifold to get to the starter???? and a water cooled alternator?????

the 4 valve bbc stuff i think were not really started out for cars i think the fueling stuff was built for air planes . the CJ was for racing boats and all out race stuff. a boat builder i know told me about the heads . i did see a digger with CJ Battens over head cams on some thing bbc ? not sure if a bbc thats was 20 years ago at a car show in detroit

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Northstar???? isn't that the one that you got to take off the intake manifold to get to the starter???? and a water cooled alternator?????

You're 1/2 right. the starter is under the intake manifold, but that's really not the big deal it sounds like. the manifold on a N* is totally dry (no water circulation) and comes off with 10 bolts in about 20 minutes. The starter stays clean and dry under there, so they rarely need attention anyway (+ the engine cranks great when hot, as the starter isn't next to the ex manifold).

Russ

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

guy built some stuff spelled wrong but sound like fueling ?

http://www.biographicon.com/view/gq01v

Originally Posted by techinspector1

http://www.biographicon.com/view/gq01v

yep thats him . he was on tv a long time ago i did know he past.on tv talking about the stack plate head .he could make up a new head in layers like a sandwich out of alum plate then furnace weld the stack up . then done he would have a head with no tool /molds as you would for casting his heads have been in hot rod or car carft or both

Originally Posted by lotsatoys

Great concept, but not likely possible. any 4 valve dohc head I know of is way small for that application because they don't need to be any bigger. my 287 CI puts out 300HP and tq, gets 28MPG and is smooth as a...... well.. Cadillac.
98 Cadillac Northstar that is:

Russ

thanks for the pic of the Northstar.
wish I had one.

did they have problems with main bearings though?
did you have to use the thread inserts on the head blot threads?
would this fit my Toro transaxle?

this engine should look great in that rod.

Originally Posted by t0oL

thanks for the pic of the Northstar.
wish I had one.

did they have problems with main bearings though?
did you have to use the thread inserts on the head blot threads?
would this fit my Toro transaxle?

this engine should look great in that rod.

N* bottom end is pretty much bullet proof even with high HP.
Not sure about adaptors available. the bolt pattern is the same as the 60* Chev V-6 motors (2.8L, 3.1L, 3.4L etc) so there may well be something available.
It did look good in that rod until a head gasket went . a new motor is in the works as we speak . the N* head gaskets are the main problem with them. studs and Cometic gaskets are the cure.

Russ

Northstar stuff:

http://www.chrfab.com/cam_covers.htm