Thread: Small Block Chevy Heads

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I have 67 "double hump" heads on a 350 2 bolt, would Vortec Heads be better? I heard they are about the same. Any suggestions?

OK then. What is the major difference?

Someone? Anyone?

i dunno but ill take those camel humps if ya git vortecs .................scooter

Double hump heads,, Pro= Cheap! flow fairly well, thick deck surface, uses all the old stuff (intakes, headers. springs, valves ,etc). Takes well to higher lift cams, room for large valves, responds to minor mods. Con= No acc. mount holes in end. Need hardened seats to use modern gas. Uses large sp plug, lacks sending unit holes needed for modern engines, Most are worn out or have been re-done so many times they are ??

Vortec Pro= new castings, for use with modern fuel, flow good for mild street engines, all acc. holes, small plugs, small c-chamber.
Con= Lightweight casting prone to cracking, needs a specific intake, Headers don't fit well, Needs guide/spring/retainer work over .480 lift. has no pushrod guide plates, requires special rockers, will not work with dome piston, Only certain mild mods work on these heads. does not respond well to larger valves.

Heres my 2 cents worth go for world products SR torquer heads, all the advantages of the camelback heads, and they are brand new and run on street gas cause they allready have the hardened seats. Thats the easy no problem way out.

I have always tried to get my customers to go for aftermkt heads instead of wasting money on the old stuff. But, there is so much mis-information on the double hump heads, that most want to fix them up.. Then scream when you tell them that that "bargain" set of heads they picked up for $250-350 need guides, seats, mill, studs, valves, retainers,locks and seals. Plus spark plug thread repairs because somebody tried to use taper seat plugs. Over $600.00 labor and parts! During spring and summer month this happens more than weekly!!

I used to keep some used Vortec heads around to show people the cracks and other problems. Normal use heads that failed in less than eighty thousand miles. I have had several people try to use the regular roller rockers and old style valve spring retainers on these heads. CRASH! the pushrods don't like running free and the retainers crash thru the seals at about .470 lift. not pretty and not cheap.

On my own motors, street motors, I use either ported and rebuilt 882's (my personal labor is quite a bit cheaper) with Performer type intakes, or World Prod. SRTorquers with some bowl work. I have also used the Aussie heads with no problems.

That I cannot say. I haven't seen the repro heads yet. I do know the owner of World Products and have talked with him about his products. They had some early casting problems years ago, replaced all their reported mistakes, brought casting production back to the US, in Ohio. They stand behind their stuff.