Thread: 283 heads

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I have a 67 chevelle w/ the original 283. It has been rebuilt once and bored .030 over. It has the original heads on it and I would like to change the heads out. My question is, what heads should I get, keeping in mind I would like to keep it cheap. I have done some research on here and it seems like a 305 truck head is that way to go. I was thinking of get a set on ebay or somewhere else for cheap, then getting a rebuild kit and fix them up. Any opinions on this?

Before you think to yourself, "I should sell the 283 heads." Don't. Save them for meets and see if you can use them to trade for anything you may need. I'm trying to get my old heads back from my friend who is using my 283.. he's bored it out to a 292 and is using vortec heads..

Save those. Theres some hardcore people out there that would want those on their strictly original cars.

As for looking for heads, I'm no professional, If I were you I'd call my local speed shop and tell them what I want out of some already built cylinder heads; Give SummitRacing.com a call, they're pretty good at helping out. And if you want a second opinion call again, chances are you'll get someone who knows what they're talking about and sometimes you'll get a total dolt. It's happened to me on several occasions.

If you want to know what vortec heads he's got on his, I can ask him for you, I hear they're supposed to give him about 30+hp added to his build. He got his from summit for relatively cheap.

The original 283 heads are probably 58cc or so. To keep any kind of compression you should stay in that area. The 305 heads should fit the bill and are probably all over and cheap.

FYI, I'm not aware of any "kits" to overhaul heads. The show-stoppers with heads are guides and seats. Both need machine shop attention.

Originally posted by nickakajudas
I have a 67 chevelle w/ the original 283. It has been rebuilt once and bored .030 over. It has the original heads on it and I would like to change the heads out. My question is, what heads should I get, keeping in mind I would like to keep it cheap. I have done some research on here and it seems like a 305 truck head is that way to go. I was thinking of get a set on ebay or somewhere else for cheap, then getting a rebuild kit and fix them up. Any opinions on this?

I would buy a set of Dart Iron Eagle,World S/R Torquer or Pro Topline Torker heads.If you are carefull you should be able to pick up either the Dart or the Protopline head for less than $600.I would try and keep the port volume less than 170 cc.Also I would try and run the 1.94/1.50 valves.The bigest problem with stock heads is it does not take long to sink over $300 in heads that might be 30+ years old and don't flow as well as the new heads and are also much more prone to cracks.

I hear tell from the guys with the flow benches that the 305 heads won't flow enough to support an engine much over 4500 RPM---doesn't seem right to waste much money on them when a set of heads that works aren't that much more......

just get some camel humps 58-64cc 1.94 1.6 work fine. 2.02 1.6 would be best on a .60+ over 283.