Thread: Fuelie Heads?

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I'd like to understand what a "fuelie" head is? I've been told that a pair of heads that I have are called fuelie heads? They are Chevy heads with a 2" intake valve and smaller exhaust valves. Are these for a small or large block Chevy? What is the going rate for these heads? Are they commonly available? I'd appreciate it if someone could educate me about these heads. Thank you. Mike34

Just an old dinosaur of a head from the 60's and 70's.... 2.02" intake and 1.60" exhaust.... They were good in their day I guess, but there are soooooooo many new heads out now, both cast iron and aluminum that will outperform them right out of the box... If you're doing a "numbers correct" restoration and this is what your car came with then find a set. If you want to go fast, get the modern stuff!!!! These heads are old.....going to take a bunch of money to redo the guides, port and flow work, stainless valves, screw in studs and on and on whereas the good new ones come with all the necessary parts installed.....

whats the casting number?

Thanks for the info Dave.
gassersrule 196 - The only number that I recall cast into the heads is 461. (I only gave 1 head a quick look.)

Dave wrote:

Just an old dinosaur of a head from the 60's and 70's.... 2.02" intake and 1.60" exhaust.... They were good in their day I guess

Well Dave, I guess you guessed right. I have a set of the "fuelie" heads on my 350 SBC (out of a 68 Camaro, 350 hp) and they're still pretty damn good. And while it is definitely true that many of the newer heads are really superior in design and application, a few of us oldsters still like some of the nostalgic stuff. Guess that's why I have a 371 ci J2 Rocket engine in my 57 Olds.

Don't race, never plan to, so the only way I will update will be when it blows. Then it will probably be time for a new LS6 with an overdrive trans for better performance and better mpg's. Unfortunately, the mpg's will probably be greater than the spg's.

Mike, if you like the heads you can keep them and use them, or keep them for talking points. Mortec.com will tell you which castings are the better ones. Otherwise, depending upon your need you might want to invest in a set of new iron or aluminum vortec heads, or a nice set of racing heads. Plenty of people here that can give you great advice in that area.

Now, if you pardon me, I'm going back to sleep with the rest of the old timers.

I agree with mopar, they are probably outdated as for performance but still seeked out for "nostalgia" reasons. Here in the last few years it seems head technology has gotten so good that prices have gotten lower and you can find better heads than the fullie heads new and pretty cheap.

Guess I'll still take efficiency and performance over nostalgia... If you like the old stuff, fine. Wish I had a few sets of 461's or X's, I could peddle them and get the good stuff for the 'maro!!!!!

Mopar34 - Thanks for the information, I'll look up the casting numbers on the heads and refer to Mortec.com to figure out what I've got. (I have to admit, I didn't think of looking for a casting number on the heads.) I'm sifting through a garage full of auto parts and auto related stuff for the widow of a friend. I'm a, dare I say it on this forum page,...a Flattie guy and my friend was a street rod guy, both hopped up Flatties and SBCs. I've identified an engine as a '66-67 283. It has vette valve covers and powerglide tranny. The fuelie heads are sitting off to the side with a new Edelbrock intake and other speed parts. I have no problem sifting through the flattie parts, but I'm lost when it comes to the SBC & speed stuff as we try to sort and sell it all off. Thanks for the info,...it has helped.

I'd like the flattie stuff too! But then, I'd feel obliged to get a Ford to but them in. Might be cheaper for me just to find a good 331 or 354 for my Mopar.

Dave wrote:

Guess I'll still take efficiency and performance over nostalgia

I wouldn't expect anything less from someone running an 82 Camaro. Choice is by preference, but can't see an 1982 anything running anything old. Almost like adding Olds Rocket valve covers to a 350 sbc.

Mike34....a little background on "fuel injection" heads. In the beginning, there was the small block Chevy. The first two years offered what was called the "power pack" engine option. In 1957, Chevy introduced the fuel injected motor and the head castings were improved. Chevy put a cast identifier on the end of the heads...like a "double hump", a triangle, a saw tooth shape, etc. Since there were zero aftermarket heads available, the best Chevy head of the time was very desirable. Thus, "fuelie" heads were the hot ticket, especially for the non-ported guys. The "double hump" heads were of the 1965 Fuel Injection era. They used to sell for $100 a pair brand new including valves and springs...I bought a few sets myself.

The last "fuel injection" was 1965 for Chevy until the tuned port injection was introduced in the '80's. The older heads don't have the accessory bolt holes in the end of the heads since the accessory brackets mounted differently...until about '69 (as I remember) when the brackets mounted to the heads.

Now, you can buy aftermarket heads by the zillions and even the Chevy Vortec heads are superior to the old heads. But, if you have them, why not use them...or sell them to someone who is trying for historical accuracy...and take the $$ and buy a new set of Vortecs.

I had a set of '57 F.I. casting number heads and gave them away...before the restorer craze made them worth more than scrap value!!

mike in tucson

I agree that the 461 "fuelie heads" are old school performance heads that will not be expected to perform with the modern stuff. Having said that, a well ported set of feulies will run pretty well. I had a set of 461s on a built 12:1 compression 383 with a solid flat tappet cam in a full weight 69 firebird street car and hit 115mph in the quarter on NO traction street tires.
My next motor (10:1 406, xe 274h cam, etc) used another set of redone "fuelies" and ran to 112 mph while being very streetable. Newer heads would have made more sense(performance and $ wise), but I like the old school bit. There is something about using real 60's hardware and being able to have respectable performance for a street car. It's all about what makes you happy.

George