Thread: vortec heads (brackets)

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I know you guys are probably tired of this topic. I've done the research on the heads and plan on droppin some (L31's) in my 85 chevy truck. I wan't to know if anyone has done this and what problems you might have run into when it came time to put the accesory brakets back on and mount everything. Are the holes the same as an older 350? or different? I will be running a/c.
I appreciate any help.

I hope not because I was planning on doing the same thing.

Well Streets I did search and while I do appreciate the tip (even though it seems like somebody gives me that 2 cents on every forum i've posted on) I couldn't find anything evern close to relevant. I searched "vortec" and "vortec heads". If any one knows a better key word or can give me a link to a thread, I shure would appreciate it.

I do belive that u need to run centerbolt valve covers but they do line up. Check this link out for info you may find interesting http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...t=Vortec+Heads

I know all about the valve covers and the groved rockers and the intake. I have just never heard anybody say anything about bracket locations on the heads. Maybe this is because they are the same. I know someone on this forum has made this upgrade, and I shure would like to know all I can before I dive in. Hope to hear from somebody.-------Dirk

I've called the local dealer and they "thought" they were pretty close to the same. That tells me that they aren't totally different, but they really don't know either. I guess I will just get some and figure it out, can't be that hard to fabricate or modify what I already have. I just thought that if I could save myself some time I would try.

I just found the answer to my question and thought that you guys might want to know. The bracket holes on the vortec heads are identical to the older 350's. This information was given to me by salle chevrolet. Who buy the ways sells the assembled pair for $500 and they have very reasobale shipping. www.sallee-chevrolet.com

That's good to hear.

I did a swap on a 85 el camino last year for a customer, it had a 305 and we put in
a gm crate ZZ3, only problem I had was the throttle/ kickdown cable bracket to the intake had to weld some new ears on it. And there was a brace for the a/c comp. that I had to use a 1 inch spacer where it bolted to the intake, Hope he made it thru the IM240 emission test (LOL) as he opted for the hotter cam, But I warned him fore we started........

Well, I've got no AC and my kickdown bracket is attached to the carb (as far as I'm aware), so I should be good to go. I'm smog exempt next year and I had a check last year so no more smog checks for me. I'll keep my old heads and manifold for a year, just in case.