Going to the salvage yard to get a set of Vortec Heads this week. He said he has 15-20 sitting on a shelf and that he usually sells them to a machine shop and knows from time to time that some are cracked. Is there a way I can tell before I walk out with a set if they are cracked? It is $300 for the pair.

 

For $600 just buy a new paid from gm.. $300 is too much for those heads in unknown used shape IMO. A rebuild would cost about $300

 

It's $300 for the pr.. $150 each.

 

That is a touch on the high side for un-tested vortec heads. When I have them, I sell them for $200 for the pair.

Look around on craigslist. I bought the ones I put on my V8 S10 a couple years back off of CL. I got the heads, eddy intake, comp roller tip rockers, chrome valve covers for $350.

$150 http://huntsville.craigslist.org/pts/5347881685.html/

$200 complete engine.. buy it, use heads, sell short block for $400 and make money
http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/pts/5362253478.html

$225 http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/5391554676.html

$300 heads and eddy. intake http://nashville.craigslist.org/pts/5372307256.html

You will never be 100% sure on cracks w/o getting them tested, but if they do crack it will be between the two cylinders, or around exhaust valve. Use a brass wire wheel to clean the heads in those areas down to shiny metal and look for a crack and use your finger nail to feel around.

In my shop, I use an air angle die grinder and brass wire wheel... In the field I use a dewalt 18volt cordless 4.5" angle grinder with brass wire wheel.

 

Night, do you come across a lot of vortecs that are cracked? I've read on differing fourums where there either seems to be that problem or people are "thinking" there seems to be that problem.

 

They are crack prone,but,not anymore than any other late model sbc iron head.The internet has greatly blew it out of proportion as usual.It was very bad during the Vortec's earlier years because of issues with the intake gaskets that GM used failing.This lead to an over abundance of vehicles running hot & cracking heads.
You can pull a set of any late model heads from a perfectly running engine & you have a good chance that there is a crack somewhere during mag inspection.They sometimes will never leak,depending on where the crack is & other times they may not leak until removed,reinstalled & retorqued.
Either buy a set that have already been magged,or,at least have an understanding with the seller that the deal is dependant upon receiving crack free heads.Most JY's will simply let you get another head vs returning money.

 

He told me if they are cracked he would swap them out-that and his yard is almost just up the road. I'd like to get a set not cracked to begin with.. But, none of his are already checked.

 

It might be cheaper to buy an entire motor at that cost. I thought $59 per head was a lot at the junkyard I pulled the lower block out last week was high.
Nightrider, if you can ship for not too much I may be interested in a set of heads. TPI ones for an 87 iroc. Pulled my motor this weekend need to still tear down and inspect. Car sat for years and badly neglected and lower end is seized up.

 

What I seen as an avg is about 1 out of every 12 heads will be cracked

 

Shipping will be expensive due to the weight, but I am willing to ship and work with you to try to find the cheapest route to shipping them.

I just got in a '92 Z28 305 TPI yesterday with complete engine/trans. The only thing that looks non stock under the hood is the missing AC compressor. It was a totaled out due to front end wreck car w/ salvaged title.

 

just get a complete motor and build that..

 

Or buy a pair of new Summit Vortec heads.