Birdstheword

i know vortech heads for 60 bones @ pick a part in san bernardino , what other vehicles used the 187 heads ?

RFmaster

To keep things simple (and I mean simple) stay clear from vortec heads. Vortec heads use 8 intake bolts vs. 12 and the bolt angle is vertical. This requires vortec specific intake. Since vortec was introduced in 96 your F-body will never pass cal smog check
Vortec heads do not have exhaust cross over - this will render EGR non functional, but can be retrofitted with external plumbing to make it work with GMPP L31 TBI intake. Since L31 engine (vortec) is a truck engine this type of swap is not allowed under Kalifornia Eco-**** regime.

The 187 swirl ports heads (14102187 a 58cc head, centerbolt) were used in variety 305 LO3 applications 1986(87) to 1991. So just about any 305 TBI engine might be a candidate.

//RF

Birdstheword

oh , no im not going vortech , im staying swirl port . got a quote on the HG job , the guy wants 500 bones " too much? " or i could do it myself "again " , also got a quote on Magnaflux for both heads is 60 and 80 for resurfacing , im also thinking of throwing in some new pushrods "$30" just for S and G's , i think this whole problem could of have been avoided if it wasnt for flawed intanke manifold gasket " the rear ports were blocked off and only had a a pin hole " rev'd the sucker and blew my heatercore , im amazed that she made it home " 10 mile drive " BTW i replaced the intake manifold gaskets " now i have to do it all over again " . now iknow white smoke = BHG .

RFmaster

HG involve a lot of R & M which is time consuming - that's the reason for 500 bones. I would not hesitate to do HG job on SBC - I have done it on more than one occasion. Just got to keep things organized and clean. Importance of clean is paramount as dirt and engines do not mix.
Enough said.
Which intake manifold gasket did you use (MS93317)? And is it correct part # for your engine? Online catalogs show rear water port block off. Typically, these gaskets have orientation indicator so that it is impossible to install backwards.
Before buying new pushrods make sure that correct length - got to keep valvetrain geometry right!

My main concern would be to figure how coolant got into combustion chamber. In a worst case scenario you may have to source replacement heads if yours are cracked (mag).

//RF

Birdstheword

well here's my shoppinglist .
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FPP-1205/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-8510PT/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-7808-16/

the reason why i didnt see that the rear water ports were blocked off is because i myself didnt install the intake manifold gaskets , i wasnt there when the install happened . why would they block off the rear water ports? kinda defeats the whole purpose of the cooling system . As for how the coolant got into the combustion chamberS , i have no clue . seems as though coolant got into all CC's since all pluggs had black residue on them , so im hoping that i dont have cracked heads , enough as it is this job alone is going to set me back $230 "gaskets , rods and machine services " .

RFmaster

Double check FPP-1205 - I used that set on my 383 build and IRC this is a non EGR set - exhaust crossover is blocked off which will render your EGR non functioning.

//RF

Birdstheword

you sir, are coreect , it dosent have the EGR hole punched out , i wonder ifi can youse my used gaskets as a template and somehow cut it out , its that or maybe try sending it back and swap it for this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-MS90314-2/

RFmaster

EGR hole is somewhat critical - its diameter determines volume of exhaust gases that can be supplied to EGR valve inlet port. Felpro supplies metal shim inserts for some applications to precisely control EGR flow.

Birdstheword

ok ,so FEDEX messed up on shipping so i got to re-order gaskets and rods , i got the correct intake manifold gasketswith the cross over port , i have a couple of questionsthough , the bore on the head gaskets isnt completely round " will this affect the performance of the gasket ?" also the rods look a little thicker " whats the length and diameter on stock rods ? " here are a couple of pictures tohelp understand a little better

RFmaster

Nope - the gasket bore does not have to be completely round. In old days (some 25 years ago) they were but today's head gaskets seem to have oblong shape to them. Manufactures claim that it helps with heat transfer and prevents HG burn-through.

My Z-1003 HG on 4.030 bore has that egg looking shape.

//RF

Birdstheword

that answers one question , i guess i'll just measure the stock rods with a caliper when im removing stuff .

RFmaster

Aftermarket push rods are available in 5/16 and 3/8" diameters. The larger are used for race applications. Just make that the new push rod length does not screw up valve train geometry!

http://www.compcams.com/information/Products/Pushrods/

//RF

Birdstheword

thanks for the info , i chose that set of rods because in the summit catalog it said it was for 88 and up OE roller cam .

RFmaster

You should be OK, but as with all parts mechanical - assume nothing and verify everything.

//RF