Hey guys,
I have to decide between a whole new engine or a lot of head work on my 305 tbi. If I decide to replace the heads is there an option out there better than stock heads that doesn't require any tuning to run? Or a good source for rebuilt stock heads?
Don't say get a 350.

 

Any head or cam change will require a tune to run correctly. A 350 engine swap would too.

 

If I were stuck with a 305, and wanted replacement heads for a mild-cam engine, I'd be buying a pair of the old Trick Flow Twisted Wedge heads for SBC.

They're the only 2.02/1.60 heads that will clear the tiny 305 bore.

I'm not saying the valves aren't shrouded; and the exhaust (I think) will hit the bore if you have high enough lift. One of the major magazines threw a set of Twisted Wedge heads on a 305 mule engine back when these heads were new, and if they published an article on it, they must have had some success. I wish I could remember whether the heads were the Gen 1 or the Gen 2. (First Guess: Gen 1) A person should read the article before laying down money, and I can't find it on-line. I have a copy somewhere in the basement, but I'm not digging through stacks of paper to find it.

 

059 casting 305 vortec heads with 1.94/1.60 valves installed in them.