I have an opportuntity to buy these heads for $100.00 Casting #3795896. They guy says they came off a 71 chevy 350, and they have 1.94/1.50 valves. I looked at Mortec, and it says they are for 63-65 283's, and 62-64 327's, with 60cc chambers.
Do you think this would be a nice upgrade over my stock 305 heads?

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF
Ported Plenum
TB Bypass

 

if they're what mortec said they are there won't be any mounting bolt holes in the ends of them for accessories, major problem for you. plus they'd be made for leaded fuel and wouldn't have hardened seats.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

The valve seats wouldn't be a big deal, after all, I'd rebuild the heads before install. Yet, good point, I didn't think of the acc. holes. Thanks ede.

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF
Ported Plenum
TB Bypass

 

Hey-The guy just e-mailed me back, here is his message:

"they have accesory holes on both sides
top and bottom I asked a freind
who is mechanic and he said they would work
you can put alt on either side with these heads"

What do you think, is it worth it?

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF
Ported Plenum
TB Bypass

 

My opinion would be not to use these heads. TPI cast iron heads are actually an excellent production head. Of course there are many excellent older heads....

One thing to check is the "flattest" line of the chamber. If it tilts slightly to the exhaust valve the heads are of a decent design. If its pefectly straight across (front to back) avoid it like the plague!!! You will definatly lose power and fuel milage too. These production heads with 2.02 1.60 valves flow less than tpi heads with 1.94 1.50 valves.

I have a book here on heads (by David Vizard) and he says tpi cast and L31 vortecs are among the best production iron heads.

 

Joel, then why does everyone else agree that stock 305 TPI heads suck?

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF
Ported Plenum
TB Bypass

 

Joel is right and I don't agree that stock 305 heads suck. I am still running my #416 casting stock heads from my 1986 305TPI engine on the 305. They are very good even on 350 engines and perfect for the 305. They do need some home-porting work on the bowls & exhaust and a decent port-match. Other than that you can upgrade the springs and mill them for more compression.
I think the 305 heads are excellent after some simple & cheap mods. I spent a little over $100 for new seals, milling, a valvejob, some valvespring shims, and several hours of me porting them.
It sounds like those other heads are probably junk from the start, and if you use a thick felpro gasket the compression will drop significantly with those larger chambers. Also large bore (350) heads often lose power from valve-shrouding when used on a 305. On the other hand your 305 heads can do wonders on a 350.


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White 1986 Irocz, 305/383 with Edlebrock Performer-RPM intake and Performer #1407 carburetor, +110hp shot of crack, 700R-4 tranny, 3.25:1 rear, Mcreary Road-Stars, single 3" Borla exhaust, Linginfelter-TPI camshaft pulls 17" vacuum solid. N/A runs 10.9 @124, Crack-runs 10.3 @135... haven't run at track since Oct-99