i have a set of heads with the casting number 14102193 and i've called a machine shop to ask them if they are vortec heads or not. they told me they were but for other reasons i dont think so. i've tried and tried to look it up on the internet on every website i could find and none have told me if they are or arnt. does anyone know or can anyone find out for me if these heads are true vortec heads or not? if or when you find the answer will you please send me a link to the website (if its through a website that u found out for me) so i can see it too. i'd appreciate your help

 

No.

They are not even "genuine faux" Vortec heads.

They are 87-95 swirl-port low-perf TBI truck heads.

 

They are the originol Vortex design. But not the famed L31 Vortec that you hear about. You can still get decent HP out of the swirlies though. Try 270 RWHP with a LT1 cam and TBI not to mention 335 ft/lbs.

 

thanx both of you for your help but how did you find out this information? was it online or a book or did you just know? i'm asking so if i see a problem like this again i can find out for myself. although in this case the result was disapointing

 

Most block and casting numbers can be found online at www.mortec.com or www.chevymania.com ...I'm sure there's more as well.

 

Vortex is the name of the head design GM went to in 1987 on the small blocks, raised runners, centerbolt valve covers, self aligning rockers, etc.

Vortec is GMs trade name for their truck engines.

Your head casting is a swirly with center bolt vavle covers, etc. That makes it a vortex head.

True vortec heads have 8 bolts running straight down into the heads. You will also find casting numbers 062 and 906 for the 350 as well as 059 and 520 for the 305

Yours are 193s and I have worked quite abit with them.

 

what do you think of them? are they even worth doing any work to? what kind of power were you pushing with them?

 

267 RWHP @ 4,600 and 335 ft/lbs @ 3,400 IIRC with a stock LT1 roller cam, stock TBI intake, and Ultimate TBI mods. This was on a 350 though. Despite the power and the fact it was in a 5,000 lbs brick it still averaged 17 mpg or better.

Didn't cost me anything except for some valvesprings, some grinder bits, and about 10 hours of my time.