i purchased a 350 from a 89 chevy 2500 and have pulled it apart. see build thread here from what i have been told the heads that came on it are not great.

casting number 14102191

i wanted to create a new thread for my head discussion.

first i have not decided if i want FI or carbed but leaning more towards carbed so that i can reused my intake and carb to save money while saving for what i want.

i currently have a edelbrock and carb on my 305 ho

so lets talk like a want to go with a carb. i want to have a 300 to 350 HP street car

first can someone explain to me about compression ratio because i thought about reusing my stock pistons if applicable but i might just buy a rebuild kit with new ones.

next i need to know what cc i need for the heads

next what are some good stock heads that i can look for in a scrap yard. (casting numbers and year and model of vehicle). I here people suggest vortec heads but that would then require me to go with a FI system.

next what would work as after market heads. this is a somewhat budget build so i probably cant drop a grand on heads.

also i may be able to get a set of single hump heads from a 327 where would those rank as a desirable head.

 

vortec heads do not require FI, but the do require a specific intake manifold. Most edelbrock manifolds are now offered in a vortec configuration. As far as heads if you're not looking to spend much and with your goals i think the vortecs would be a great fit. i would suggest those heads with a mild cam in the range of 210-230 duration @ .050 and a vortec style air gap would get what you are looking for relatively cheap.

I think you mean compression ratio which is the ratio of the chamber at bdc compared to tdc. If your combustion chamber at bdc (when piston is at the very bottom) is 10x the size when it's at tdc (all the way up) you will get a 10:1 compression ratio. The higher the ratio the more power potential but also the more likely you are to go into pre-igntion where the gas lights from the pressure and the pistons get pushed back down before they're really ready. That is also known as detonation and can destroy an engine in a heartbeat. the vortecs have relatively tiny chambers, 58cc or 64cc, so you should be good with your pistons as long as they're in good shape and it will most likey bump your compression a little bit. also the carb will most likely need replaced with a larger unit such as a 650 or 700 cfm since it will need to feed 45 more ci.

 

your 305 heads would work. i would get the intake valves enlarged for 1.94 valve and do some bowl and chamber work. also the vortecs work good and are cheap but you know your intake manifold wont fit.

 

i dont want to use my 305 heads because i will need them in my car until i go to do the swap so that will not work for me.

here are some heads i found on CL but i have no clue what to look for in a good head.

CHEVROLET CYLINDER HEADS STAMP # - (333882) 350-400, 1974 TO 1980, 76cc, 160/60cc ports

 

if you use those heads you will have to use a different intake manifold(1986 or older)

look for a set of aluminum L98 heads. they came on corvette L98 cars. im not sure but i think the casting is like 113 or something.

 

you can find the vortecs for cheap. but another head that is cheaper and easier to find (less desirable) are the efi swirl port heads. i have a pair on my S10 and the torque is awesome. and yes the fall on their face after 4Krpm.