i emailed patriot about there part number 2168 heads wondering if they would fit my 89 L98 bird and got this back,

"On some of the later TPI engines the center two intake bolt holes are at a different angle than the rest. If that is the case these heads will not work in your application. If all of yours are on the same angle, these heads will work."

im not sure how to check this and im really not sure what he is talking about. can anyone help me out as to what this means and if they fit? if so what gasket should i order for them?

 

On early SBCs all the intake manifold bolts point straight into the heads perpendicular to the intake mating surface. One the later models the bolts in the middle... think around where the carburetor would be if it had a carb, they are at a different angle, I think straight down towards the ground.

If all of your intake bolts are pointing the same direction (each side will be opposite, obviously, but you get the idea) then it will work.

I'm pretty sure by 89 you have the newer intake bolt pattern that will not work.

 

thats what i was afraid of thanks for clearing that up. i guess the search continues...

 

You can take your manifold and grind a notch at an angle to make the bolt holes line up for a pre 87 head design. Old trick works fine with no problems.

 

yeah i cant find any heads for 87 up intake bolt pattern. is that the common thing guys around here do?