Hello again everyone. Build up of the 92 is going smoothly so far. However, I have run into a little dilemma. I got a real good price of $500.00 for total machine work on my stock 305 heads from my local machine shop (Know the guy very well, trust the work with my life)

I have found a set of heads off 350 VETTE ENGINE,86'-88'-EFI,194 CC, casting number - 14102193. These heads have already been re-conditioned and look good, but the owner is not "exactly" sure of what has been done to them. He wants $300 for the pair. They are the center-bolt style but will they bolt onto my 305 block without a problem?

I guess my main question (since I know nothing about what the difference in heads are depending on casting number) is, would I be better taking a chance with the 350 heads and save a few bucks, or spend the extra to have trust-worthy work done and know exactly what I have under the hood of my car?

P.S. Anyone that could give me a quick lesson on casting number data please send me a message. I'd very, very much appreciate it!

 

THey are 64/65cc heads depending who you talk to, they are nowhere near 195cc intake runner either. Small swirl port head with small valves.

88 Vettes used the 128 alum. head changed to 113 alum in 89. Not sure what 86-87 used (believe the cc is bigger) but have a feeling this friend with the heads is full of it. Everyone wants to say "Vette xxxx part" thinking they got something special and ask the moon for it, when in fact every sbd head made for a Vette was just as craptastic as the next.

Id keep your stock ones if it is a stock rebuild....however
Youre almost at the cost of a set of Vortec heads, too. Slippery $lope there, careful

 

On the top sticky section of the TBI sections is a post that deals with all these heads.
From what I'm going through and knowing whats been said and learned so far, those 350 heads will not be any better than what you may all ready have and will drop the compression which will take some power away unless you know for fact, how these heads are done.

I would take what you have and get them redone.
The Vortecs are nice and all, but limiting budget amounts aren't going to go well with having to purchase a $200+ intake also.

For $500, what will they be doing to your heads??
$150-$175 per head here gets them totally redone with a 3 angle grind, for $250 a head I would hope some bowl work and porting was done.

 

After posting this I did even more research. From what I found this guy is full of it as well. I found an ad for these heads online so that there made me leary. From my findings, these heads with their casting numbers were actually from 87-95 GM Truck motors. Not even close to a vette. Thank you though for your input. Definitely made my decision easier.

 

He will he decking the heads .003", cleaning the combustion chambers, port and polish, and a competiton valve job. (Not alot can be done with LO3 heads obviously, but what the hell) He will also be installing heavier valve springs to accomidate the LT1 camshaft I will be using. I think this is a pretty good price for what he is going to do.

The guy that will be doing the machine work is a good friend with my father, and my old boss. He is very intelligent with motors and is an engine builder for the NASCAR ARCA Series. I think I am just going to have him do the heads for me. One, because I trust him. And two, I would feel more comfortable knowing exactly what I have in my car...even if it is still "just another 305"

 

Thats cool! Then the price is the same as what I was looking at, just I am getting some bowl hogging done, which I hope they added to yours.
They will flow better than stock and pick ya up a few ponies.
And peace of mind can be everything.

 

Bog hogging?

 

Your last line says it all. Exactly what I was thinking.