I have a 355 in my 1984 TA it was running the stock 882 heads with stock style pistons 5cc valve reliefs. Driving down the road I broke a rocker stud and bent a pushrod. After taking off the intake and other items to replace the rod and check the lifter I decided to just replace the heads with something a bit more fun. I picked up a set of patriot iron vortec heads.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Patriot+Perfor...151K1/10002/-1

I still have some picture to upload but here is what I have so far.

The install is finished but I need to readjust the rockers using the EOIC method. Instead I used the incorrect method of EOIO and I need to fix that. I also need to fix the timing. I was getting some backfiring though the carb under load in 4th and 5th and I retarded the timing to compensate.

I later learned vortecs will backfire without enough timing and I need to advance it. I will get these items taken care of later after it stops raining here.

The heads fit properly and the valve sealed well when I sprayed WD40 into the intake and exhaust ports to see if any leaked out. Difficulty I ran across were all related to the intake manifold from edelbrock. I am running a edelbrock vortec manifold and I had to oblong the mounting holes. I was warned about this by patriot when I asked them for install tips.

Start up went fairly smooth after I got the plug wires in the right place.

The manifold being painted



The heads




Cylinder wall




A lifter showing little wear. I took them all out and inspected them for wear



Broken stud old heads





New heads installed more pictures to come soon

 

Nice I love projects like this.

 

If your block was decked, that might be why you had to oblong the intake bolt holes.

 

Good call. I know the block was bored 30 over and it may have been decked.

 

Did the EOIC method lifters are a little less noisy. I think I will probably need to recheck them later.

I also advanced the timing to 10 degrees and it fixed the backfires. After a quick test drive I decided to go to 12 and it really fixed the slugish low RPM feeling the car had. I may play more but it is getting time to put the car away.

Overall the car seems to be running well. A fair bit more power but I think I can do better playing with the timing and the carb. I will probably play more next spring advancing the timing more and maybe try my buds 750 carb.


Here are some more pics

 

Played with the carb a bit more this weekend.

No more stuttering, backfires and no pinging. These heads are great. I know with some more tuning I can get some more power out of them but there already awesome. So much low end power even with a very small about of throttle and they really take off when you hit the gas. I am going to store the car soon and work on the cars electrical this winter. I will resume tuning in the spring and try my friends 750cfm carb then.

 

very nice! just bought a set of these heads for my holley stealth ram. my buddy is going to pick out a cam and assemble it this winter/spring. you should post a video of the car running or driving.

 

I will get a video in the spring. For now the car is in storage and it is time to clean up the electrical. I got a new timing light with timing adjustments so I can make sure I am around 34 degrees full advance at 2500 rpm. I am really looking forward to getting the car running right I just hope I can make my trans and rear end hold. That is why I am not getting wider tires.

 

keep in mind the intake manifold bolt angles and port shapes and locations are very slightly changed and are different on vortec heads


standard small port intake on vortec heads, in many cases you can get them modified to fit BUT NOT ALWAYS

 

I used a edelbrock vortec manifold.

 

Got the timing correct on the car now. It was at 27 degrees at 3000 now I have it at 34 HUGE difference. I am really digging these heads.