Hello, I have a pretty easy one today. I've been browsing for a while and I can't find the answer I'm looking for. I know that 87 and up 350 heads are different than the older ones due to the four middle bolt holes being tapped at a different angle. My question is are the blocks the same? Would I be able to take a set of older heads, let's say from a 1980 motor and bolt it on to my 88?

 

Yes, direct fit.

All of the gen 1 small blocks are pretty much the same.
The only real changes was 2 pc rear main seal to 1 pc rear main seal
Center intake bolt angles
Center bolt valve covers
Self aligning rocker arms
Roller cam

You could take 1962 327 heads and bolt to your 1988 350 block, or even bolt them to a 2000 L31 vortec 350 block for that matter.

If you use the older heads you would just need to use the older style non self aligning rockers, older style valve covers with the bolts around the side, drill your center intake bolt holes out or use an older style intake.

 

There were other differences:

'55-'56 didn't have an oil filter mount
'55-'57 didn't have side engine mount bosses
'55-'58-1/2 had staggered valve cover perimeter bolts
'55-'67 had "draft tube" crankcase ventilation (cast into the back of the lifter valley)
'55-67 had the oil fill built into the intake manifold
'55-'68(-ish - have to double-check the exact year) heads didn't have the accessory bolt holes on the ends of the heads
'55-'74 heads didn't have hardened exhaust valve seats (or valves)

But, in answer to the OP's question, none of those affected bolting heads onto the block. So, yes, you can bolt the older heads onto your '88 block.

Be aware that most factory 350 heads prior to the '87 TPI were not very good from a performance or quality standpoint. So, the question you asked begs another question: What are you trying to accomplish?

 

the older rockers aren't self aligning: the pushrods were guided by machined notches in the head itself. they went to self aligning rockers with the center bolt heads in 87.. but yeah, other than that, the heads are an easy swap. i put a set of iron L98 heads off an 87 Caprice cop car in place of the 882's in my 74 Monte Carlo in about 4 hours, which included the time it took to hog out the center bolts in my Weiand intake to fit the newer heads.

but honestly, the only factory heads that are worth swapping onto any small block are the 96 and newer vortecs, which use the 87 and up rocker arms and a special intake manifold.. yeah, it costs more than whatever random heads you can get your hands on for free or cheap, but it is so very worth it..

 

I would hope you wouldn't do that- take a 80 head and bolt on your 88, go the other way, take the 96 and up vortec head and bolt on your 88, you will be much more power ahead.

my sons car for the most part, stock bottom end 350 ( bored .030" but cheap 80 dollar pistons much farther down the hole then stock .037" vs stock was .026" +/-) with a bigger 234/244 @ .050" cam with a set of high mileage vortec heads I bought ( two pair used was 80 bucks and I picked the best pair of the two sets and sold the other pair for 100 bucks), tore them down
and inspected them and did an ever so slight bowl blend almost not even worth noting but to be fair of what I did.

changed the springs,retainers and keepers with alexspring kit and put the heads back together with factory seats and all.

With a cheap 100 dollar vortec procomp intake the car has ran so far a best of 12.63@ 108.41 mph.

The engine is nothing, but basic parts on the cheap and fast for my 17 year old son.

The heads are the best gm ever did factory for the sbc, you have the vortecs next to say an older sbc head and you would never use the old crap again, specially if on a budget. I know I never will bother with the old sbc heads again doing any sbc budget build in the future.

To make this simple, the vortecs flow damn near just as well as an entry level aluminum after market head does. With some simple porting of the vortec it will match or beat the entry level aluminum heads, just can't go wrong with vortec heads. specially if the on a budget.

I think I figured I spent an extra 150 bucks using the vortec heads vs standard sbc heads when I built my sons 355 sbc, I had to have heads anyways, had to buy intake anyways, and springs and such, so the difference between the two head styles was only about 150 bucks extra, I will say it was well worth it.

I built the same 355 engine using the older fully home ported 441 heads I think maybe 882 but never the less older sbc heads and from a few outings at the track it ran 13.2 at 103 mph, the vortec version is already at 12.63 @ 108.41 mph, same cam, same compression, same size carb, same stall, same tranny. much of the same stuff. Vortecs really do make a difference over the older heads.

I know this is a little more information then you even asked for, but it's good to know.

hope this helps.

 

FWIW.....

I believe that early 1987 production did not have self-aligning rockers. My '87 (Production Date of Dec 1986 and factory stock) does not have self-aligning rockers. The casting dates on the heads are J166 (Oct 16, 1986) and J206 (Oct 20, 1986), respectively. However, the VC's are centerbolt.

It's best to check the pushrod holes to determine if self-aligning rockers are needed or not.

 

'88 model year was the start of self-aligning rocker arms. These cars all being over 20 years old, it's best to check the type of pushrod hole your heads have and forget what year the engine is supposed to be.

For example: Several years ago (like 2000), I picked up a complete '87 LB9 that I planned on using to upgrade my LG4. It did have roller lifters/cam, but it had dished .040"-over pistons, one 081 head and one swirlport head (which didn't come out until the '88 model year).

Moral of the story: Always check.