Good deal?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/272621168769

 

From a good machine shop i'd say that would normally be a good price. I dont know about that ebay seller however with only a 82% positive feedback

 

Yeah, his negatives are all regarding response time, not product quality. But I hear you.

 

Do you have cores?

"As part of the transaction we REQUIRE your core cylinder head be returned to us."

 

Ahhh that explains the price

 

yeah stock 305 cores

I inquired about the core, and whether my 305 SBC heads were worth anything to them.

 

Really. So they will take any 305 head as a core, not just the Vortec 305 head?

 

no, not sure, I have only asked at this point, I have not gotten an answer, sorry if I wasn't clear.

I'd be OK with even a partial core charge if it wasn't excessive.

 

I've been eyeing L30 heads for a while. I can find them on CL here from time to time in $100 range. Whole L30s for $200. But then you have to check for cracks, and if good, invest more. So this is certainly an attractive price. I'll be following along to see what they tell you.

If they take any old heads as cores, I have some that would be good for that (not my originals).

Now, I'm no machinist. But having been around the hobby for 40 some years, you learn a thing or two. Even if you aren't trying. And there are a few things in that ad that I am curious about.

1) "Pressure tested to ensure a crack and leak-free head."

Is this an acceptable substitute for maxnafluxing?

2) "Guides replaced/repaired as necessary"

Repaired? So knurled? Or is there some other more modern method? Having a local set redone might cost more, but would probably include new guides across the board...pretty important stuff. (FYI...I'm not anti-knurling, in the right application)

3) "CBN milled to ensure straightness within .0015" and an excellent finish"

What's a CBN? Not an acronym I'm familiar with. Hopefully similar amounts off both heads?

4) "New valve seals on every head."

A must, so glad to see it. Though I think most folks here seem to recommend a change to a different type of seal, and you likely would not be getting that.

5) No mention of springs. So I "assume" (dangerous) that they are at least pressure checked, and if low, shimmed or replaced?

 

Honestly I would just go with one of the EQ 305 Vortec replacement heads. They already have springs upgraded for .520" lift and the EQ 350 heads I found on the engine that was in a 1999 Tahoe I bought were a better casting than the GM casting in every way imaginable. If you look closely you will realize that these heads are also already setup for screw in studs and guide plates at which point you can run non self aligning full roller rockers.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVROLET-5...9UtZxm&vxp=mtr

 

That looks like another excellent option. I'm guessing no core on those?

Edit - yes, no core, listing says no core charge.

Nice!

 

Yeah the EQ are nice

 

Are those based on a Chinese casting? Personal choice, but I couldn't do that.

Also, you're now up to $780 to your door. Getting on up into aluminum head territory. Hard to say how close is too close before you go aluminum, but this is another step or two in that direction.

 

Why not just go to a junkyard and pick them off of a car and then go to a machine shop and have them port them? Around me, i've found vortec heads for $300 a pair, plus I can't imagine a machine shop would cost that much to machine them ( a few hundred dollars). At least you know who machined them and then you don't have to deal with the ebay stuff. Don't have to listen to me, but I would pass on them, especially if you have to give them the core.

 

The L30 head is not the same head in design as the L31 head. I don't know if the 059s are light years ahead and much better than the 081. Id get a set of L31 heads and mill down to 58cc if I was going the Vortec head route on a 305.

 

True, the L30 head is not a mirror image of the L31. But the numbers seem to bear out that the "Vortec treatment" (heads, intake, exhaust, cam, high voltage switch, etc.) was just as effective on the 305 as on the 350.

L03 TBI 305 170hp, L30 305 230. +60hp.

L05 TBI 350 200hp, L31 350 255hp. +55hp.

 

A TPI 305 will make 230 HP all day long even the autos if you uncork the L03 exhaust they choked them down with. Id love to see some flow numbers on the stock 059s and 081s. I may be wrong but I don't think theres a lot of difference there.

 

The 059s are light years ahead of the 081 heads. Flow ALOT better than the 081s. Also the 520/059s have a very abbreviated swirl ramp in the intake port to get a quicker burn than the 081s. It adds up to more torque and more HP. I did a basically stock 059 head, cut for 1.94/1.60s with very little port work and it was in the 250I/200E cfm range. The Vortec raised ports help ALOT.

Keep in mind the Vortec 305 trucks use a dished piston for 9.4:1 CR, a smaller 191/196 @ .050 cam and horribly restrictive single cat exhaust system. The Vortec truck intake is also HORRIBLE when it comes to flow. Finally the trucks are also rated spinning a mechanical engine fan. The Marine 305 Vortec with a better flowing intake manifold, a 196/206 @ .050 cam, and very restrictive wet exhaust is 260 HP @ 4,800 and 300 TQ @ 3,800.

I also have a L30 engine that I slapped rings/bearings and a 218/218 @ .050 flat tappet cam into at about 250K miles. I put it in place of a L31 in a 1999 Tahoe. Now has close to 300K on it. It put down close to 270 RWHP.

 

Sounds good. Maybe they are an upgrade. I do have a friend that used 059s on a 350 mild R/V flat tappet cam and he claims it runs very well over the stock 350 TBI heads

 

Have you ever heard back from these folks, FART_NUGGETS?

 

Yea $90 per head for core. they send a prepaid label. But I don't have any vortec cores...... so cost would be $779 for the pair. $345 each, not too bad.

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F292446327340

 

Nice. Needed 059's for my little 305.

 

OK, good to know. Thanks.

Low price, but as far as I can see in that add, completely undefined as to what they did to the heads to "re-manufacture" them. The previous heads F_N posted give you a fair amount of detail on what they did, and how they did it.

 

Seen a set locally fresh out machine shop other day $400. IMA hold out for 45 more cubes and 062s myself

 

I got a complete Vortec engine from a guy that parts out full size trucks for $200 - blown intake manifold gasket. Inside it was fine.

My machine shop charges about $300 to rebuild a set.

Those are so common it's not worth shipping them. Find a set locally a deal with your local machinist.

GD

 

Wow. Wish Ms was a little closer to Mi.

 

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...14005/10002/-1

???

 

Hope to buy a crate vortec or put one together in the next year. I'm gona use an 049 TPI cam ive had put back along with my hooker headers collecting dust and waiting, and try to run my TBI maybe. The TBI has been a great maintenance free system so far.

 

My guess (since they don't specify) is that those are an L31 casting for a 350. On a 305, you will lose compression. That's why I'm hoping to find 059s.

But that is a good price, from a good source.

 

They call out 64cc chambers so yes L31