block/head combo questions

[seanrolandwood]

so before i get the how the fu@k do you not know this sh&t already comments, sorry I've never really messed around with anything other than direct replacement stuff this truck is my first venture into doin stuff on my own as well so i need to ask the painfully obvious stuff so here it goes.......
i have a run of the mill 350 010 block and i need new heads it's currently is running an old set of 3932441 heads 1.90 1.50 74cc heads i want to put vortec heads on as i hear they flow well... from there the info gets confusing as 1 person says you need this while others say another thing so can any one lay it out for me....not well i hear this and so on maybe someone whos done this already...
basically i need to know what all I'll need to do this correctly im not into cutting coners: specific intake? cam? year of heads that work? and anything im not thinking of thanks for any and all help

[AcampoDave]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=568647 Sean, why assurme that we would assail you with profanitiy laced questions?

[seanrolandwood]

Thanks for the link i seadched and searched but i dont computer very well...... Dave well maybe the attitude down in acampo(near galt? used to work at forest lake golf course) is a little different, but here in Sacramento if you're not somehow related or come with refrences people up here wouldn't give you time day the car scene here is much like high school you have the cool kids i.e. the poor boys, hecklers and so on and a bunch of other elitest that are too busy with their cuffed jeans and pomade to actually help or maybe its cause im not some 20yr + builder of hot rods and lets not forget my favorite the ones who drive around in their old ladys civic and run your ride down cause you should've done this or that or ect ect, then you have the old timers who are probably tired of the aforementioned groups and stopped helping people like me years ago and then there's people like me always loved classic cars and trucks played with a few here and there but i always just bought stuff from the shelves put it on now while im in no intimidated by the task and i have the skills to pull it off just not the know how as far as what parts fit what(buget build), what needs to be done to do so and is it worth doin so i got questions much like a kid......why? why? and i can see how no one whants to spend the time explaining something that they see as beneath them as in its run of the mill everyday stuff i should know......so yeah my frustration is at it limits why is it so hard to find someone thats like hey you like the same stuff i do rad, lets see if i cant help but all i tend to find is half hearted offers to help and criticism its seems more are interested in dying with their knowlege rater than see live on which what i thought this whole community was about was helpping eachother out and seeing that the nuggets of knowledge make it to the next generation

[Monte's62]

Hi Sean, I believe you will get some help here, but you might have to give it a little time. Just like the link AcampoDave sent, there are plenty of guys to help, and I don't think any of them are looking to carry all their knowledge to the grave with them. Those guys aren't members or don't know about this site.
I have not done this exact head swap, but I have read a few people here that have. The intake is different, and I can't tell you the exact cam# but you will want to do a cam swap too I'm sure. I would call comp cams and ask them specifically which one you would need.
Good luck my friend

[AcampoDave]

Sean, there is also an engine and drivetrain subforum on this site.(log in for the most options and click the white "forum jump" box at the bottom) There are a few regulars over there who aren't often over here and they are also quite knowledgeable. It really is the better place for the type of question you had today. Many times you can get your answers fast by using the search box at the top of the forum index but your results are best if you click the blue dot over to the 67-72chevy trucks side of the search box. That's how found the link for you today.

[Captainfab]

The Vortec heads were used from '96-'02 only. Some will tell you that all center bolt valve cover heads are Vortec heads....not true. Then you will need an Vortec specific intake manifold and a good set of intake gaskets. The Fel Pro MS98000T are the best. Of course you will also need head gaskets. Unless you are going to have the heads machined for screw in studs and guide plates, you will need the self aligning rocker arms. Depending on just what cam you go with, screw in studs may be a good idea. Screw in studs can be used without guide plates. What cam to use will depend on what compression you end up with and the intended usage of your truck. One thing that has been debated some is that the Vortec heads lack what I know as the thermostat bypass port. Some say it is not needed, some say just plumb one externally, some say drill a couple holes in the thermostat and I say just drill the necessary hole in the head. Hope that helps.

[johnmiller66]

Please tell me more about this thermostat bypass port. I am have a 72 block with 062 vortecs on it. It is all assembled but hasn't been started yet. This is the first I've heard of this. Do I need to take something back apart and make it right.
Thanks.

[seanrolandwood]

thank you all for the links and information sounds like the hardest part will be actually finding vortec heads lots out there claiming to be vortecs but going through the links theres only 2 castings #'s that are actually vortec maybe someone can answer this i was going through a site listing all sbc cylinder heads numbers there were 2 heads avaible with the "062 #'s one an L-31 with 1.94/1.5 64cc 1998 only and one 1.94/1.5 68cc heads how would i identify which was which without having to trust a stanger trying to sell me whatever what vehicles were equiped with the L-31 head???

casting # information from outintheshop.com

[Captainfab]

Since your engine is all together, I wouldn't worry about taking a head back off just for a thermostat bypass. If you have one of the Edelbrock intakes, you can plumb an external bypass. Do you have a short water pump as should be in a '72?

Originally Posted by johnmiller66

Please tell me more about this thermostat bypass port. I am have a 72 block with 062 vortecs on it. It is all assembled but hasn't been started yet. This is the first I've heard of this. Do I need to take something back apart and make it right.
Thanks.

There are only 2 casting numbers used on the '96-'02 L31 Vortec 350. Those are the 062 and 906's. Another way to ID the Vortec heads is that there are only 4 intake bolt holes per head instead of the typical 6. Also be aware that the OEM Vortec heads are prone to cracking. I would suggest google images for Vortec heads. That will give you some visual idea what they look like. Depending on your budget and what your local machine shop charges to rebuild a set of SBC heads, you might consider a set of new heads, either GM or aftermarket. Most of the aftermarket heads are heavier castings that aren't prone to cracking and some have improved flow.

Originally Posted by seanrolandwood

thank you all for the links and information sounds like the hardest part will be actually finding vortec heads lots out there claiming to be vortecs but going through the links theres only 2 castings #'s that are actually vortec maybe someone can answer this i was going through a site listing all sbc cylinder heads numbers there were 2 heads avaible with the "062 #'s one an L-31 with 1.94/1.5 64cc 1998 only and one 1.94/1.5 68cc heads how would i identify which was which without having to trust a stanger trying to sell me whatever what vehicles were equiped with the L-31 head???

casting # information from outintheshop.com

[johnmiller66]

I put a short water pump on it. I don't have an Edelbrock intake. I have a gm performance intake of of a fastburn 385 motor. I believe it's just like a performer rpm though. I will do some research on the external bypass.

[Captainfab]

Edelbrock makes the aluminum intakes for GM. I can't find a good pic of the front of the intake that you have, but I would think it would have the same configuration on the front as a Performer RPM. The Performer RPM has a port on the front that can be used for a bypass. It can be plumbed much like a BBC. Of course there are variations. Just google 'Vortec intake manifold thermostat bypass' and click images and you will get several pics to look at. I think Edelbrock has instructions for connecting the bypass, but it is for the L31 Vortec water pump. You might check their website.

[johnmiller66]

Thank you. I will check it out. My intake does have a small tapped hole on the front so I just basically need to run a hose from the top threaded hole on the short water pump to that small hole on the intake.

[Captainfab]

I believe that should work.