Which iron heads to use on my stock 402???

[jkade]

The motor is a bone stock rebuild. I have bought a edelbrock pro flow for oval port and a set of flowtech headders. My question is I heard I would be better off with a set of closed chamber heads. What do I need, some off a 396, 427 or a 454?

[Tcal]

I'm not sure if 454 heads will fit, but I'm sure you could pick up a pretty good set of 427 heads cheap. There's a set of 702 heads on eBay right now for around $300. I'd say you'll be better off getting some closed port heads to give ya a little more compression ratio

[junkyardjohn]

IF YOU'RE MOTOR IS STOCK THEN YOU DO HAVE CLOSED CHAMBER HEADS. TRUCK HEADS HAVE SMALL COMBUSTION CHAMBERS & LITTLE VALVES. THATS WHY MOST PEOPLE VERY SELDOM USE THEM IN A HIGH PERFORMANCE REBUILD. COMPESSION IS NOT YOUR BIG BLOCKS FRIEND. BELIEVE ME AT TODAYS PRICES YOU SURE DON'T WANT TO BE BUYING PREMIUM & PUTTING IN A BOTTLE OR TWO OF OCTANE BOOSTER WITH EVERY TANK. BEEN THERE..DONE THAT... BUT WHATEVER YOU WANT. I LIKE 049 HEADS. THEY COME ON MID 70s 454 CHEVYS. I PUT BIGGER VALVES IN THEM & POCKET PORT THEM & THEY SEEM TO FLOW REAL WELL FOR ME. JOHN

[jkade]

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

IF YOU'RE MOTOR IS STOCK THEN YOU DO HAVE CLOSED CHAMBER HEADS. TRUCK HEADS HAVE SMALL COMBUSTION CHAMBERS & LITTLE VALVES. THATS WHY MOST PEOPLE VERY SELDOM USE THEM IN A HIGH PERFORMANCE REBUILD. COMPESSION IS NOT YOUR BIG BLOCKS FRIEND. BELIEVE ME AT TODAYS PRICES YOU SURE DON'T WANT TO BE BUYING PREMIUM & PUTTING IN A BOTTLE OR TWO OF OCTANE BOOSTER WITH EVERY TANK. BEEN THERE..DONE THAT... BUT WHATEVER YOU WANT. I LIKE 049 HEADS. THEY COME ON MID 70s 454 CHEVYS. I PUT BIGGER VALVES IN THEM & POCKET PORT THEM & THEY SEEM TO FLOW REAL WELL FOR ME. JOHN

Reckon I would see any real performance gain from doing this?

[jkade]

Originally Posted by Tcal

I'm not sure if 454 heads will fit, but I'm sure you could pick up a pretty good set of 427 heads cheap. There's a set of 702 heads on eBay right now for around $300. I'd say you'll be better off getting some closed port heads to give ya a little more compression ratio

I will check those out.
Thanks, Kade

[junkyardjohn]

YOU BET. IT'LL BE LIKE NITE & DAY. THE STOCK BIG BLOCK TRUCK MOTORS IN THESE OLD TRUCKS WERE LOW RPM HIGH TORQUE MOTORS. A SET OF GOOD FLOWING HEADS, A DECENT CAM, (NOTHING RADICAL) A GOOD ALUM. INTAKE, 750 CFM CARB, HEADERS & DUAL EXHAUST WILL MAKE A NOTICABLE IMPROVEMENT. JOHN

[jkade]

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

YOU BET. IT'LL BE LIKE NITE & DAY. THE STOCK BIG BLOCK TRUCK MOTORS IN THESE OLD TRUCKS WERE LOW RPM HIGH TORQUE MOTORS. A SET OF GOOD FLOWING HEADS, A DECENT CAM, (NOTHING RADICAL) A GOOD ALUM. INTAKE, 750 CFM CARB, HEADERS & DUAL EXHAUST WILL MAKE A NOTICABLE IMPROVEMENT. JOHN

Operating Range: 1800-6000 RPM
Duration Advertised: 274° Intake / 286° Exhaust
Duration @ .050'' Lift: 230° Intake / 236° Exhaust
Valve Lift w/1.7 Rockers: .552'' Intake / .555'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation Angle: 110°
That is the cam they told me to run. I have the edelbrock pro flo efi for it and headders. I ordered some stainless 2 1/2" exhaust for it and I am going from a 3:08 to a 3:73 gear. I guess with the heads and all the other it should be day and night maybe?

[jkade]

bump

[jkade]

What about 781 heads??

[jkade]

Originally Posted by jkade

What about 781 heads??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BIG-B...29311280QQrdZ1
Found these too

[junkyardjohn]

THAT SEEMS LIKE ALOTTA CAM TO ME. "THEY" TOLD YOU THIS IS WHAT YOU NEEDED FOR A STOCK REBUILD??
1st DECIDE WHAT HEADS YOU ARE GOING TO USE
2nd DECIDE WHAT CAM WILL COMPLIMENT YOUR HEAD CHOICE. CALL YOUR CAM MANUFACTURERS TECH. HELP LINE & THEY WILL LET YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT GRIND YOU NEED. BUY A COUPLE OF HOW TO/ BBC PERFORMANCE BOOKS. THEY ARE CHEAP & IT WILL HELP YOU IMMENSELY. JOHN

[jkade]

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

THAT SEEMS LIKE ALOTTA CAM TO ME. "THEY" TOLD YOU THIS IS WHAT YOU NEEDED FOR A STOCK REBUILD??
1st DECIDE WHAT HEADS YOU ARE GOING TO USE
2nd DECIDE WHAT CAM WILL COMPLIMENT YOUR HEAD CHOICE. CALL YOUR CAM MANUFACTURERS TECH. HELP LINE & THEY WILL LET YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT GRIND YOU NEED. BUY A COUPLE OF HOW TO/ BBC PERFORMANCE BOOKS. THEY ARE CHEAP & IT WILL HELP YOU IMMENSELY. JOHN

I forgot that that cam was for the edelbrock rpms. I am torn between you 049's and 781's now. Which is better?

[junkyardjohn]

It's All A Matter Of Opinion. Do The Reserch & Learn What Is Best For You & Why. John

[409biscayne]

I just went and got the numbers off my extra bbc , stamping # T1216 IV on block , head cast # 3804380 ( 8's could be 9's ) L28 8 date casting ?
What have i got ? Supposed to be a 396.
Thanks .................................. 409

[jkade]

What about 148 heads? They are just laying around my old man's shop.
Thanks, kade

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by 409biscayne

I just went and got the numbers off my extra bbc , stamping # T1216 IV on block , head cast # 3804380 ( 8's could be 9's ) L28 8 date casting ?
What have i got ? Supposed to be a 396.
Thanks .................................. 409

TRY THIS SITE...http://www.mortec.com/ JOHN

[409biscayne]

Thank you John . My heads show to be '67 oval port closed chamber 98cc , are these o.k. ? At this point i don't really know what all this engine has , time to pull it down .
Later ........................... 409.

[70rs/ss]

You've got the same set of heads I have, these are the ones ready being searched out for period correct restos on chevelles (1967 in your case 396 SS, and 66 396 SS in mine) those also came on Camaros, nova, corvettes, etc. The 98 cc head is great for more power, but you only need the flat-top pistons to get 9.5-10:1 compression. I have the same 396/402 block as 409 does. Good luck!

[junkyardjohn]

I AGREE IT'S WHAT YOU NEED FOR A PERIOD CORRECT, NUMBERS MATCHING FULL ON RESTORATION. BUT FOR SOMETHING TO DRIVE EVERY DAY ?? I'D GO WITH SOME LATER MODEL OPEN CHAMBER HEADS. (STARTING IN ABOUT 1970) IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THEM REBUILT ANYWAY I'D THINK ABOUT A GOOD PAIR OF USABLE 049 CASTINGS. THEY FLO SO MUCH BETTER & IT GETS YOUR COMPRESSION DOWN TO A MORE LIVABLE NUMBER, MAKING IT MUCH MORE DRIVABLE. JOHN

[1969x11]

Open chamber heads are junk!!!!! Get some thing with a closed chamber,grow some balls Its not like its a daily driver.

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by 1969x11

Open chamber heads are junk!!!!! Get some thing with a closed chamber,grow some balls Its not like its a daily driver.

HMMM.. MORE EXPERT ADVICE. IT'S STATEMENTS LIKE THIS THAT MAKE ME NOT WANNA GIVE ANY ADVICE ON MOTORS. NICE FIRST POST. I SEE YOU'VE BEEN A MEMBER FOR LESS THAN A WEEK.WELCOME FROM KY. I'LL BET YOU COULDN'T WAIT TO POST SOMETHING REALLY INTELLEGENT, TO IMPRESS EVERYONE ON YOUR FIRST POST. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED . JOHN

[Karl Hoh]

If this 402 is a bone stock, it has open chamber domes on the pistons. They will NOT fit into closed chambered heads. 049 has restrictive exhaust ports. 781 are 'bout 120cc and are shrouded beside the intake valve. 214(truck cuz they have exhaust rotators) or 820 are the factory heads for 71-72

[Inthuwind]

Originally Posted by 1969x11

Open chamber heads are junk!!!!! Get some thing with a closed chamber,grow some balls Its not like its a daily driver.

WOW!!! To each his own I guess.

[jkade]

Originally Posted by Karl Hoh

If this 402 is a bone stock, it has open chamber domes on the pistons. They will NOT fit into closed chambered heads. 049 has restrictive exhaust ports. 781 are 'bout 120cc and are shrouded beside the intake valve. 214(truck cuz they have exhaust rotators) or 820 are the factory heads for 71-72

I found out my brother has closed chamber heads on his 72 402 truck and it is stock. I think they are 98 or 101cc heads. He has no problems.

[jkade]

I ended up with some 97cc closed chamber heads. I hearded these wake these motors up.