Double hump heads on a 81-87?

[ChaseDale3and8]

I have my 350 apart right now and found out that the heads that were on it are no good. I got a second set from my dad that came off of one of his running engines, and my machinist just told me that they are no good either. They are cracked really bad.

My machinist has a set of the old double hump heads that he already ported and polished out, and they already have 1.94 and 1.50 stainless valves. They are ready to go for $325. The thing is are there any brackets out there that will allow me to run these heads on my old 86? I have A/C that works and I really want to keep it as well as my power steering.

Have any of you put a set of these heads on these later model trucks, and if so how did you do it, and where did you get, or how did you make the brackets for the accessories? I'd appreciate some pics if any of you have done this to see what I need to do.

If I can find a way to make these work, buying them is a no-brainer. He is holding them for me until I can find out if there's a way to mount all the accessories up. Thanks in advance for replies guys. ...Joe

[Walts_restoration]

kinda weird both sets of heads are bad, kinda suspecious if you ask me. Personally, id get some dart iron eagles, accesorsy bolt holes and brand new head that will outflow the double humps. The only thing ill put my double humps on are period correct cars, like a 65 chevelle.

[benoit454]

I thought the accessory holes were in the same spot on any of them. if not maybe some older style a/c brackets will work.


The way I see is old school double humps are cheaper then new ones even stock replacements, I'd run them in a heartbeat.

[69BBsuburban]

Originally Posted by benoit454

I thought the accessory holes were in the same spot on any of them. if not maybe some older style a/c brackets will work.

Early double hump heads don't have any accessory holes.....
Even though early double humps are good heads, esp. the 327's with factory 2.02/1.60's..... You'd probably be better off finding another set of heads with holes, if you have alot of accessories to mount.

[Walts_restoration]

sometime in the 80s they switched form the big compressors to the small ones, so the old compressor mounts wouldn't work. Then youd need powersteering brackets too.

[Pyrotechnic]

If it was a budget performance build in a race/fun car that didn't need more than an alternator and a water pump, then good deal. For a street truck, not worth it. You spend so much in brackets that the heads would not be worth it. Back in the day it was worth it because those were the heads to have so making a custom set of brackets was just was people did. There's so many better heads out there now though that DO have accessory holes already.

You are far better of getting a set of Vortec heads, either new or used, and an intake manifold to match. Awesome performance, and accessory holes.

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

If it was a budget performance build in a race/fun car that didn't need more than an alternator and a water pump, then good deal. For a street truck, not worth it. You spend so much in brackets that the heads would not be worth it. Back in the day it was worth it because those were the heads to have so making a custom set of brackets was just was people did. There's so many better heads out there now though that DO have accessory holes already.

You are far better of getting a set of Vortec heads, either new or used, and an intake manifold to match. Awesome performance, and accessory holes.

I agree. Even the Summit Racing brand heads are a good "driver" type head and not too hard on the wallet. Plus,you open the box, bolt them on and drive.

[Grande Rojo]

Go buy these vortec heads they are not that far from us.
http://www.mokandragway.com/forum/vi...hp?f=4&t=19464

I have a set on my 86 with air and power stering. They make great power. PM me if want to take a look at it.

[ChaseDale3and8]

Originally Posted by Walts_restoration

kinda weird both sets of heads are bad, kinda suspecious if you ask me. Personally, id get some dart iron eagles, accesorsy bolt holes and brand new head that will outflow the double humps. The only thing ill put my double humps on are period correct cars, like a 65 chevelle.

I know that you are thinking that my machinist may be crooked here. Well, I can assure you that he isn't. I have known this guy for over 25 years. If something isn't worth messing with I trust his judgement on what he says as to whether or not it is good or not.

I have never had a lick of trouble with anything that he has done for me in over 25 years of dealing with him. This guy is 70 years old now and is the best and most reasonable machinist in this area in my opinion. He has always treated me, my family, and friends right on everything that he has done for us. A lot of the local drag and stock car boys use him exclusively. You don't get repeat business like he does by being crooked. I went to school with his kids and know him very well, so I can say all of this with confidence.

That being said, both sets of the heads that I took to him were in unknown condition. I was suspicious of the set that came off of my 350. They just didn't visually look right to me and that's why I took them in to get checked out. The second set that I took in that I got from dad came off of one of his 350s that he pulled out of his own truck that had jumped time. He didn't want to fool with it, and opted to put a new motor in his, so he gave me this one for a builder, or parts, whatever I wanted to do with it.

We didn't know if that set of heads would be any good either. Turned out that they were so cracked that they are just going to be scrapped after we save the salvageable parts such as the valves and maybe the valve springs.

Now I'm back at square one again. These double hump heads would very well be worth what he asked me for them. He had a $450 price tag on them but is willing to sell them to me for what he has in them. Just check eBay and see just how much double hump heads are on there, then price a set of Darts. I am trying to do this 350 on a budget because I have a 383 in the works for later on. I bought a set of bare Dart angle plug heads for it, so I know how much the difference in price is.

This 350 is going to be a rather mild street engine with a Comp Cams 280 Magnum hydraulic cam. The double hump heads with 64cc chambers along with this cam would make it run pretty good in my opinion. I just need to find a way to make my accessories all work with them. ...Joe

[Pyrotechnic]

Well if you must use the double hump heads, you can do what everyone did in the 70's and custom make your brackets.

OR

If you got some cash to spend, check out Alan Grove Components. They make brackets specifically for heads without accessory holes.

http://www.alangrovecomponents.com/

[Pushrod226]

No accessory holes on the $325 heads? That sucks! I've got a set with and a set without. I've had no problem with the small valved accessory holed heads on my 350. I don't see why people talk down on the camel backs. They were the best GM factory heads you could find for a small block for many years.... Shamed a bunch of mustangs back in the 90's with em' in my malibu.

Haven't found anything to run the non acc. holed heads on yet for myself. Though I've seen a few welded, faced and tapped for accessories.

[77 350 Shorty Wide]

Hey Hey All, My .02 cents if it matters......
The price is right "for a car that was designed for them". But when you start figuring in the price of brackets to make them work on a vehicle that they weren't intended to be used on (the bracketry that was designed & came equipped on your vehicle) you loose all the benefits of the great price.
Can you get heads that are better (performance wise) the answer is yes.
At a price that is comparable, Yes!
With that said... if you want them and you can figure out a way of using them... I say go for it it's your time & money! I on the other hand would NOT!

God Bless, Terry

[lester622]

If hes and engine builder/machinest then he can drill and tap the accessory holes in the head, thats what most ppl do are u can go with the alan grove brackets, but like said before the vortec heads out flow them.

[manimal]

For jew a couple hundred more,go with the vortecs,OR a set of World SR heads. It's gonna turn into a clusterF*** getting those fuelie heads to work on your truck. Good Luck.
-Lance

[larry may]

I gave Joe a set of heads that are good for some much higher HP for stock heads. Mortech says 330 HP. Well they are decent cylinder heads low mile heads and very rebuilable. He was wrestling with needing brackets and more aggravation and short on time and funds to make this happen. When I recognize a fellow board member needing a hand I offer that if I can be of help. These heads are drilled and tapped for accessories. Good luck with the project Joe. BTW. Your sons are well mannered and very polite . Good Boys..........

[ChaseDale3and8]

Many thanks again for the heads Larry! Got 'em back from the machine shop and they look better than a brand new set! They make the shortblock look bad now! Think I'm going to go ahead and freshen the bottom end up while it's all apart so that I KNOW what I have in there. Not going to cost very much more for the peace of mind, and then it will be fresh from top to bottom!

As far as these two boys, man they have you fooled! Ask Bobbo sometime about how they really are at home. He's been over here a few times and this place is like a zoo! ...Joe

[larry may]

For the boyz actions don't for get you were one too at some point in your life.Bet they will stick with you 100%.............Have fun.Larry