hdpete98

Can anyone recommend a shop in southern california that can port heads for a gen 1 SBC?

toddalin

Twenty-odd years ago Flow Technology did the heads on my '64 as well as the intake manifold, and their work is outstanding. At the time, the heads were $300 and included: cut and hog from 1.94/1.50 to 2.02/1.60, new valves and inserts, install hardened exhaust seats, pocket porting, 3-angle valve job, and gasket matching.

Was $25 to later gasket match a Performer RPM.

I believe that these were the guys, but check and see if it is still them (and don't count on these prices anymore).

http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_j7bztz

pauldana

I had my heads done by Adams metelizing in Lancaster Ca, they were Sportsman II and the guy that ported them (Toby) said he can make them flow better than he can make Edelbrock RPM heads flow... I believe him... i have 436tq and over 440hp at the rear wheels on my 383.... there number is 661 942-9538 ask for Mark, and tell them Paul sent you... my heads were Ported, polished and portmatched... good luck... Paul

Solid LT1

Funny this thread should come up, I'm getting ready to bolt these on to the 355 for my wife's 70 LT-1 Vette and NO the date codes don't match. I could have had a nice set of aluminum heads for the time and $$$ I have tied up in these but, they look right on an LT-1 motor

Solid LT1

Combustion chambers still need a little work, then I'll have to finanlize the valve job (Sunnen VGS20 machine with carbide cutter), and then the fun job of equalizing combustion chamber volumes can begin (hope I don't break another 100cc burret while doing that job.)

The exhaust port roof is raised about 0.080-0.100" and should flow pretty well. These heads have been treated to hardened exhaust seats, Manley severe duty 2.05"int/1.60"ehx valves. Springs will be Comp Cams "beehive" with tool steel retainers which weigh about 2grams each more than a set of titanium retainers.

DRIVESHAFT

You might try Dr J's in Anaheim. http://www.j-performance.com/index.p...d=16&Itemid=30
I havent had any personal dealings with him, but he seems to have a decent online reputation.

Solid LT1

You could UPS them to Nor-Cal to Amaral's Engine Parts & Machine 45405 Industrial Place Unit#1 Fremont, CA 94538

(510) 656-9352 ask for Dan, tell him Eric sent you

427Hotrod

Unless you're just married to them for numbers or something...you might get some pricing and then look into buying a set of CNC heads. There is great stuff available out there!

JIM

lars

For the cost of paying somebody who knows what they're doing to fully port and build your heads, you can buy a really nice set of heads that don't need any porting to flow the same or better. For the cheap cost of paying somebody who doesn't know what they're doing, you can get yourself a pair of trashed heads that flow worse than stock, and then you can buy yourself a really nice set of heads to replace them.

Unless you want the car to appear stock, or you're running it in a class requiring the use of stock castings, there is little financial advantage to porting, unless you're doing it yourself, you know what you're doing, and your time has no value.

Lars

Solid LT1

Yes I could put a set of (insert name here) heads on it for less money but, because the Vette is a LT-1 car, I want the "camel humps" on the heads. I have an advantage on most people, I have access to an automotive machine shop/equipment 24hrs a day 7 days a week. I realize my time has little value but, I like being able to tell people my wife's 70 LT-1 is "pretty much stock" after making a 12 second pass down the strip:

PRICELESS!

cardo0

I've seen some fast cars with head work done by Spring Valley auto machine but can't find thier listing now - maybe out of business.
Best way i know of is to go the drag strip and ask the guys with the faster cars who does thier machine work.
Not local but great prices on head work: Performance Chevy Products, 2995 W Whitton Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85017, (602) 254-9586.

What kind's heads? Most stock type iron Chevy heads respond very well to just a cheap $200 pocket port with a 3 angle vlv job - Performance Chevy Products will pocket port, unshroud vlvs,, and 3 angle for less. (Try an 0.015" steel shim gasket too.) Something like 2/3 the gain of a full port job maybe. Well it depends on the head also. Vortec heads don't inprove much from a pocket port if at all - they need bigger valves, vlv unshrouding and bowl work around the guide - $$$$.

Hope this helps ya,
cardo0

SanDiegoPaul

When I first built my motor, the heads were done at Total Performance in Santee. They lasted five years and 20K miles before busting a spring and being replaced by AFR 195's

Wanna buy some ported & polished cast heads with a bad spring?

SanDiegoPaul

I agree with Lars completely. I didn't buy good heads when I built the motor and had to in later and fix it.