Road Racer

What year did Vortec heads first come out? How can you tell if a vehicle has Vortec heads?

Smokehouse69

96 thru 99 Chevy and GMC pickups, Suburbans, Tahoe, and Blazers. There were two types of Vortec heads, small heads were used on the small V-8 truck engine, the larger L31 heads were used on all 5.7 V-8s.
The ones you want are L31, 5.7 heads. You can tell for sure by looking at the casting numbers which are visible through the oil filler hole on the rocker cover.
According to the Mortec website the casting numbers are as follows.

10239906...96-up...350.........."Vortec 5700", "L31", 64cc chamber,
170cc intake port, 1.94"/1.5" valves
12552520...97-up...305..........Vortec, truck
12558059...97......305..........Vortec, truck, 1.84"/1.5" valves
12558062...98......350..........L31 Vortec, truck, 64cc chambers, 1.94/1.5, 170cc intake port

BTW I have a set of L31 heads in very good shape for sale, complete with rockers, and center bolt covers, for $430.00, exactly what I paid for them.

page62

Hmmm...sounds tempting. Wouldn't cost much more than the valve seal job I'm facing. Three questions:
What's the condition of the heads you're selling?
What are the specific advantages of Vortec heads?
Don't you need a different intake manifold?

Smokehouse69

The heads are in great shape, I've pulled the valves and the guides and seats are like new. The stem seals are in like new shape also. All you have to do is bolt them on and go! They claim 30-40 hp over stock heads with no other changes.
Yes, they do need a new intake, but I have one of those for sale too! Edelbrock Vortec Performer, $135.00 brand new, never out of the box it cost me $155.00 on sale. I'll even throw in a set of intake gaskets and a single Felpro 1010 head gasket (They cost $35.00 each) you'll another gasket.
I've got a bunch of other stuff for sale, new Comp Xe262 cam/lifters, cloyes double roller timing set, etc. Email me if you are interested. Since your in SA, I'll deliver the stuff to you, if you pay for my gas. :D

page62

Let me ponder on it a while...I still haven't paid for the 200-4r tranny!

Are you coming to the Corvette-only show in New Braunfels on Sept. 7? If yes, we'll see you there! :seeya

Smokehouse69

If I get the ZZ-4 installed in my car by then, I'll be there! New Braunfels is a nice cruise from my parents house in Schertz.