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Please forgive me in advance: I have no knowledge *at all* about Corvettes (though I am conversant with engines); this forum was suggested as a place to get an answer to my question. Sorry if it's obvious, but I cannot seem to find the answer by searching the ever-present Google.
I recently inherited property from an uncle who collected...anything that ran, and some that didn't. One of the multitude of boxes had a tag that read "'64 Corvette Heads". The casting numbers are 3782461 L84 with "GM4" underneath that series of numbers, and 3782461 L124 with "GM5" underneath that series. Both series have "64" at a slight angle above the "3". I know from what research I have done is that these are 461 heads, and I *think* they are dated December 8, 1964 and December 12, 1964, respectively.
Here's my question(s):
1) Is there a way to tell if they *actually* came off of a Corvette? I understand that they would be from a 327, but I drove a '67 Camaro that had a 327 engine as well, so...
2) Are they actually a pair?--that is, would it be reasonable to assume that they originally were on the same engine because of the proximity of their dates?
3) To what does the "GM4" and "GM5" refer (besides the obvious General Motors)?
4) I've been offered $200 for them, in their current condition. I'm not a restorer; I will have *zero* use for these other than permanent door stops. I'd just as soon get rid of them, but would prefer not to be taken advantage of because I'm a "little girl" (What the guy who offered me the $200 bucks called me.)
And to satisfy my own curiosity...why are they called "camel humps"? It's driving me crazy.
Thanks so much for any help you might be able to give me!
Welcome to the forum! The camel hump or double hump heads refers to raised area on the end of the heads that look like two camel humps. The 461 heads were used from 61-67 on a lot of chevy models including trucks.
Hi Valerie. There is no way to know if those heads actually came off a corvette originally, but it doesn’t matter. The same head was used on passenger cars as well as Corvettes. They can be considered a “pair”. They are actually for a 1965. As for value, I can’t answer since I can’t see condition, cracks, valves etc. But even if they guy offered you $10,000 for them, I would tell him to hit the road with the way he talked to you.
Valerie, 461 heads are desirable and easily saleable to anyone restoring a car from that vintage; Corvettes, Camaros, etc. I recently sold a pair of 461 heads, that I'd had rebuilt by my machine shop. The selling price was $800 and that was a pretty good deal. Yours would be considered "core value" without being rebuilt, but even at core value I believe a matched pair would brimg more than $200. I would recommend running them on eBay with plenty of good pictures and the same story you posted here. Starting bid of $100 and a no reserve auction, buyer pays shipping cost. eBay is the largest market in the world with everybody watching. I would hazard a guess they will bring $300-$400. Good luck, Greg
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Valerie, you can see the "camel humps" in your pic, they are on the ends closest to the camera, right at the bottom by the plywood., Other castings had one sharp point, some had nothing at all, etc, depending on what part they were. Good luck with the sale and don't be afraid to ask more advice here.
You're getting solid advice above (in particular, tell the condescending guy to take a leap).
Yes, someone will want them, likely for a '65 Corvette (I bought a set not long ago). These were used on millions of small block Chevy's back in the day, and originality freaks will pay for them.
Like Keith (Nowhere Man) said, flip them over, and measure the width of the intake (the big one) valve. It's likely either 1.94" or 2.02" People pay more for the 2.02" valve heads.
I recommend that you find the valve size, and price them accordingly, and place them for sale in the parts for sale forum here. Shipping is a killer, so you want to find a buyer that can pick them up (IIRC they weigh about 60 pounds for the pair).
With 1.94" valves, and with those dates, I'd probably ask $300-400 for the pair and be willing to negotiate. With 2.02" valves, add $100-150 or so.
Last edited by Easy Rhino; 07-01-2019 at 02:53 PM.
If it was me buying cores, and it was 2 years ago, I searched to find the right dates but with 1.94 valves. I planned to have them machined and rebuilt and buying the 1.94 heads allowed the machine shop to cut into brand new metal while opening them up to 2.02's and not risk going into water installing hard seats. Yes they did have to machine a little in the chamber like the factory did on the 2.02 valves but for a head shop running a Serdi machine that was easy and pretty fast.
In California I bought 2 sets, each was around $200 but we have many old cars still on the road here which helps supply.
That was my choice. Either 2.02 or 1.94 both have some value. The most value will be for the guy looking for a date code that mathches his engine.
If you post a pic of the chamber side of the heads we can see if they are 2.02 heads or not. Value over $100 each, if they are 1.94, is totally dependent on finding the guy that needs those dates. eBay is your friend.
Look at the combustion chambers for a machined area around the larger valve like in the photo. If the chambers have that machined area then with one exception (The 1965 Malibu, 350 horse 327) the heads are from a Corvette with the larger 2.02 intake valves. If the heads have the larger 2.02 valves and do not have the machined area then they started off with the 1.92 valves and a previous owner had the larger valves installed in which case they are off any model car with a 327 rated 300 horse. The reason for the machined area is to unshroud the valve. Many owners had the larger valves installed but few had the additional unshrouding work done not understanding that any performance gains from the larger valve would not be fully realized. Post a good closeup photo of you head chambers.
Thank you to everyone who replied to my query! They are not the larger valves, and I've been approached by a pal of my Uncle who apparently sold them to him in the first place--and would like to buy them back (Is there such a thing as Seller's Remorse? ). At any rate, I appreciate all the the kind help and assistance the forum offered; your generosity in offering your knowledge made my week.
06-30-2019, 04:01 PM
Help requested
