I was thinking 049 & 781.
72 454 Factory Head Replacement
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
72 454 Factory Head Replacement
I have a 72 454 with box stock engine. I think one of the heads have a crack. This engine must have a low rise intake and carb to clear the hood. I don't know if it is oval or rectangle ports. But I am searching for heads. I really would like to know the correct casting #'s and or leads to finding replacement or totally reconditioned heads. (not local parts house rebuild). I need to know they have been checked for cracks behind the valves and valve guide as well as the entire casting.
I have located many 72 454 heads for trucks etc.. but if it is newer than 72 the brackets for a/c etc won't mount up and I want to keep this engine as factory delivered.
Can anyone provide clues to this puzzle. Thanks.. 99 Nassau blue.
I have located many 72 454 heads for trucks etc.. but if it is newer than 72 the brackets for a/c etc won't mount up and I want to keep this engine as factory delivered.
Can anyone provide clues to this puzzle. Thanks.. 99 Nassau blue.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,930
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by jimcork1
I have a 72 454 with box stock engine. I think one of the heads have a crack. This engine must have a low rise intake and carb to clear the hood. I don't know if it is oval or rectangle ports. But I am searching for heads. I really would like to know the correct casting #'s and or leads to finding replacement or totally reconditioned heads. (not local parts house rebuild). I need to know they have been checked for cracks behind the valves and valve guide as well as the entire casting.
I have located many 72 454 heads for trucks etc.. but if it is newer than 72 the brackets for a/c etc won't mount up and I want to keep this engine as factory delivered.
Can anyone provide clues to this puzzle. Thanks.. 99 Nassau blue.
I have located many 72 454 heads for trucks etc.. but if it is newer than 72 the brackets for a/c etc won't mount up and I want to keep this engine as factory delivered.
Can anyone provide clues to this puzzle. Thanks.. 99 Nassau blue.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Supplier?
Thanks to both of you for the information on the heads. Just wondering would you know where to buy a replacement? I know new heads are available, but the the 72 454 LS5 engine what I understand is the acc. bracket holes are different from the newer engines. I really don't want to change all the bracket/pully set up.
I would also consider recondition of existing heads, but I believe I have a crack under the valve on at least 1 of the heads.
Thanks 99 Nassau blue.
I would also consider recondition of existing heads, but I believe I have a crack under the valve on at least 1 of the heads.
Thanks 99 Nassau blue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Central KY
If you strike out on finding a correct head, consider a pair of '049 1973 454 heads. They flow better, but are 119cc so you have to check what your stock chamber volume is so that you don't inadvertantly drop the CR!
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Crack
The car is losing water at a rate of about 2 qts/100 miles. There are no water external leakage. My thoughts were a crack behind the valve and going directly into the exhaust. The left bank smokes a lot at start up and normal driving.
There is no combustion gasses in the water and the engine runs 180 or so when there is water in the system.. Of course when it gets low after 100 or so miles of driving the temp goes up with the water loss.
The engine is chevy orange and absoultely no water outside and no water in the oil. This leads me to a head crack with water going into the exhaust.
But in either case if the heads are pulled and we find a crack the car will be down for extensive time. I don't have much faith in repairing cracked castings. I know it has been done and I have seen it,, but you really need a good skilled shop to make the repair and where the car is.. I don't think they have the knowledge or skill to make this repair. I would also prefer a replacement head to a repaired. Just a $.02 opinion. 99 Nassau Blue
There is no combustion gasses in the water and the engine runs 180 or so when there is water in the system.. Of course when it gets low after 100 or so miles of driving the temp goes up with the water loss.
The engine is chevy orange and absoultely no water outside and no water in the oil. This leads me to a head crack with water going into the exhaust.
But in either case if the heads are pulled and we find a crack the car will be down for extensive time. I don't have much faith in repairing cracked castings. I know it has been done and I have seen it,, but you really need a good skilled shop to make the repair and where the car is.. I don't think they have the knowledge or skill to make this repair. I would also prefer a replacement head to a repaired. Just a $.02 opinion. 99 Nassau Blue
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: In the Beautiful Shenandoah Valley of VA
Cracks in bigblock heads are unusual and rare. However, a quality machine shop can repair a crack professionally and you will never have a problem. Assuming, of course, that it isn't cracked like Aflac's! 
Sorry, bad joke at his expense. I feel for him.
I would suspect your water loss is coming from somewhere else. The smoke you are seeing at start up is more likely tired and worn valve stem seals rather than coolant. Those seals become very brittle after about 50,000 miles.
Steve
Sorry, bad joke at his expense. I feel for him.I would suspect your water loss is coming from somewhere else. The smoke you are seeing at start up is more likely tired and worn valve stem seals rather than coolant. Those seals become very brittle after about 50,000 miles.
Steve
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Water
Steve I think you are right about some of the smoke being oil, but I also think we have the water leak in the head. Can't prove it though. When we pull the engine down we want to have all the parts ready to install on the rebuild. I have been looking into edelbrock for new aluminum replacements. It would be nice to have numbers matching factory 72 heads but new aluminum will be an option if we can't find
#'s matching. I am going to a NCCR swap meet at the end of the month and will look there. Thanks Jim
#'s matching. I am going to a NCCR swap meet at the end of the month and will look there. Thanks Jim
