C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Quick question on steam holes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 09:22 AM
  #1  
dgruenke's Avatar
dgruenke
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Default Quick question on steam holes

I am looking at a set of sb heads that were once drilled for the steam holes to go on a 400. Once these holes are drilled, can you still use the heads for a 355 or 383?
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 09:28 AM
  #2  
BB72's Avatar
BB72
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Default Yes

Yes you can, it would be wise to drill and tap for a small pipe plug. Then silicone around the plug when putting the heads on.. Make sure the plug is flush with the head surface. Simple.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 10:14 AM
  #3  
Edzred72's Avatar
Edzred72
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Default

Don't need the holes for a standard 350 block. Drill & tap plugs as mentioned above is best, or tapered aluminum plugs press fitted in has also worked. Whatever plug you use, it MUST be flush with the head mount surface.
Eddie
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 11:25 PM
  #4  
dgruenke's Avatar
dgruenke
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Default

So you DO have to fill the holes? You cannot run them with the holes still there?
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2006 | 01:05 AM
  #5  
BB72's Avatar
BB72
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Default Hmmm

There's no holes on the other side....so yes you should plug them unless you want leaks.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2006 | 11:05 AM
  #6  
copter's Avatar
copter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
Default

Originally Posted by dgruenke
I am looking at a set of sb heads that were once drilled for the steam holes to go on a 400. Once these holes are drilled, can you still use the heads for a 355 or 383?
Wondering why anybody would want to go that route??Please explain.I'm still learning after all these years.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2006 | 12:35 PM
  #7  
dgruenke's Avatar
dgruenke
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by copter
Wondering why anybody would want to go that route??Please explain.I'm still learning after all these years.
I was looking at a used set of Edelbrock RPM's on a famous auction site. They were used on a 400 and had the steam holes drilled. I am not building a 400, just a 355 or 383. I wanted to see if they would still work without having to fill the holes back in.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2006 | 12:23 PM
  #8  
copter's Avatar
copter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Savannah Ga
Default

Gottcha
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Nov 26, 2006 | 06:56 PM
  #9  
tlrs819's Avatar
tlrs819
Advanced
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: New Paris Indiana
Default steam holes

I have used lots of heads with steam holes on non 400 small blocks. Never plugged them, never had a problem. I used to build a lot of oval track motors and these guys loved to run 406's. Therefore, I always got a lot of drilled heads around the shop and used them on tons of different motors. I would slap em right on there if you get them.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Quick question on steam holes





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:54 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE