3891492 Camel back heads
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Aiken SC
3891492 Camel back heads
I have a set and am wanting to find out more about them and what they may be worth if I want to sell them. Mortec.com says they were used on 1970 LT1 engines and also were available over the counter by Chevrolet as Bowtie performance heads. Here are some pics. They have been drilled for 400sbc steam holes but machine shop says those can be plugged. Other than that the look bone stock and I cannot see where any porting work has been done on them. They are currently at the machine shop being cleaned and tested.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...psw5fammxi.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9bpzraui.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...pso92swewy.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...psw5fammxi.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9bpzraui.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...pso92swewy.jpg
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
I have a set that I had 2.02 valves placed into it. Along with a port job and Z/28 springs it worked well on both a 355 and 406 c.i. engine. The only drawback is for me is there are no "mounting" holes on the heads for securing alternators, steering pump brackets and the likes.
I always wanted a set and found mine in a wrecking yard. We as kids must have opened every Chevrolet hood in the county looking for the elusive "Camel Hump" heads.
As for value I would like to get out what I got into them but I am sure I wont get my $950.00 back. With the reasonable price of aluminum CNC ported and large valve heads for only a few hundred more, IMHO the old 2.02's doesn't cut it now a days.
I always wanted a set and found mine in a wrecking yard. We as kids must have opened every Chevrolet hood in the county looking for the elusive "Camel Hump" heads.
As for value I would like to get out what I got into them but I am sure I wont get my $950.00 back. With the reasonable price of aluminum CNC ported and large valve heads for only a few hundred more, IMHO the old 2.02's doesn't cut it now a days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
492 heads were used in LT-1, but not exclusively. LT-1 applications would have had straight plugs, 2.02/1.60 valves, screw in studs, and push rod guideplates from the factory. Yours appear not to be LT-1 heads. Later versions of the casting had angled plugs.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
My info shows those used on 1964-1967 327. They are the small 1.94/1.50 valve, pressed in stud, no guide plate, 64 CC standard performance, low HP head. They are worth about $150 if you can find a guy that needs your date code for a particular project. There were millions of these made, they were never used in a factory performance application and never on a corvette and, as stated do not have the accessory holes to be able to be used on a C3. Any that do have the 2.02 valves have been modified.
If they were 3991492 They would be the performance "over the counter" head from the early 70's with 2.02/1.60 valves, Good flowing ports, screw in studs, guide plates, angle plug or straight plug. Were actually a pretty good head and are still sold "over the counter" although a stock "vortec" 1.94/1.50 head will outflow and out perform it. http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...CATID=671.html
If they were 3991492 They would be the performance "over the counter" head from the early 70's with 2.02/1.60 valves, Good flowing ports, screw in studs, guide plates, angle plug or straight plug. Were actually a pretty good head and are still sold "over the counter" although a stock "vortec" 1.94/1.50 head will outflow and out perform it. http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/perform...CATID=671.html
Last edited by 63mako; Feb 1, 2014 at 12:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
You will have $400+ into those heads to make them useable......not worth while unless your doing NCRS restoration......Ebay them.......use funds for better hardware! Disclaimer I have about $1K in a similar set on my wife's 70 LT-1 roadster. I sure do wish someone would come out with some modern replacement "Camel Hump " heads....camel back? not how us " old school guys " describe them......ITS CAMEL HUMP!
Forgot to add if they have 400 steam holes they probably came off a 1970 400SB with 4bbl carb and lead a hard life, make sure you get someone competent to inspect them for cracks!
Forgot to add if they have 400 steam holes they probably came off a 1970 400SB with 4bbl carb and lead a hard life, make sure you get someone competent to inspect them for cracks!
Last edited by Solid LT1; Feb 1, 2014 at 12:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 143
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From: Aiken SC
These heads are strait plug and do have accessory holes in them 3 on one side and one on the other. The casting number is 3891492 and the humps are split apart not together like the 461's and others. I did not measure the valve sizes.
I think they are 3991492 and not 3891492 as I do not find the later number anywhere. Here is a pic of the number on the head
I think they are 3991492 and not 3891492 as I do not find the later number anywhere. Here is a pic of the number on the head
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Aiken SC
Here is the info from mortec.com
3991492....70......350..........LT1,Came l hump,accessory holes,64cc, straight plug
3991492....70-up................over the counter,Camel hump,64cc, straight or angle plug
3991492....70......350..........LT1,Came l hump,accessory holes,64cc, straight plug
3991492....70-up................over the counter,Camel hump,64cc, straight or angle plug
Last edited by chevyreb; Feb 1, 2014 at 02:28 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
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From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Your post title has the 3891492 number and I assumed those were what your talking about. The heads pictured are the 3991492 heads which are a good factory head. They are the over the counter performance heads they still sell through GM. As good of factory non vortec head as you will find. As is I sold a set of these a while back for $275. Similar to the big valve 186 and 041 head.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Aiken SC
Your post title has the 3891492 number and I assumed those were what your talking about. The heads pictured are the 3991492 heads which are a good factory head. They are the over the counter performance heads they still sell through GM. As good of factory non vortec head as you will find. As is I sold a set of these a while back for $275. Similar to the big valve 186 and 041 head.
63Mako thanks for your observation and assistance! I appreciate it, and also all others who have chimed in. I have seen these on ebay listed for $599 so thats why I decided to dig them out of storage and see if I can move them to help fund an engine build I am currently in the process of.
