A/M or GM heads?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 681
Likes: 31
From: Nebraska
A/M or GM heads?
I found a good set of GM Vortec heads for $150 from an acquaintance who is going LS in his old Chevy. I was going to get aftermarket Vortecs because they are more resistant to cracking. How bad are the GM Vortecs for cracking? Is it a mistake to go with the GM heads? What are your experiences? I don't want to do this job twice (of course).
I'm not doing any serious racing, spirited driving and burnouts probably. It will see many interstate miles.
I'm not doing any serious racing, spirited driving and burnouts probably. It will see many interstate miles.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Get them magnafluxed and checked out first lots of cracked ones out there
By the time you do the basic reconditioning could buy new/upgraded ones unless you just plan on bolting them on as is.
By the time you do the basic reconditioning could buy new/upgraded ones unless you just plan on bolting them on as is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I've never heard about cracking being such a common problem on Vortec heads. I've been using mine about 10 years now with no problems. Been on and off the engine a few times during that period.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
I agree with BK. Have the vortecs checked by a good shop and run them if they pass muster. Those are good pretty darn heads for that kind of money. For what you would spend on them, you can easily absorb the cost of a vortec intake like the 2116 (I see them on ebay/craiglist all the time).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
The only ones I've had that were cracked were cooked - overheated badly. I've had several sets with 150K+ miles on them that were fine.
Make sure you clean up the big ridge in the short turns of the exhaust ports, it'll make a difference!
Make sure you clean up the big ridge in the short turns of the exhaust ports, it'll make a difference!
Last edited by L88Plus; Jul 25, 2016 at 01:22 PM.
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