which 350 cyl head
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
which 350 cyl head
mechanic mate told me it's not worth sinking any more money into the double hump 186 heads i'm running atm,
need new valve guides, valves, etc. said i' be better off looking for new heads.
so what's some good looking heads that keep the stock 350 - 1972 look?
need to have accessory holes, straight plugs etc.
not racing, just cruising and spirited driving.
trick flow have those new nostalgia camel hump heads, haven't c'n any prices or if they are available yet.
need new valve guides, valves, etc. said i' be better off looking for new heads.
so what's some good looking heads that keep the stock 350 - 1972 look?
need to have accessory holes, straight plugs etc.
not racing, just cruising and spirited driving.
trick flow have those new nostalgia camel hump heads, haven't c'n any prices or if they are available yet.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
On a 350 any of the small cc aluminum heads from Edelbrock, Profiler, AFR, Trickflow etc.
Cast iron heads there're Vortecs Dart and maybe a few others.
Pick a hp goal, pick a budget and go from there.
Cast iron heads there're Vortecs Dart and maybe a few others.
Pick a hp goal, pick a budget and go from there.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 103
Likes: 15
I purchased Two (2) Summit 152123 Cylinder Head Cast Iron Assembled 72cc, Total with shipping US $679.00. Can't beat the value and performance for $340 each.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-2-Summit...item2cbab0d0c7
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-2-Summit...item2cbab0d0c7
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,373
Likes: 6,371
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Being in OZ, you should be able to pick up a set of the Kiwi ProTopline heads for a fair price. They flow really well, look stock, and the cast iron versions are bullet-proof while making great power. They have all accessory holes. ProTopline has since sold out to CompCams, but there have to be a bunch of those down there on the used parts market. 
Lars
Lars
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
Another advantage with aluminium heads over iron is you can run a full point more compression ratio without concerns of detonation.
If you are considering a cam change too, ensure you select a good matching grind for the head you select. Makes a world of difference to overall performance / driveability when valve timing is optimised for the flow characteristics of the ports.
If you are considering a cam change too, ensure you select a good matching grind for the head you select. Makes a world of difference to overall performance / driveability when valve timing is optimised for the flow characteristics of the ports.
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Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 164
Likes: 36
Hello, the TFS heads are not quite ready yet, but they are close. The flow great, will make superior power and could be milled as well for a bit more compression. I'm not sure what your timeline is, but we'll be making an announcement when they are ready to ship.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
update:
took heads to machinist, they pressure tested them b4 i was to have new bronze guides installed.
my heads are in the bin, 1 head has 1 badly cracked chamber and 1 weeping chamber,
also have water damage in #5 cyl from water sitting for extended period last year,.
other head has crack from 1 valve spring seat thru bolt hole and into another spring seat,
both have lots of stress fractures that could open up any time.
fixable, they said possibly, big $$$, but no guarantee that more cracks wont appear down the track.
now have to talk to builder as which way to go, if bore to 0.030" will need new pistons, new heads, but i want the old school look,
thanks for the info about the new trick flow nostalgia heads, unfortunately my timeline is now since i'm stuck without anything.
unless there ready in next couple weeks and shipped downunder, i will be a lab rat and test in them in the ozzie conditions for ya......
so now the search begins
took heads to machinist, they pressure tested them b4 i was to have new bronze guides installed.
my heads are in the bin, 1 head has 1 badly cracked chamber and 1 weeping chamber,
also have water damage in #5 cyl from water sitting for extended period last year,.
other head has crack from 1 valve spring seat thru bolt hole and into another spring seat,
both have lots of stress fractures that could open up any time.
fixable, they said possibly, big $$$, but no guarantee that more cracks wont appear down the track.
now have to talk to builder as which way to go, if bore to 0.030" will need new pistons, new heads, but i want the old school look,
thanks for the info about the new trick flow nostalgia heads, unfortunately my timeline is now since i'm stuck without anything.
unless there ready in next couple weeks and shipped downunder, i will be a lab rat and test in them in the ozzie conditions for ya......
so now the search begins
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Here is my 2 cents!
I just did the same in 2014 with my stock L-82 4 speed C3. I had a burnt piston and decided to rebuild the whole motor with upgrades for a ton more power but wanted it to be as much as possible an L-82 and look mostly stock L-82.
I bored the block .030 with JE forged racing 9:1 pistons and rings, AFR 180 64 CC heads (total compression 10.2:1 with .015 head gasket), Howards Roller cam (.525/.525 lift, duration 219/225, LSA 110), reconditioned the L-82 forged crank, reconditioned the L-82 rods, reused the OEM aluminum L-82 intake (mildly ported), reused the L-82 dual snorkel air intake and all cold air hoses, L-82 valve covers, etc. When I open the hood, you would be hard pressed to notice that the engine is not original unless you look hard at the aluminum heads (you can just paint the heads the same color as your engine for better stealth). Engine is in the 425-450+ Gross HP range and runs perfectly with no detonation on 89 octane gas.......
I just did the same in 2014 with my stock L-82 4 speed C3. I had a burnt piston and decided to rebuild the whole motor with upgrades for a ton more power but wanted it to be as much as possible an L-82 and look mostly stock L-82.
I bored the block .030 with JE forged racing 9:1 pistons and rings, AFR 180 64 CC heads (total compression 10.2:1 with .015 head gasket), Howards Roller cam (.525/.525 lift, duration 219/225, LSA 110), reconditioned the L-82 forged crank, reconditioned the L-82 rods, reused the OEM aluminum L-82 intake (mildly ported), reused the L-82 dual snorkel air intake and all cold air hoses, L-82 valve covers, etc. When I open the hood, you would be hard pressed to notice that the engine is not original unless you look hard at the aluminum heads (you can just paint the heads the same color as your engine for better stealth). Engine is in the 425-450+ Gross HP range and runs perfectly with no detonation on 89 octane gas.......
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
sounds like the same howards hyd roller cam i have already, except i have 112 lsa, 111145-12
are the afr 180cc ok, have been told the 195cc would be better,
i'm at .020" bore now, flat tops .030" down the bore, old 186 64cc heads gave me about 9.5:1
i'm probably going to bore to .030" to clean up a bad bore mark, and deck the block, original stamp went last time..
afr's are very expensive over here, about 2,700$au (2075$us)
was thinking edelbrock performer rpm heads...?
i'm so confused
are the afr 180cc ok, have been told the 195cc would be better,
i'm at .020" bore now, flat tops .030" down the bore, old 186 64cc heads gave me about 9.5:1
i'm probably going to bore to .030" to clean up a bad bore mark, and deck the block, original stamp went last time..
afr's are very expensive over here, about 2,700$au (2075$us)
was thinking edelbrock performer rpm heads...?
i'm so confused
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
Being in OZ, you should be able to pick up a set of the Kiwi ProTopline heads for a fair price. They flow really well, look stock, and the cast iron versions are bullet-proof while making great power. They have all accessory holes. ProTopline has since sold out to CompCams, but there have to be a bunch of those down there on the used parts market.
Lars
Lars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
sounds like the same howards hyd roller cam i have already, except i have 112 lsa, 111145-12
are the afr 180cc ok, have been told the 195cc would be better,
i'm at .020" bore now, flat tops .030" down the bore, old 186 64cc heads gave me about 9.5:1
i'm probably going to bore to .030" to clean up a bad bore mark, and deck the block, original stamp went last time..
afr's are very expensive over here, about 2,700$au (2075$us)
was thinking edelbrock performer rpm heads...?
i'm so confused
are the afr 180cc ok, have been told the 195cc would be better,
i'm at .020" bore now, flat tops .030" down the bore, old 186 64cc heads gave me about 9.5:1
i'm probably going to bore to .030" to clean up a bad bore mark, and deck the block, original stamp went last time..
afr's are very expensive over here, about 2,700$au (2075$us)
was thinking edelbrock performer rpm heads...?
i'm so confused
Unless you plan on spinning your 355 to 6,500 RPM+, you do not need with this size motor 195 CC heads which will also compromise slightly low to mid range power which for me on the street was what I was after. 195 CC IMO are better suited to 383 to 406 motors. My LSA is 110 for better mid range power. My 355 L-82 with the howards roller cam, 10.2:1 compression and AFR heads with Long Tube 1 7/8 inch headers makes impressive power with tremendous mid range toque and pulls like a fighter jet quickly to 5,500-6,000 RPM. I am more than happy with the results.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 743
Likes: 71
From: Jarrettsville Maryland
I purchased Two (2) Summit 152123 Cylinder Head Cast Iron Assembled 72cc, Total with shipping US $679.00. Can't beat the value and performance for $340 each.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-2-Summit...item2cbab0d0c7
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-2-Summit...item2cbab0d0c7
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Was re-reading the Vizard SBC book last night and this is what he head to say about heads for build #3----ported and revalved 186 double humps
His book was written 9 years ago....Iron as cast heads have come a long way since then.
The big drawback was that there was 50 hours of head porting involved. If built with out of the box iron casting from any of the 3 alternatives mentioned, similar if not better results can be obtained for far less build hassle.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
OP... Check with knightengines in Australia. Maybe he has some decent budget friendly heads lying around?
https://www.facebook.com/Knight-Engines-126965897370701/
Last edited by jim2527; Sep 7, 2017 at 12:43 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
It sounds like you are more worried about looking stock than wanting more power. If this is the case find the cheapest cast iron, if you want more performance there are alot of good recommendations listed above.