How to identify heads?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 217
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How to identify heads?
I bought a 1981 with a mystery engine (guy said it was a 383 built from a 350 but it's actually a 327). I'm starting to identify what parts are on/in this engine since the last guy obviously doesn't know. I have 3 questions. When I take the valve covers off, what marks am I looking for to identify the heads? I need to replace the valve cover bolts (they're bent and ugly), anyone got any good ones that look nice (maybe the long ones with wing nuts on top)? I have a set of valve cover gaskets for a 1981 vette with a 350, will those work on this 327?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
Its very likely that the head castings number will be 882. That's a code number for pontoon boat anchor, sorry. Maybe something better is on there.
Wing style valvecover décor bolts can be had from Summit or Jegs and maybe even eBay.* Some have a cool Chevy Bowties on them. You will need the valvecover stud kit if it doesn't come with one. That allows you slip the valvecovers over the stud instead of fighting with small bolts and hole alignment.
And yes those gaskets will fit 283-327-350 etc.
Wing style valvecover décor bolts can be had from Summit or Jegs and maybe even eBay.* Some have a cool Chevy Bowties on them. You will need the valvecover stud kit if it doesn't come with one. That allows you slip the valvecovers over the stud instead of fighting with small bolts and hole alignment.
And yes those gaskets will fit 283-327-350 etc.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Aug 19, 2018 at 04:42 PM.
Burning Brakes
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Thread Starter
Instructor
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,465
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From: Little Rock AR
Pictures of the end of the heads could help here even if you cant get the casting numbers. If the heads are GM you could ID them pretty easy.
I heard the engine run in the video and it lopes pretty good. As I said in the other thread, it is a small journal block so it is not easy to use for a stroker motor. My guess is a 3.25" stroke stock crank.
I heard the engine run in the video and it lopes pretty good. As I said in the other thread, it is a small journal block so it is not easy to use for a stroker motor. My guess is a 3.25" stroke stock crank.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 217
Likes: 21
Pictures of the end of the heads could help here even if you cant get the casting numbers. If the heads are GM you could ID them pretty easy.
I heard the engine run in the video and it lopes pretty good. As I said in the other thread, it is a small journal block so it is not easy to use for a stroker motor. My guess is a 3.25" stroke stock crank.
I heard the engine run in the video and it lopes pretty good. As I said in the other thread, it is a small journal block so it is not easy to use for a stroker motor. My guess is a 3.25" stroke stock crank.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,465
Likes: 1,485
From: Little Rock AR
Hard to make any compression with those 76cc chambers (and an assumed short stroke). If they ever came off, I would not put them back on. 
Now at least you know something about the engine.
Now at least you know something about the engine.
