eBay sbc heads?
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eBay sbc heads?
I've been wanting to upgrade the heads on my 78 and was wondering if anyone had any info on these heads? I'm not looking to make a ton of power just a little over stock.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-Top-E...pid=2195888124
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-Top-E...pid=2195888124
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Hermosa
I was gonna say no way, but after reading the description I would say maybe. It's a gamble for heads of unknown quality and or origin .
as long as your prepared to have them gone over by someone to ensure all is in order, ya I guess so.
When you gamble just be ready to lose also.
as long as your prepared to have them gone over by someone to ensure all is in order, ya I guess so.
When you gamble just be ready to lose also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I absolutely would not risk it unless you can determine where every part comes from that kit...even with someone "going through the heads". A head check will not guarantee much other than the installed parts are within spec. Who makes the head casting, the valves, the springs, retainers and oh those roller rockers? Have one of those go south in a running motor and you can kiss the motor goodbye. Too many variables to go wrong...skip it in my opinion
Last edited by jb78L-82; Sep 26, 2018 at 07:33 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: SW Florida.
No name head castings. Those are all over eBay for $150 a piece, 300 pair. They say they're just like Pro Comp heads. Pro Comp heads used to have a bad rep for castings. They're getting better. But I would not want to buy a knock off of a pro comp. And the castings aren't the worst part. Castings never open and close at 7500 RPM. If you want to get something like this, by the bare castings. Then by the valves and the springs and the retainers separately. From name brand American manufacturers. Like those roller rockers for instance. Are 200 a set for cheap ones. A guy near me was trying to sell a 496 that he paid $5,000 for. A valve had dropped off of a pro comp head at idle. Wrecked the engine. If a valve head pops off at idle, it ain't that good a valve. He was asking 3000. He ended up getting about 500.
Team Owner
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
THey could be ok or you could assemble them only to find the spark plug hole is drilled wrong, rocker stud location off etc. Then what?
Warranty?
Know its tempting but Id rather burn up a visa and get well known stuff, even with that theres a risk but at least you can return it most times. He probably bought them in bulk from Alibaba, put his own parts in hoping to turn a profit.
Warranty?
Know its tempting but Id rather burn up a visa and get well known stuff, even with that theres a risk but at least you can return it most times. He probably bought them in bulk from Alibaba, put his own parts in hoping to turn a profit.
Last edited by cv67; Sep 26, 2018 at 09:55 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Little Rock AR
There is no way to know what you are getting. Its just a box full of generic pretty stuff. I can't do it.
Even known brands have had issues with fit or quality. Are you comfy doing the "product field testing" on your dime????
If you spend a little more, you sleep better at night.
Even known brands have had issues with fit or quality. Are you comfy doing the "product field testing" on your dime????
If you spend a little more, you sleep better at night.
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So sounds like the eBay heads are not the way to go. With 72cc Chambers I wiuwo guess those summit racing heads would not ad much in the way of power though I am not that worried about that, but I was just wondering?
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From: SW Florida.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
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Some more info would be helpful, is your car an L48 or L82? Stock bottom end? If so, you probably want to try for some small chamber heads.
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It's a L82 with what the previous owner calls a "mild cam" but he didn't have a spec sheet for it other than that its all stock. I have a problem with a little bit of oil consumption but I've done a compression test and 190 psi on all cylinders. so I'm fairly confident it is the valve stem seals and I don't want rebuild those heads when I know they aren't the best so I was just going to upgrade.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
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It's a L82 with what the previous owner calls a "mild cam" but he didn't have a spec sheet for it other than that its all stock. I have a problem with a little bit of oil consumption but I've done a compression test and 190 psi on all cylinders. so I'm fairly confident it is the valve stem seals and I don't want rebuild those heads when I know they aren't the best so I was just going to upgrade.
On more of a budget, check out the Blueprint Engine heads. They flow well and have a good reputation and tend to be a bit cheaper.
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Thanks for the all the help guys, just one more question I've heard that a engine can use oil from a intake gasket being bad or installed wrong though I would change this if I replaced the heads has anyone seen this before or a way testing for it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
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The only way an intake gasket could affect oil consumption is if it wasn't sealed between the intake ports on the intake and head. That would be an odd place to leak. You have to change that gasket anyway when you remove the heads, so that will eliminate that as a possibility.
Edited for accuracy, my brain wasn't functioning correctly for a second haha.
Last edited by mobird; Sep 27, 2018 at 10:38 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
Actually, a oil leak at the bottom of the intake gasket is more common that you realize. Just think, all eight cylinders are creating a vacuum between intake and head. Just below that, is the lifter valley. Full of hot oil and mist just waiting to be sucked into any intake port that will take it.
Result: a vacuum leak that is impossible to find, oil fouled plugs for no apparent reason, smoke out the tailpipe. All because somebody did not take extra precaution to seal those intake gaskets. It is imperative that those gaskets are coated with sealant on BOTH sides.
If the china wall seal leaks, its just a matter of wiping up the oil spill occasionally. But when the intake gasket leaks, it screws up your air/fuel ratio, makes cylinders misfire and reduces vacuum needed for other accessories.
Result: a vacuum leak that is impossible to find, oil fouled plugs for no apparent reason, smoke out the tailpipe. All because somebody did not take extra precaution to seal those intake gaskets. It is imperative that those gaskets are coated with sealant on BOTH sides.
If the china wall seal leaks, its just a matter of wiping up the oil spill occasionally. But when the intake gasket leaks, it screws up your air/fuel ratio, makes cylinders misfire and reduces vacuum needed for other accessories.