Hello,

I have a question about corvette small block “camel hump” cylinder heads. I looked at the number on the head and it reads 3782461. I looked up the specs in the book “Corvette by the number by Alan V. Colvin and retrieved the following information:

Head #3782461X
Year: 1960 1961 1962 1963
Engine: 283 (1960) 283 (1961) 327 (1962) 327 (1963)
Horsepower: 315 Aluminum (1960) 275 315 Cast Iron (1961) 300 340 360 Cast Iron (1962) 300 340 360 Cast Iron (1963)
Valve size: 1.94/1.5 (all years)
Combustion chamber (cc): 62.076 (all years)
Notes: The original head was produced in aluminum, but because of problems with metal porosity at the foundry, there were only 15 cars produced with these heads. The remaining engines/cars were produced with an identical cast iron cylinder head. It was only available as a 1.94/1.50 valve head. The ‘X’ on the cylinder head is a 1/4”-hiigh letter an is cast on the underside of all’461 cylinder heads towards the lifter gallery. It was used from 1960 through July of 1963. The principal difference between the 1962-63 300HP and the 340/360HP is that the 340/360HP heads have swirl polished valves. Some ‘461 heads have an ‘X’ after the casting number, but as to usage or application, research is not completed. After “G” of 1963, a “64” is cast above the casting number to differentiate between early ‘461X casting and the 461 casting.

Question 1:
My first question is I looked at the manufacturing date of the head and the year looks like a 6. I had several people look at the heads and they all say that it is a 6. My question is how can it be a 6 if the heads were manufactured in between 1960 – 1963. Do you think I am reading a “3” and not a “6”. Do you think that I am reading the head number incorrectly?

Question 2:
What are these heads worth (with the X or without X (I am not sure if I have an X or not because I didn’t look yet))? I posted several parts for sale in the new used parts forum. My goal was to put a post for people who need parts to complete their projects. My problem is that I have no idea what they are worth. What do you think these heads are worth, be honest and give a fair figure for both sides. If you could give me any fair prices on the other parts that would be great too!

Pictures:









Larger pictures of the heads and other parts can be seen in my galley.

Thanks,
Joe

 

I would guess if yours are from '66, you just have the 461 heads. The "X" ones are worth a bit more than the std 461, although don't know the current rate. I had a matching set of 461X with intake I sold for $150 about 10 years ago if that helps.

 

Thanks for the reply Dominic,

The heads actually came off a 1968 327/350. I think the person who rebuilt it put on the wrong heads. THat is why I have no idea what they are and that is also why the casting numbers make no sense to me. Are the the 461 heads manufactured in 1966? I thought it was only from 1960 - 1963??
Thanks,
Joe

 

According to a page I found online, the 461 could be 3782461, or 3782461X. The regular 461 casting was used between 1964-1966 and could be found on 327 engines. They had 2.02/1.60" valves, a 64CC combustion chamber, DO NOT have accessory holes, intake port volume of 161CC's, exhaust 62CC's. These heads have double hump casting marks. The "X" castings had the same port configuration, but had larger port volumes, they DO NOT have accessory holes. The intake port on the "X" casting was 172CC's, and the exhaust port was 62CC's, valve sizing was 1.94/1.50". The "X" heads had double hump casting marks as well.

I actually run a set of 461 heads on my 327 in the '77 although I can't remember the casting date!

 

I am pretty sure that the valve size is 1.94/1.50 (can you tell by the pictures in my gallery), which is still confusing me because they were not made in 66 with that size.
ANy ideas??

 

I believe the 461 head was used through late '66 when it was replaced with the 462 head. The 461 was typically used on the 300 hp and up engines. Most had 1.94/1.50 valves. Engines with 340 or more hp had 2.02/1.6 valves. The 461 head was also used on some 275 horse engines. The "X" castings (the "X" will be found on the bottom side of an intake runner) were 10CC larger on the intake ports, and are generally more sought after. 461X castings also came with the smaller valves, just like 461 heads.

Three months ago, I paid $160 for a pair of 461X heads needing everything. The guy came down $40 from his asking price because one of the heads was drilled and tapped, probably for a pass side LWP alt mount.

 

Thanks for the info.
Joe