350 CHEVY HEADS BEST AND WORST

Thanks so much for such an informative and well-organized video on 350 heads. The more a person knows; the more of an expert they are, the more humble they are (usually). When you said, "I don't know everything, but I know a lot", I knew right there that you know what the hell you're talking about. Other guys that don't know 1/10th of what you know will say, "I know everything about 350 Chevy heads!" I wish other YouTubers that do informational videos took the time to get organized and chock their videos with as much info as you do. Hopefully some of them will check out your videos, because they could learn a lot (and not just about how to film videos)! Thanks again for such great info and presenting it so well.

Man I love your videos. You are in my top 5 of sources for information and knowledge. Please keep up the excellent work educating us shade tree mechanics.

Sorry folks Google has made it so I cannot respond to your comments directly so I will reply here just scroll up to see my response or email me directly at [email protected]

I am surprised that the 5.0L/5.7L Vortec heads weren't mentioned in this video. They are a Gen I small block. Those are also a very good choice port design in those heads were based off of the port design in the Gen II LT1's. 1.94/1.50 valve size with a unique multi angle valve seat from factory. Stock vs stock the Vortec's flow more than the camel hump heads, already have the hardened valve seats for use with unleaded. However they do need a little work if you want to run a higher lift cam. They also have a fast burn style combustion chamber.

I had 993 heads on the 350 I rebuilt for my 87 1/2 ton Chevy, great heads for moderate power, I loved them.

FYI: TrickFlow is going into production with an aluminum version of the 461 head with a slightly larger intake runner(175 CC as opposed to 170 CC) already set up for high lift cams. It will be budget oriented so it will be competitively priced to factory SBC head with the machine work to support the same type of valve train.

Excellent, Most accurate info about SBC heads I have watched in many years. Been building street engines since the mid 70's. Now with 49 Years experience (Now 2022). My pick has been 041 since I first found them at Pick-A-Part in the late 70's in the Valley (SFV). Were produced for only 2½ years. Very hard to find Then... I would assume almost impossible to find now. 186 Castings were easier to find. Well Done.

Thanks for all your research and posting this. Coming from LS and small block Ford I am building my first gen 1 small block from all free parts that people have given me over the years. It's a little junker 355 and someone gave me a pair of 993 heads that have been ported and valve job with 2.02/1.60. The big chamber should put me at 9:1 but that's ok. 87 octane turd.

The 3987041 and 3987041X in particular were used as a warranty replacement heads in matched set for the 69 Z28 Camaro. My DZ Block cracked and the CE wedge piston replacement block came with 3987041X heads. I still own the Camaro today and wish you had noted the oversized intake and exhaust ports of the 041X heads. The X can be found on the bottom of the intake runner, if you've never seen one. If you want a Pic I have plenty.

You should have said something about the 441 heads, lingenfelter wrote in his book. Them 1969 heads with the 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves are the true LT1 heads they experimented the year before they released them onto the 350 LT1 motor. Every one else also has a bad habit of calling fuelly heads as 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves, but actually the first Fulie motor was in the Corvette with the 327 motor in 1963 I think? But these heads had actually 1.94 intake valves and 1.50 exhaust, they named these heads the Fulie because of the fuel injection, great article, maybe you can do a special on the Fulie heads, LT1, and the 441 heads to educate people better on these heads. Have a good night my friend.

This video is pure gold! So much knowledge, And we get to watch it for free! Thank you for this!

It's so funny that you bring those two things up because those are the exact thoughts I had when I previewed this, I uploaded it anyway because the Camel hump looks just like all the rest in the vid except for the end of the head but I hear you I am going to re-shoot this as soon as the weather cools off some right now it's way to hot here to shoot without the cooler on Thanks for the input it is always welcomed

For a 383 tbi stroker aftermarket heads work the best the tbi heads were not very good performers

Agreed Thats why I flow tested all of them and based the video on them

There is another machinist on here that talked about date codes on heads. He stated he found over the years that you could tell by the day of the week differences in quality of the heads... He said he noticed that Monday and Friday heads took the most work to shape them up. That Tuesday-Thursday heads were of better quality workmanship... Nobody wants to be at work on Monday or Friday...

You know your stuff!!!! Thanks for letting the young guys know about this old school technology!!!!

I know this is old... But still very relevant info. I'm also a former Engine Builder and Machinist. YES - totally agree with you on the 624 Heads!! JUNK! There's enough of the others to not use them. Now I have "successfully" built a few 350s with 305 Heads.... Do I suggest that the average person do it - NO. I even used 58cc Chamber 305 Heads with Dish Pistons, giving 10.6-1 Compression.... THE DIFFERENCE - I explained to the Customer that these would NOT be high revving, high Performance Engines! What they were, with Port Matching and mild Polishing and a Comp Cams 268H, was a Truck Torque BEAST. Fantastic from IDLE to 3500, but pretty much ran out of poop by about 4400-4800, with significant Torque loss between 3800 to Redline. Guys even reported getting significantly better Fuel Economy when not getting into it!! THAT was the late 70's to early 90's.... After that, it became obvious that you could practically "have your cake and eat it too" with a 383 Stroker! Possibly the best Chevy Small Block that Chevy never made. I'm really enjoying your Channel. You really know your shit, and have even taught me a few new things!! None of us know everything - it's always good to gain knowledge from someone who has had different experiences. 😉 Carmine ✈🚂🚙

I had a 350 in a truck years ago. The heads were 53cc. It made a rediculous amount of power. 68 GMC that could pull the front end. I didn't build the engine, but did add some aftermarket parts. I was putting down low 11's on slicks.

I enjoyed the video. Very informative. Appreciate how you broke down the casting numbers.

You just saved me from spending a lot of money on redoing my 991 heads, I have a good set of 882 heads lying around as well. Thank you!