what is the big or small differance between the 049 heads and the 781 heads??

I dont think there are any big differences, mainly in intake/exhaust port volumes and then its very small. Both sets of heads are great.

336781.....73-85...oval...OPEN...454, 118cc chamber, 256/114cc ports

353049.....73-84...oval...OPEN...454, 122cc chamber, 255/119cc ports

from http://www.mortec.com/bbc.htm

thanks bob. so it seems that if both sets of heads were setting side by side, same condition that the 781s would be the set to choose for a tad bit more compression.

I've seen some list's that have the 049's at 122cc and others that have them at 118cc.

Intake runners are virtually the same but the 049's larger exhaust ports flow better.

781's for smaller chamber, 049's for exhaust port size? Performance wise is probably a wash.

Same heads but the 049's have a larger exhaust port, But not enough to feel the difference. As far as the cc's I have had 781's with 118cc and other's with 122cc you need to cc the heads to find out, Thats the only way. Both castings are good ...mike

if your going to unshroud the valves chamer size ,its a mute point. i ended up at 124cc on my 049s. Dave

I had a set of 049's that cc'd at 110cc's, from a '73 454 truck engine

I have a friends project 73' camaro sitting in my driveway and he bought the car with a 454. The heads that are on it are 049's. I checked the casting myself and I guess he got some good heads on that 454. Don't know what else is done but he likes SBC's. I might trade him a 355 for his 454 and have a small pot of gold:D