I have been offered a set of aluminum merlin 3 heads with 350CC runners, along with a merlin intake/ stud girdle/ valve covers.

I know they are huge but I can get a good deal on them.

What would you guys say about putting these on top of a 10.5:1, solid roller, 496?

That's a huge CC runner for even 496 but it would use a good portion of it. I'd do it on a 496 if it were me. JIM_D had 345's on his little 427.

JIM_D had 345's on his little 427.

True, but he was only running small block times with it set up like that.:D

See,go for it Brian.:thumbsup:

If the price is right, you have enough cam & compression, then I say go for it. I know if I had those heads my engine would love them but I will stick with those old iron heads to level out the playing field when I race Darryl. :D

I agree, grab them up if you can,,,,,,,,,,,then when you upgrade to a 14-1 540,,,,you'll already have heads that will support big HP numbers. It'll still make gobs of power with a 496.

Thanks for the help guys, the heads are setup with roller springs, titanium retainers, the works. Just need to borrow someones grinder to make a hole in my hood, unless roger has a spare fiberglass one laying around?:D

Now I just need to find a shortblock for these bad boys, I duno if I can spend 4500 on a 540 right now considering I still need to buy some other items for the car.

why do you keep talking about holes in your hood Brian?
Your stock hood will take an RPM Air Gap I'd think......

I have a rpm airgap on my motor right now with my stock hood george, I am pretty sure that the merlin single plane intake with a conversion plate on top will be a little taller:thumbsup:

duh, already forgot you were getting a really serious intake with the heads.....
Cowl before cut!
Ya could low-buck it and cut your hood and bond on a cowl....but I despise good metal getting whacked.....
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/534836136.html
$100 cowl hood needing love.....Tacoma

I wouldnt consider my hood good metal, some idiot thought it would be smart to reef down on the hood before I bought it, and bent it pretty good. Although I will be welding a brace in to help it out.

The older guys are all preservationists, they hate to see even a gremlen cut up anymore. In my opinion, if you need to cut it, do it! After all its only a 71 or 72, no one really cares about those. ;) Just try to cut it nice, no hack jobs and run a cool induction setup. :thumbsup:

Brian,
Sounds like you have already decided to get them... Good choice. I wouldn't put them with a 10:5 -1 combo unless you are running some healthy NOS but, they would work great on a future 496. But you need 12.5 or higher with a Fat lump Stick to use their potential. You are starting to become a little Berg replica with these good deals you come across:)
As far as hoods.... I already got rid of an extra 3" cowl I had. :( I run a 2 1/2 Fiberglass bolt on for my 70 Chevelle that latches like stock. Soft springs and you're done. You can come across one here and there for around $100. Swap Meets.... (2) Puallup's in Feb. and Monroe a couple months later. Darryl and I will be in portland in April. Let us know if you want us to keep an eye out for one. You car would look sweet with a cowl.

The older guys are all preservationists, they hate to see even a gremlen cut up anymore. In my opinion, if you need to cut it, do it! After all its only a 71 or 72, no one really cares about those. ;) Just try to cut it nice, no hack jobs and run a cool induction setup. :thumbsup:

Holy Smokes! Even a ex-Mopar guy (me) wouldn't cut up a hood. There are just too many after market hoods at reasonable prices. I say buy a glass hood if you need one and save the hood for when you get old and want to be a preservationist. :D:D

The guy with the heads had some interest in my 468 for a chevelle of his own. He was open to do a trade his heads,intake,stud girdle, valve covers/ for my longblock. He was asking 1500$ for his items, and some of my friends think that if I trade for the motor I should also ask for some additional money, how much do you guys think 500$, 1000$?

This would be my motor minus the carb ignition exhaust, and marks rocker arms:D.

Then all I would have to do is setup a 496 with a solid roller and slap those heads intake on and be set.:D

For the price he is asking I wouldn't hesitate in getting him the money he is asking (if the heads are indeed good heads). If you are strapped for cash then I guess you could do some horse trading but as a racer I know it is always nice to have spare engine parts laying around, just ask Darryl :D

BTW, if those heads had made it my way, they would already be a part of my engine. Jump on them! :thumbsup:

After all its only a 71 or 72, no one really cares about those. ;)

Us '72 owners care even less about El Caminos;)

or you can buy my flat hood and hack it up all you want, i'll make you a good deal.......

Ok so how does this combo look, should be able to afford this.

either a 496 if I use a 454 block, or a 540 if I find a 502 block.

try to get 10.5:1-11:1 compression, with forged bottom end.
merlin 350 aluminum heads, swap the springs to a flat tappet spring
merlin single plane
1000hp 4150 pro systems carb
2"/3.5" hooker super comps

this cam with the 540,
Cam Style: Mechanical flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range: 3,500-7,200
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 259
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 267
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 259 int./267 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 292
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 301
Advertised Duration: 292 int./301 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.625 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.625 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.625 int./0.625 exh. lift
Lobe Separation (degrees): 110
Intake Valve Lash: 0.025 in.
Exhaust Valve Lash: 0.025 in.

This for the 496
Cam Style: Mechanical flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range: 3,000-7,200
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 255
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 263
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 255 int./263 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 288
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 296
Advertised Duration: 288 int./296 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.612 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.630 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.612 int./0.630 exh. lift
Lobe Separation (degrees): 107
Intake Valve Lash: 0.030 in.
Exhaust Valve Lash: 0.030 in.

Thanks for all the help guys

Personally I cant say which is better as I dont have that much knowledge but either way its going to be kick a$$.Good luck:thumbsup:

Wow!:eek:
I'm going to have to remember to stay behind you in the staging lanes so that you make your run before me so that I can hear my poor little mouse when I'm at the tree. :yes:

Sounds awesome to me.