I am planning the future build up of a 496 BBC. I have a line on a 454 4 bolt block (complete intake to pan) with a set of 049 heads for $1300. Is this a decent deal? Anyway, I was using the search function and found some good information on and what I was looking for, but one guy said that they need a bigger then average cam. I would *like* a 11.5-7 second car. Nothing too hard for you guys around here right? ;) How much power do you think that I will need to accomplish this. 4 Speed M-21 and 3.73's

I am looking for about 9.5-9.8:1 Compression ratio and will idle in traffic. I figure if I keep the compression in the 9's the temp. shoudlnt shoot to the moon after coming to a stop. It is a street bruiser/cruiser. I would like some reliablity. I realize the higher the power, the less the reliability, but I would like it to start withing a few minutes of when I set out to go. I need all the advice that I could get. Should I ditch the 049' and go aftermarket? I am on a budget, but if it will make my motor more reliable/streetable, then I can swing it.

Thanks a lot for any advice that you could help me with, and sorry for the long read,
Chris

Stick with the 049. they are great headsimo

Well to put into perspective, I got a complete 4-bolt 454 with -781 heads and the 3/8'' rods for $600..owner though a rod was going to throw but it was really a bent pushrod slapping lifter valley. The crank ended up cracked though, but still $600.

Anyway I think with some flat tops maybe or a very very small dome you can get the compression you want with those open chamber heads, and they're good too. I think for now I would stick with them in order to buy a new crank for the 4.25 stroke and save money for some traction parts you'd probably need with a 496. Later down the line you could always replace with a smaller chamber head and a different cam if you decide to change compression, etc.

I know that a lot of people would bend over backwards for those heads.

I read somewhere(Hot Rod?)where there was a test done on factory and aftermarket heads to compare results. All of the tests were done on unmodified heads and the 049 head had the best Int to Exh ratio and flow "out of the box" for a factory iron head(aftermarket was a different story).

I had them on my 68 camaro till the day I sold it. It was a 3200lb car with me in it, but with short block being all factory(427) except 11.5:1 comp, a not too big solid cam, RPM intake, 950HP carb and 4.56 gears, it ran a 10.89 with an M-20 at 3000ft DA. (Heads had NO work except 2.25/1.88 valves)

KEEP those heads. You won't be disappointed

Rob

He, He!!

You can do that with a good old 9.5 to 1 CR., 496"er and no more then a good old CC 282S solid cam, imho...

Just gotta get her ta hook is all...

pdq67

if your on a budget why not just use what you have and build a 454? i believe your goals are easily attainable with what you already have. mike

i have a set of 049 heads they cc'd out to 122 cc chambers with stock valves......with a 496 and flat tops(a true flat top) with .020 deck and .039 gaskets....it would be about 8.5 to 1

with a 18cc dome piston that would put ya about 9.6 to 1

jmo- if there is heating problems at idle its just not from compression....its from lack of air flow thru radiator or other cooling problems........yes more hp makes more heat but nothing a good cooling system cant take care of....base your compression off what you want out of the motor not the thinking of trying to keep it cool.

cubic inches is the way to go for reliability, more hp and torque, less rpms needed to get it.......stock bottom end with good bolts would last for a very long time in a street bruiser.

Thanks guys, just what I was looking for graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I have the 282s in my 9.6 to 1 049 headed 461. it pulls to 6000 strong. In a 496 you should use a 294s 248/248 595 595 lift. The 282s in my engine pulls 14" vacuum. it would just be to small for a 496. it'll run like a diesel all bottom end. If your interested in a new 294s comp cam I got one in stock also have a performer rpm oval to go. let me know. I'm also on L.I. chris

I just bought a 74 SS el camino w/ a 454 th400 good runner for a 1000.00. I askes the guy how much for the motor, he said 900. I bought the car, stripped everything and sold the rest for a c note. The motor had 781 heads. As it was it would tear the tires off that thing. The point is it was a good running car for a grand. It ended up having a 2bolt, cast crank, truck rods,and the 781's All of which is in the machine shop.

That's a great combo Oregon and why does everyone but me get the good deals. That should be a thumper in an El Camino. I like the 049, 702 and 781. Theres a lot of nice older heads out there that flow more than fine for the street.