I just got a pair of 461 heads from my friend for free. They had been sitting around for bout 5 years. They ran when They came off the engine, but they look pretty sad (rusty, and cobwebs) at the moment. Would it be worth it to rebuild and put these heads on the 350 in my elky?

The 350 currently has 882 heads that are having a real problem and I have been looking for a replacements. Would it be costly to get these heads back in working order?

thx,
Tim

The first thing you need to do is carry them and have them magnafluxed, this can answer alot of questions.If they don't have any cracks, ask the machine shop to give you a price estimate for a complete rebuild, including surfacing,to do away with some of the rust you describe.They will be able to tell you , from a professional standpoint, if they will be worthwhile to fix, or if you will be wasting your money.It's hard to tell you,with out looking at them firsthand.Then you can plan your course from there, whether to fix, or buy others.

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' 72 Malibu project ACES # 1282 Team Member # 427
' 70 C-10 Pickup

Yeah, just cause they're "fugly" don't coun't them out. If they're assembled, how deep do the valves sit in the seats? If they're apart see how a valve seats and how tight the guides feel.

Have 'em tanked and fluxed. See what the seats and guides are like. It might take a little work to clean them up, but it may be worth it if they haven't been rebuilt to death and have decent guides ( you'd want to bronze them anyway).

Tim,
What is wrong with your 882 heads ? Personally, other than the nostalgia value, I think the 461's are boat anchors. They will need hardened exhaust seats, new guides, valve job, resurface etc and you will still have a 30 year old set of heads. The machine work alone without any new valves or springs will be around $350 The 882 heads are really not bad heads. They already have hardened seats from the factory. We have used them in quite a few performance street motors with very good results. I would just have them done, unless of course they are cracked or have some other type of unrepairable damage. E-mail me if you have any other questions.

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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

1971 Heavy Chevy - original owner
Team Chevelle #100

Having had both heads on my engine & flowbench, I would pick the 461's. However, make sure you dont need accesory bolt holes in the ends, cause the 461's aint got em, and they're definitely not worth fixing if you do. Get a set of S/R heads from world for about 480 bucks complete. Bolt them on & enjoy accessory bolt holes, and the air flow potential of the 461's

Just my onion er opinion

Where can you get SR heads for $480? the best price I've seen is $600+.

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Pat Kelley
66 El Camino, daily driver
67 El Camino, STRIP/street

With Vortec heads going for a little over $400.00 out of the box, a pair. I wouldn't mess with the 461s or the 882s if they need anymore than a quickie valve job.

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Harley
69 461 El Camino Nitrous Model, 69 Chevelle coupe
70 El Camino,71 SS Camaro
75 L-82 Corvette,71 Gremlin X
Kerrville,Tx.

I agree the vortec heads are only bout 400 bucks, but when u take into account the 150-200 dollar intake you have to buy to fit it,they are not that cheap.

[This message has been edited by TimG (edited 10-21-99).]

Add in the rail rockers and center bolt valve covers for the Vortecs and the price goes up more. Also the exhaust ports are .100" higher, this may or may not be an issue.

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Pat Kelley
66 El Camino, daily driver
67 El Camino, STRIP/street