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305 HO heads # 14102187

46K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  Camaro Dude 
#1 ·
Are these a good casting to run on my 64 283 with flat tops, 4 spd. and small flat tappet solid lifter cam?
 
#2 ·
:noway:
The -601 305 HO heads are much better. I've got two 283 engine projects going on right now and using those heads on both. :cool:
 
#5 ·
They might have been on a Monte SS most recently, but they did not originate there. As Novadude says, they are TBI heads. Junk. Although, they're actually the ones off of the 305 TBI motors in F-bodies. Basically the same as the truck heads, but with smaller chambers and valves.

The correct heads from a 87-88 MC SS would be 081 casting. They're the same ones that came on the 87-up TPI 305 motors. Very similar to the 416 overall, except with the center valve cover bolts and later-style intake bolt angles.
 
#10 ·
Yup, -187 heads are the TBI "swirl port" heads that don't flow all that great.
Better heads would be any of the 305 H.O. varieties that RB69SS396Conv mentions. (Basically, the heads that were used on the High Output 305's) Stock, they all have the "small-ish" 1.84 intake valves, and ~150-160cc intake runners. -601's have ~55cc chambers, -416 and -081 heads have ~58cc chambers.

I'm running -416's with Z28 springs on my 283 stroker motor and am pretty happy, but they were free and my expectations weren't that high :).

I thought the 305 vortec heads weren't that popular due to the lower flow capability. The typical 350 vortecs should work quite well if you can keep the compression up (and you're OK getting a new intake, rocker arms, ...)
 
#13 ·
I dont know if the original poster has made a decision on which heads he is going with... but for the sake of future searches done by interested parties therein, the 305 "HO" 416/081 and 601 heads flow less than the Vortec 305 059's. This is proven fact information over at thirdgen.org which is very big into 305 performance for obvious reasons. There you will find numerous 416/081 & 601 head flow tests, stock and ported and for what its worth..... the 305 059 vortec heads flow similar numbers to the 062 counterparts. Even with a smaller valve and slightly smaller runners, they are only marginally down (225 vs 215 cfm) @ .500" lift intake. The 305 HO heads from the eighties flow 170-199cfm intake. Exhaust is poor on all of them and should be ported, no matter what for an easy gain.

Sorry for bringing back an old thread.

EDIT ... PS... Unless your getting a deal, Vortecs NEW with matching intake are not that much more cost effective than a set of aftermarket aluminum sbc heads. Especially anything thats got TPI or most any other EFI intake.

Thanks,
Rob.
 
#14 ·
I have never seen a stock 601 flow more than 180. 416's are worse. Swirl ports flow about 165. I have cut the "swirl" out of the port and just left the bowl portion, but smoothed it. Intake flow then jumps to 210. Personally, double humps are a lot easier to work with and more flow. Just my two cents worth.
 
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