[Cable]

Hey guys, a buddy of mine owed me some money and offered to settle the debt with a brand new pair (bare) of iron Pro Topline 083 (or L98) replacement heads (never out of the original boxes). Since the debt was under $200 and the deal included brand new set stainless 1.94/1.5" valves, .600" lift springs/retainers/locks, and PC viton seals.

I accepted figuring that they should make a decent head for a mild 355 rebuild, 9.5:1 CR Speed-Pro hypers, Summit 1103 hyd cam (.442/.465", 214/224 [email protected]", 112 LSA), Performer RPM intake/Q-Jet, going into my 5500 lbs K5 Blazer w/4.11 gears, 700R-4, 33" tires, 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust (UltraFlo Race Magnums).

Anyway, I just looked over them and except for some minor flash under the exhaust seats (flashing where the seat meets the unmachined area) they seem to be nice heads. The flash is nothing a carbide bit and 5 mins with a die-grinder won't fix.

Some of the nicer things I've noticed over stock heads are thick decks, large and smooth water passages, machined for screw-in studs and guideplates, slotted pushrod holes, high valve cover rails, and come already machined for PC seals.

I have to say that was really suprised how clean they are in terms of casting flash in other areas. I've own a few sets of World Heads and they always required a decent amount of time to clean up all the flash on them right out the box.

I will be dropping them off at the machine shop sometime this week to have them looked at by a pro mainly due to the rumors I've heard about the guides being off in these heads right out of the box. If the guides messed up, I'll just have the guides machined for a complete bronze replacement (not liners) which I am half tempted to do even if the cast iron guides are fine.

So, I am wondering what you guys think? I know Pro Topline hasn't always had the best rep, but how bad can these really be? Do you think they might benefit from some sanding rolls and port matching to a Fel-Pro 1205 gasket?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks guys!!

 

[RATtyCamino]

Aren't L98 heads aluminum?

 

[Busted Knuckles]

I used a set of their Vortec 906 castings on a 383 build. We didn't have any geometry, guide or other issues - they're working fine. I have a couple of sets of big block heads and they're as clean of casting as I've ever seen, no drift or core shift what we could find.

 

[Chevy fan attic]

I bought, ported and installed a set of alum PTL heads for a big block. 320 runners that were ported to flow better than the 360,s. 119 cc chambers. Two gents that bulid super comp motors for a living said they were good.

 

[Cable]

Aren't L98 heads aluminum?

Some were aluminum that were on Vettes from '87-'92. F-Bodies got iron heads. Both were called L98 motors/heads.

 

[RATtyCamino]

Some were aluminum that were on Vettes from '87-'92. F-Bodies got iron heads. Both were called L98 motors/heads.

Thanks for the clarification!:beers:

I used a set of the aluminum ones on a goodwrench 350 a few years back with a 268H cam and an RPM intake. Ran great and turned out to be the perfect cheap, street small block.

Bill

 

[cv67]

L98 motors, at least most from what I know used an angle plug. As long as your headers acceot that go for it. Intake bolt angle in the middle standard?

 

[jbird]

I know a guy that sells/builds quite a few iron SBC PTL heads for circle track racers. No quality issues of any kind that I am aware of. The circle track guys love them!

 

[Cable]

L98 motors, at least most from what I know used an angle plug. As long as your headers acceot that go for it. Intake bolt angle in the middle standard?

The iron ones are straight plug, the aluminum were angle plug.

Wouldn't matter either way, I have truck headers with tons of room.

 

[DOUG G]

Through a set of 200cc Iron Lightning on my 406, big improvement.
Casting looked fine here also.
From my understanding it was the early heads that had the issues.

 

[Munro]

Im running some iron 200cc ones on a street solid rollered 355 and love them.

 

[Cable]

Well I picked up the heads from the machine shop and he says they were spot on, no valve job needed, just assembly.

When I dropped them off the shop owner was really impressed with alot of the features over the factory heads they were designed to replace.

They are now bolted to my mild 355 rebuild and waiting to get dropped into my K5 Blazer.