[scalise71]

I am currently having a 434 built from my 396. I have a howards forged crank, Eagle H-beam rods. Comp hyd roller CCA11 444-8 Cam, harland sharp rockers. It's going in a 67 malibu, powerglide, 12 bolt 3.90's, 2800-3200 converter. Car will be a driver, but will visit the track at times. I currently have a torker II intake and holley750 vac sec. I will most likely change to a 750double pumper and air gap. What heads will be the best and why, for this combo? What kind of power should it make? Thanks for any info.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I am currently having a 434 built from my 396. I have a howards forged crank, Eagle H-beam rods. Comp hyd roller CCA11 444-8 Cam, harland sharp rockers. It's going in a 67 malibu, powerglide, 12 bolt 3.90's, 2800-3200 converter. Car will be a driver, but will visit the track at times. I currently have a torker II intake and holley750 vac sec. I will most likely change to a 750double pumper and air gap. What heads will be the best and why, for this combo? What kind of power should it make? Thanks for any info.

The brodix racerite oval ! it just fits perfectly with a cam of 248 @.050 , and the airgap/750 double pumper . Definatly ditch the torker intake ! oh AND if possible step up to a 3500 or more converter !

 

[COPO9560]

Upcoming AFR oval port heads would be another choice. On paper they appear to flow better than Brodix RR - would be interesting to see a comparison on a real engine. I have a 427 with old 840 heads and have been thinking about a head swap as well.

Make sure you want a hydraulic roller for this size engine. You will be able to turn more rpm's with solid flat tappet or solid roller - something to consider with smaller BBC. Kind of depends on how fast you want to go and how much maintenance you are willing to put up with.

 

[bracketchev1221]

You definitely need an oval port. Unfortunately there aren't many aftermarket choices. A 781 casting steel head is a good choice too.

 

[kettbo]

consider if you will PEANUT PORT heads.
Throw some 2.19/1.88s in there, usual upgrades. Excellent runner size for the engine displacement, great port velocity, supurb torque. Should power your 434 to 5500 rpm no problem.
You will be on the street 360 days a year, the track 5 days.

This thing will have more grunt than you can shake a stick at while having good manners. Could likely get you 1.7 60 fts and high 12s.

 

[scalise71]

Thanks for the replies. I was looking for a little more info. Any other opinions?

 

[gotago]

I built a 439 similiar to yours and used my 215 heads. I did the bowl blending and porting and had undercut stock sized valves and a valve job done and the motor spins up easily to 6500 with room to spare. I did have to do some grinding on the chambers so the piston domes would clear but that took less than 5 min per cylinder. The heads CCed out to about 11:1 compression with about 105ccs give or take per chamber.

I didn't have the money for anything more.

 

[kettbo]

did you drop in on this thread?
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292804
If you insist on running the Powerglide, TORQUE will be your friend, think Peanut Port

The best head will depend on your budget. I tend to be practical.....
For sure ditch the Torker II intake as soon as you can.

 

[jeffs68]

hi sam, i'm thinking about doing the same thing with my 396,,,did you have to grind the bottom of the block for more clearance for the rods and crank?? Jeff

 

[scalise71]

Jeff, I am not dong the work, but my builder is having the machine shop make the proper notches for the larger stroke crank. I definitely has to be don on the 396 block.
Sam

 

[scalise71]

George, as far as the budget for the heads, I am most likely going to wait a few months as I save a little cash, but I have no problems being in the low 2000 range. I just want to make sure everything I put into or onto this engine is of good quality. I only want to build it once. I want to have it back in the car by spring. Yes, the torker II is up for replacement. I will also be upgrading the ignition system, headers, and I just received the oil pan, pump, rockers, lifters, cam, timing chain and gears..

 

[kettbo]

Sam,

OK, low $2000 on heads... Just some people get up on the soap box here about certain of the heads, completely overlooking a few things...and end up spending lots more than they need to. Most of the aftermarket stuff is geared toward larger inch applications, lotsa cam, or both. Modest 434 BBC with Glide needs torque. If you choose to go aftermarket, get the smallest runner you can find....

 

[wildman926]

Upcoming AFR oval port heads would be another choice. On paper they appear to flow better than Brodix RR - would be interesting to see a comparison on a real engine.

X2...They would walk all over any other small port head out there, and you will get weight savings going from iron to aluminum heads. The port velocity these heads have will provide you all the torque you need, plus able to rpm that 434.:yes::hurray:

 

[scalise71]

Thanks Walter. I have heard a lot about the AFR 265's lately. I just don't have a lot of knowledge yet. George stated I sould look for the smallest runners possibe on an aftermarket head. George, Do you think tis looks good for my combo? Cam is Comp, hyd roller 248/254, 300/306,560/580, pistons will be keith black forged. Any ideas on what kind of HP/ TQ on this? Thanks for all of the feedback. Sam

 

[wildman926]

Thanks Walter. I have heard a lot about the AFR 265's lately. I just don't have a lot of knowledge yet. George stated I sould look for the smallest runners possibe on an aftermarket head. George, Do you think tis looks good for my combo? Cam is Comp, hyd roller 248/254, 300/306,560/580, pistons will be keith black forged. Any ideas on what kind of HP/ TQ on this? Thanks for all of the feedback. Sam

You are welcome. Regardless of the volume, the 265cc runners of the new AFR's are perfect for you, with LOTS of port velocity. You won't find that in the other heads. That is a pretty small port volume. And yes, I am partial to the AFR's...:thumbsup:

 

[kettbo]

I'll have to look at the heads online....only old iron boat anchors out in my garage. The volume sounds rite sized for this engine.

 

[wildman926]

I'll have to look at the heads online....only old iron boat anchors out in my garage. The volume sounds rite sized for this engine.

HERE are numbers from Tony at AFR on the new heads.

HERE is where Wolfplace test them, but on a 4.53 bore.

Very nice indeed...

 

[jeffs68]

hi sam, what pistons are you using? jeff

 

[scalise71]

Jeff, They are a KB forged piston. I can probably get the exact info soon. I was told that KB is one of the only companies that makes pistons for this application. I will be out of town for a few days, but I'll try to find out. Crank is howards 4 in stroke, eagle H-beam rods, 6.135. Maybe you can contact KB in the meantime and ask which are correct. I don't know exactly because the machine shop is getting them. I just order whatever else my builder needs. Hope that helps. Sam

 

[how69ss]

Hey Sam.

Head choice depends on money and ET goals. If you don't want to have tech issues due to no roll bar, then just go with a reworked iron head.

Do you have heads right now? What kind of shape are those in?

My 427 has 2.19/1.88 valves and porting, etc., though I have a 454 block and 396 crank and rods, etc. 520 hp/ 540 tq.

Also, I'd just go 1 3/4 header. They fit better and are cheaper, and I don't think you'd lose anything at all.

Here are some threads that will give you a good idea of what some various combinations will do.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265139&highlight=427+BBC+dyno+results

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283620&highlight=427+BBC+dyno+results

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266804&highlight=427+BBC+dyno+results