86 Aluminum Heads

[C4ME]

Where is the location to find the engine suffix code that details whether a car has aluminum heads? I am interested in a local 86 and the seller claims it has aluminum heads.


Thanks
C4me

 

[JonM]

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/1986/86id.html

 

[vette-dude]

Easy check is to use a magnet. If it don't stick to the heads, they're Aluminum.

Randy

 

[c4cruiser]

The 85 heads were cast iron. Factory aluminum heads first appeared on 86 verts. Coupes followed later. The heads could also be aftermarket units, but a check with a magnet is the best way to check.

 

[C4ME]

Very wise vette-dude. Thanks

 

[larry bud]

You can tell just by looking at the bolt pattern on the valve covers on a stock motor. The cast iron has the bolts on the edges of the cover, the aluminum heads has the bolts right down the center of the cover.

If it's not stock, a magnet sounds good.

 

[C4ME]

Ah yes, the ole bolt down the middle trick...Thanks Y'all very much. I am now armed with the info. BTW they are touted as stock and I am aware that the convertibles where all fitted with the little alloyed jewels, but are there numbers of the coupes which were fitted with these Johnnys?

 

[C4ME]

P.S. I have nearly warn the cover off a copy of the Cor-Vette Specs book. It is very interesting from a documentatoin of the design angle.

 

[Ken]

... are there numbers of the coupes which were fitted with these Johnnys?

Precise numbers? No. But some coupes were equipped with 'em.

 

[The Car Whisperer]

Coupes definitely have them, late rpoduction 1986. I have them on my all original coupe. The engine number stamped on the block will tell you if the engine originally came with them.

 

[Moonunit 451]

That block number ain't all that easy to see. It's on the top pass side back by where you mate up the tranny, about 11 o'clock.

 

[The Car Whisperer]

That block number ain't all that easy to see. It's on the top pass side back by where you mate up the tranny, about 11 o'clock.

The number I'm refering to is the number stamped on front of the block right in front of the cylinder head. It is coded to tell you if the engine came with Aluminum heads or not.

 

[bossvette]

You can tell just by looking at the bolt pattern on the valve covers on a stock motor. The cast iron has the bolts on the edges of the cover, the aluminum heads has the bolts right down the center of the cover.

If it's not stock, a magnet sounds good.

the magnet is best as all GM small blocks went to a centerbolt head around 87, and without knowing the history (or numbers) of the car you can never be sure the engine is origional

 

[The Car Whisperer]

the magnet is best as all GM small blocks went to a centerbolt head around 87, and without knowing the history (or numbers) of the car you can never be sure the engine is origional

The engine number will verify that the engine is or is not the original engine for that vehicle.
If your looking for an 87' then it should have the aluminum heads no matter what. They became standard issue in late 1986 model year production. If you just want to know if the engine has aluminum heads then of course a magnet is the way to go, but if you want to know if you have the original engine and if it indeed was supposed to have the aluminum heads then the engine number will verify all this for you.
The pad in front of the right cylinder head has 2 lines of letters and digits stamped on it, they should appear similar to below. This is what's on my block, yours will differ. If you need to decode yours post it here and I might be able to help you decode it.

#V0224ZJH

V

Flint Plant

02

February

24

Day Built

ZJH

Eng Code 8, Option #L98, 350CI, 235 HP, CR 9.5:1, Fuel Inj, Auto Trans, Al Heads




#1G5XXXXXX

1

Division Identification - Chevrolet Division

G

Model Year - 1986

5

Assembly Plant - Bowling Green

XXXXXX

Production Sequence Number (Matches last 6 digits of VIN)

 

[Moonunit 451]

Good info Mr. Whisperer