Which heads to use 2

[Rookie Vette owner]

Looking at heads just like "69396 chevy" but I'm building a 427 and hope that the difference in the weight of the aluminum heads will offset the need to convert to a big block suspension due to the increase in weight of a big block over a small block. I've looked at a lot of the suppliers catalogs/site's(Brodix, Edelbrock, Dart, TFS, World, etc...) and nobody makes any reference to the weight of their heads. Anybody got a set setting on a bathroom scale that can give me an idea? I figure the cost of suspension parts would be close to a good set of heads, the suspension is fresh and a motor can always benefit from a diet.

confusedconfused
TIA

 

[milo30]

call up whichever company that you decide to use and talk to them. I am sure that their tech people will have that info for you. That's one of the selling points of their product, the weight reduction.

 

[Vette79]

don't forget heat dissipation.

 

[Tom Bryant]

The reason for the '67 L88 having alluminum heads was to reduce front end weight for better handling. I can't remember the numbers any more but it was much closer to small block front/rear balamce than the all iron 427. I'd also use an alloy water pump and an alluminum radiator to shave off a few more pounds.

Did you see the oval port shootout in the March '08 Car Craft? They tested several aluminum oval port heads on their 496 mule engine with some very interesting results. The Trick Flow was the hp per dollar winner but they all were knocking on 600 hp in a streetable package. Good reading and I strongly suggest it before you place an order.

Tom

 

[JohnZ]

A pair of factory BB aluminum heads weighs 73# less than a pair of iron heads.

 

[Hib Halverson]

The number I always heard was 60 lbs off the front end when you switch to aluminum heads.

Is the 73 number for bare heads or head assemblies?

 

[Rookie Vette owner]

Well, I got the wife's scales out and the steel head weighs in at 76.6 lb. I was also at the machine shop today checking on my block, and they had a bare Canfield head that he let me pick up. A good guess was about twenty pounds, so I guess I can figure to knock about a hundred pounds total off of the big blocks' weight. Without knowing the actual weight of a complete small or big block, I believe knocking that hundred pounds off, will keep the weight close to that of the original 350. I have found a few articles in PHR, Corvette Fever and other mags, about building big blocks and I'm still looking for the Car Craft article.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Tom Bryant]

I'm still looking for the Car Craft article.

If you can't find a March Car Craft let me know and I'll scan it for you.

Tom

 

[Rookie Vette owner]

If you can't find a March Car Craft let me know and I'll scan it for you.

Tom

Thanks I just had to dig it out of my stack of reading material. looks like it has a lot of info.

 

[JohnZ]

The number I always heard was 60 lbs off the front end when you switch to aluminum heads.

Is the 73 number for bare heads or head assemblies?

That's the published Chevrolet Engineering weight differential between 1967 L-71 and L-89 engines; the heads are the only difference.

 

[69vert]

has anybody uses patriot heads I hear there pretty good for the money and U.S made