camel back heads?

[Kapdin]

So had a good customer in the store the other day and told him my 79 needs new heads. He called today to tell me he has a set of "Camel back heads" he will sell me for $350. He ran them on a 79 short bed for a few years and then parted out the truck so he know they run good. But he said they don't have rocker arms and that i could just use the ones i have. Any feedback? Are these any good?

 

[animal]

Would these maybe be "double hump" heads? Never heard of camel back but that could just be me. I think the "double hump" heads are earlier 2.02 intakes. I think if this is correct they may not have ALL of the acc holes in them. Someone else will please correct me if I am incorrect.

 

[bigcountryguy19]

I believe your right animal, and from what I understand they have 64cc combustion chambers also

 

[Jims86]

I believe your right animal, and from what I understand they have 64cc combustion chambers also

Those are good older heads, but they will not have all of the accessory holes, unless he had them drilled and tapped.

 

[Kapdin]

humm so basically not what im looking for.

 

[animal]

humm so basically not what im looking for.

It depends on what you want. They are historically good heads and alot of folks like them. Like Jim said they wont have holes for ac and such unless someone has drilled and tapped them already but this could be done before installation if you needed them. Or even go with a serpentine setup if it would work. I had a set years ago but did not use them due to the acc holes.

 

[Kapdin]

acc? as in like A/C mount holes?

 

[BigAl285]

I would never drill and tap a head. The casting thickness where not all the same. I've heard of horror stories from people trying to tap their own holes. They make acc. brackets for what you need.

 

[animal]

Yep that's correct. They are from earlier cars that did not typically have ac

 

[Kapdin]

well the 79 has no a/c so i wouldn't need it anyways but if im spending any money ill just get vortec's

 

[Kapdin]

..... altho..... i would have to change manifolds...

 

[animal]

I would never drill and tap a head. The casting thickness where not all the same. I've heard of horror stories from people trying to tap their own holes. They make acc. brackets for what you need.

Good info. I have heard several horror stories as well from drilling too deep.

 

[GreaseDog]

Most likely they won't have hardened seats to run unleaded fuel, figure a valve job, surfacing, and a crack check before you even bolt on used heads. If they do need hardened seats, or any guide work, you're money ahead to just but a set of new Vortecs. Even when you factor in the cost of a new intake, it's very hard to beat the value of Vortecs. That said, a stock set of Vortecs will far outperform even modified double humps.

 

[Driver4r]

Our 86 Monte SS has a set of dealer installed camel backs on it. For a factory 305, its pretty powerfull.

 

[Driver4r]

Ok means it looks like im the only one here that ACTUALLY has heard of them. Double humps and camel backs are NOT the same thing.

Double humps also came in multiple setups also animal 2.02,1.98,and i think a 1.64. And came both with hole or without.

Camel back heads HAVE mounting holes in them for accessorys like alt,ac,pwr steering.

While newer vortec heads are said to perform better, i still like old American metal heads.

If the money allowed i would go aftermarket, but for a decent/budget price, camel backs are a good moderate power head.