Head identification

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

scenic760

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Posts
318
Reaction score
206
Location
SoCal
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
Suburban K10
Engine Size
350
Hey All,

I needed some parts to put my project back together and found a guy getting rid of all his SBC stuff. He had a pair of rebuilt heads which I was in need of.

The casting number points it to being a worst of the worst (by most estimations) smog head but the casting marks don't line up with that. Apparently there were two types of this heads that were available and one was production and one was over the counter.

Anyone have any idea what variety these might be? At the end of the day, they are fresh, clean and surfaced so way better than what I had regardless.

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

AKguy

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2019
Posts
543
Reaction score
892
Location
Alaska
First Name
Randy
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
K30 Crew Cab Silverado
Engine Size
460
Any paperwork regarding inspection, magnaflux, etc.? For years I have read those heads are prone to cracking. I’d say if you are not looking for a performance engine use ‘em.
 

scenic760

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Posts
318
Reaction score
206
Location
SoCal
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
Suburban K10
Engine Size
350
Any paperwork regarding inspection, magnaflux, etc.? For years I have read those heads are prone to cracking. I’d say if you are not looking for a performance engine use ‘em.

Nah, no paperwork...and like you most of the stuff I read said they were prone to cracking however there were a couple of differing reads on them...

It also looks like at some point the junk version was made in Mexico...
 

Dave M

Banned
Joined
Jul 30, 2019
Posts
602
Reaction score
1,308
Location
Australia
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
I would rather stick with head castings that are known and proven than take the risk, if these fail on you, your up for a bigger outlay.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,449
Reaction score
8,686
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
The 624s were good enough that they were the l82 corvette heads 73 thru 1980 so they are smog era decent heads. If they're already worked and ready to run run em , don't overheat them. Supposed to be crack prone I think it was number 3 and number 5 at the exhaust seat, read up a little bit, hit the prone areas with a propane torch if they're cracked the heat will make the cracks obvious. Depending on what forumn what website, etc.etc. everyhead you ask about unless it's a vortec or a double hump are the worst heads every. How can they all be the worst heads ever?
 
Last edited:

ali_c20

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Posts
1,302
Reaction score
1,853
Location
Austria
First Name
Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350
I had this heads on my original K5 engine. They work as expected, low end torque is ok, power is so so. If you're looking for higher compression and performance I would not use them. Check them for cracks.
 

scenic760

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Posts
318
Reaction score
206
Location
SoCal
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
Suburban K10
Engine Size
350
Apparently there were at least 3 different versions of heads with this casting number. The VAST majority of them were production cars, then as police cars and then as an over the counter "performance" (80's standards anyways). The production castings are prone to cracking however the other two were not.

I think these are the police car variety as it would line up with the guys story I got them from. He said he would buy stuff at government auctions and have his mechanic tear them down and rebuild the heads, etc to service his fleet vehicles.

Not looking for a dragster build but not wanting a future problem either!
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,163
Posts
950,661
Members
36,276
Latest member
2manysquares2care
Top