Which BBC heads?

[Yelcamino]

I have a 396 that a friend of mine wants to buy for his 4x4 truck. It's not lifted or anything like that, he just wants a lot of torque to tow trailers and do normal truck stuff. The heads I have for the 396 are rectangular ports and I told him they wouldn't be good for what he expects the engine to do.

Can anyone suggest which oval ports he should look for? Factory cast iron preferably because his budget is tight.

Thanks!

[Josh]

049 large oval ports

[CRead01]

^^^ double that

[bbcc]

The 049, 781, 063, and a few others are all good large oval heads. If i recall correctly the 781's are the large valve varients aswell (2.19 and 1.88). Could be wrong, can't find my big chev book with all the listings.


cheers, bbcc

[pdq67]

Depending on piston dome shape, I'd use an early pair of -206 true closed chambered heads that are down around 96.7 to 98 cc's.

No, all Mark IV engine cast-iron large ovals come with these valves in them!!

1.84"/1.66";
1.94"/1.66"; and
2.06"/1.72" and that is it.

pdq67

[LS6 Tommy]

I'd pass on the 206 & 063's. They're closed chamber 97.2 & 100cc heads. After decking the block and milling the heads, you may end up with too much compression for pump gas. Besides, open chamber heads have less valve shrouding, and run a little "cleaner" for emissions purposes. IIRC, running a closed chamber piston in an open chamber 113cc head like the 049 or 781 with as little milling/decking as you can get away with & a mid-thickness gasket will give you around 9.6-9.8:1. Both of those heads are 2.06"/1.72" valve heads. They'll make great torque with a smallish carb, mild cam & a dual plane intake.

Tommy

[Yelcamino]

They'll make great torque with a smallish carb, mild cam & a dual plane intake.

That's what we're looking for. Thanks!