Which 318 heads?

[Tonefiend]

So its going to be a while before I have the loot to build my 340. In the meantime I'd like to make my 318 as good as it can be and gain a little experience and fun working on it. There is some weeping around the head gasket area and I have a jacked up valve cover bolt hole. Not to mention the fact that my Valve guides probably need replacing as the car smokes a bit.

I am going to leave the short block alone. It has the stock exhaust manifold and an RV cam in it. I also have a 70's era Edelbrock intake manifold with a 650 Edelbrock carb. Eventually I will build the 340 so If some of the parts can transfer to that it would be a bonus. I want to get a cheap set of heads That I can port and polish myself That will work well with the stock short block and RV cam. I would also consider a new intake manifold if it works with my 340 build. It might also be a good time to switch to headers As I will be using them with the 340.

 What would you guys suggest I do spending as little money as possible? Performance been better fuel economy would be bonuses. I want to spend as little as possible as I will likely be giving the motor away when I get the 340 built.

[smallblock]

I put a set of the 302 casting swirle port heads on my 318. There closed chamber heads so it will bump your compression up a little and they flow really good. Think they were only on police cars in 85 and 86 but not sure.

[Chryco Psycho]

87-92 for the swirl 302 heads

[Tonefiend]

Very good thanks guys!  I'll get a set of rebuilt 302 heads.  Would therebe a big advantage to porting and polishing them?  I have some friends who can help me do that if needed.

What sort of performance increase would I be looking at with these on the stock 318 with the RV cam?

Would now be a good time to get the edelbrock intake manifold?  I'm looking at abot 400hp in the 340 so I was looking at the air gap.   Would that work on both engines and be beneficial to the 318 for now keeping my edelbrock 650?

It would also be a good time to put on some headers.  I'll search for rscommendations there.

[Tonefiend]

Also anything to worry about putting fresh heads on an old unmachined block? Should I use new bolts? Whats the best gasket for this application?

[smallblock]

The 302 casting heads are what im useing. I have a stock bottom end decient cam, dont remember the specs but it thumps pretty good. I have a Wiend X-Cellerator intake and a Holley 600. Putting headers on it right now. Im kind of in your situation as I have a built 360 that I will eventually use but still want to have fun with the 318 as it still runs great. Im not saying you should rush out and get the 302 heads for sure but they have worked really good for me.

[Chryco Psycho]

IMO there are only 3 headers to use , TTI , Dougs , or the Hooker 5115 all 3 stay above the steering link anything else is junk
 you could grab a set of the 308 360 castings , it will drop the compression a bit with the larger chamber but it is a better head for the future 340
 Use the same head bolts , FelPro gaskets