Will these heads work on my 383?

[Super Blue 72]

Hi guys!  Thanks in advance for any opinions on the matter. 

I have a stock '67 383, 2 barrel engine without heads.  I believe they originally had 516 heads, at about 10:1 or so compression.

A gentleman has a set of heads from a '76 Ramcharger Patrol vehicle with a 440, from California, that I may go see next week.  He has other parts like an intake and waterpump that I know won't work on the 383 but I may get them anyhows.  He said the engine ran well but is going with aluminum to lighten the engine for his Dart or Duster and the heads can just be bolted on the engine since it ran well before disassembly.  I figure they'll already have the hardened seats since it's a '76.

Questions:

-Does anyone know what type of heads these are?  Casting #?  Are these good heads to use just for a mild build?

-Will they work on my stock '67 383?

-Anything to look at in particular when looking at heads?  Are these heads known for cracking?

-Any guessed what my compression will be?  I think the 516 were closed chamber heads with a smaller size vs the open chamber design.


Sorry for all the questions but I'm like      .

Thanks!

[NoMope Greg]

Phil,

No way to know which heads those are without looking at them.  The casting number will be on them, likely on one of the intake runners.  If they're off the engine, it'll be easy to see, since you won't have to take the valve covers off.  They will work with your 383 - all BB heads are interchangeable, the only issue is with things like the Max Wedge heads that have raised ports and require Max Wedge specific intake and exhaust.  Not a problem here.

Once we know what they are, then we can address the question of a rebuild being worthwhile, compression ratio, etc.  Any set of heads can have hardened seats installed.   Also, get the water pump housing - I think all BB water pumps are the same.  Not that you need it if your 383 is complete.

[Super Blue 72]

  I did a little poking around on the internet...maybe 452 heads? 

[Moparal]

452's will work

[Super Blue 72]

Thanks guys! 

Sorry Greg, when I made the 2nd post I didn't see that you made a post.  D'Oh! 

Good info on the waterpump housing.  I didn't know that all the BB ones are the same.  Good to have extra stuff just in case I guess.  I hope no one buys the stuff this weekend.  Can't check out the stuff until Tuesday.

Thanks again guys! 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Phil, even my HEMI uses the same front gasket set.  (timing chain w/pump ect!) 

[Super Blue 72]

Phil, even my HEMI uses the same front gasket set.  (timing chain w/pump ect!) 

   Wooo!  I got Hemi gaskets on my engine!  You made my day, Chris! 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

At least I made someone's day!!! Point was lots of BB stuff swaps around easily... 

[bb71challenger]

If he has closed chamber heads at 10:1 wouldn't open chamber 452's or 906's drop the compression a bunch? to the tune of about 1.5 compression points? an 8.5:1 or lower 383 does not seem like the hot ticket to me.

[Chryco Psycho]

 
 using any head off a Ramcharger will be a open chamber design which will drop the compression close to 1 point , no gain here
 a better move would be to open the exhaust valve from 1.6 to 1.81 & port the 516s , then you will make some power

[Moparal]

I had noticed he said he had a short block. no heads. I also thought that shaving the heads .010 and keeping the steel head gaskets would keep him close to 9-1 comp. The 67 has almost a zero deck, and with flat tops and no valve reliefs, he is limited in cam choices. Also fuel octane factors in with the gas prices. I feel he could still make 325 hp or so with the open chamber 452 heads and be more fuel friendly for cruising. 

So my point is that the 452's will bolt right on and work, but will lower the compression around 1 point or so. If you intend to drag race or street race, it will lower the performance. If you want to enjoy cruises and local outings it will be a better choice.

[Super Blue 72]

 a better move would be to open the exhaust valve from 1.6 to 1.81 & port the 516s , then you will make some power

Thanks Chryco for the advice.  I would if I could , but I don't have 516s so I can't. 

Yeah, the closed chamber heads would be ideal like 516 or 915 heads but I did find a cheap pair of 516s but they need to be rebuilt and I had a quote of almost $1000 for a rebuild  .  I know you can get heads rebuilt for like $700 but I'm trying to go on the cheap and just get some heads for my headless engine so the price is decent and the seller figures I can use the heads as is since the engine ran well before, so he says...   

With my luck my 383 block is probably cracked.     

Yeah, bb71challenger, a low comp. 383 isn't a red light racer, but I'm just sorta collecting parts for now off craigslist that I see for a decent deal.  Heads, intake, waterpump all for $50 sounds reasonable.  Comes with the rockers/shafts too.  Another $20 will get me valvecovers. 


Thanks for the insight, Alan, yeah not going to build a drag engine or anything.  I just want to get the engine together, tinker with it and have some options in the future to play with.  I was eyeing the stroker kits from 440source but thats YEARS from now!  Hopefully they'll still be around!   

Besides, it comes with a 440 intake in the package so I may have to find a 440 block to go with it one day! 

Thanks guys! 

[Super Blue 72]

Thanks again for all the advice guys! 

I picked them up today, complete 452 heads with rockers/shafts, 440 intake, waterpump and housing for $50.  Not too bad IMO. 

But now I know why he wanted to go aluminum!  Those parts are heavy! 

[bb71challenger]

I did have a decent set of 906's shaved .050 and the big valves installed and put them on a low comp 400. It was better but not what I hoped for, even with a nice Engle cam and roller rockers. I would take a 383 over a 400 any day of the week and twice on Sunday  Good luck with the build.

[Super Blue 72]

Thanks, bb71challenger! 

But curious, why would a 383 be better than a 400?  Isn't a 400 a bored out 383, which is good?