goodwrench 350

I bought a used crate engine, goodwrench 350 that runs good. It has 76 cc / 8.5:1 comp.ratio heads. I want to put heads on it that will make it look like a 283 or 327,no bolt holes on front for,smooth look. What will happen if i put 283 heads on it ? Good or bad idea ?

 

Why not just fill in the holes and repaint?

 

The early heads have smaller combustion chambers so it will raise the compression a little (not a bad thing) Depending on what you use the valves may be smaller or larger. Probably won't be able to tell by seat of the pants though. I have a set of 462 heads that I'm keeping on a 327 I'm building even though there are lots of "better" heads available. Daily driving, I'll never know the difference in power.

 

why? the balancer will give it away.

 

If you go with early heads, you will need the hardened valve seats for unleaded gasoline. You will raise the compression a bit and might need a higher octaine fuel.
Mike

 

Outside of the condition of the heads, valve size and compression ratio the big thing with early heads is the exhaust valve seats and if they will be able to handle unleaded gas.

The older heads don't have hardened seats unless they were truck heads and those are usually low compression.

We put a set of 283 power pack heads on a 307 25 years ago when we built and engine out of left overs for my son's 70 Chev half ton and it ran like a bandit with a mid 70's Z28 cam.

If you have the heads built for today's gas and they are done right the worse case scenario is that your 350 will run like pretty decent power pack 283 but won't be a butt kicker at the drags.

 

Have a chrome balancer,not trying to make it original 283,put the 283 back in to do that. Just like the smooth look.

 

Heads rebuilt with new valves ,springs, hardened seats and rockers. Not going to race, just like the smooth look of the heads. A little increase in performance is a plus,just don't want too go the other way.

 

Still won't look the same and i allready have the rebuilt heads.

 

How many times have you stuck your head under a guys hood to check the balancer to see if the guy is running a late block with early top end?

 

That works for me. the performance change probably won't be real noticeable one way or the other unless you were to go to the drags and get before and after time slips. Now you need to hunt down the proper early intake and valve covers.

 

Which crate motor do you have?Comp is 7.9 on base crate motor and these heads would help.

 

That was my first thought too ,but i'm not trying too start any heated discussions . I'm not trying to fool anybody,this is for me ,i like the early smooth look of the heads. But thanks too everybody,i can't see any harm i will do and i can allways change back. JIM

 

I haven't pulled them yet,just got the engine last sat.

 

I found the casting number / 10066036 / It had been used as a replacement engine in a 84 / 4+4 that got rolled later on.

 

My 31 roadster had a cammed built 350 with 265 powerpack heads.
It runs and sounds awesome.
I sold that car but kept the engine.
It is now in the 32 roadster.
My old Cal Custom valve covers fit the staggered bolt pattern.

 

I have some early' Weiand 'valve covers that look good. I tried these heads on another 350 that had flat top pistons and got a lot of pinging and overheating . Thats why i was asking, i think this goodwrench has dished pistons ,but i havent removed the heads yet too see. Engine casting #10066036.