427 heads

[L79v]

Thank you, I'll consider that, and get a professional opinion.
Gene

[RICK LAKE]

L79v Gene not going to bang on the Dove soapbox but looking at time and mileage. They are aluminum heads and can be repaired easy. ERA Chas has it right. The problem is finding a guy who can pressure test them after repair and run them in an oven to product heat cycles of a motor. need 100-125 psi internal for good pressure test. There is also a sealer out on the market that seals the water jackets. There is cheap stuff. This kit is about $200.00 and GM uses it on Caddie motors for head gasket problem. When done right have not had a return failure yet. This is what dove should have used years ago.
Fill in pits and polish them. Cracks can be pinned or justed filled in. How did you get pits in the heads? Knocking, pre ignition, running lean, over hot spots from the casing not being cleaned after machine work.
If you have alot of money into these heads with porting and polishing, I would repair them. If not I would look at a set of heads with a stage 2 or 3 job done.
I also have a set of Shelby heads with a stage 2 port and work done from Mike Lefevers when he was at Shelby. They where the only game in town in 98, I have also a set of Edelbrock heads worked to the max that flow about the same numbers as Bylkins. T&D rocker setup.
Last question, How big a camshaft in this motor and what rpm and max rpm are you running? Stock heads may be all you need or want if this is a cruise with a little fun. Rick L.

[L79v]

Rick,
I'm the third owner, I have what information was passed on to me. Engine was bored .020
over, has a 428 crank, Reed cam. Duration 282 In. 292 Ex., 250 and 259 @ .050.
Valve lift with 1.76 RR .597 and .616. Lobe centers 112. I have only put about 1200 miles on it so far. The MSD box limiter was set to 6300. Although the car is not unfamiliar with a drag strip (by original owner), I just want a spirited, fun car. I had no idea there would be so many choices in heads (including repairing present ones, if they can be salvaged). The good news is the block, crank, pistons, rods, and cam are all in good shape. Engine builder is out of work this week, will be talking with him next week.
What I did learn in trying to decide what to do is that I have a lot to learn! Thanks to all who have replyed,
Gene

[RICK LAKE]

L79v Gene sound like my motor, lees a couple of cubes. I have a 482 with a hydro roller, 587"-607" 112LSA. 10.0 compression. Nothing fancy. Makes stupid torque off idle and smokes the tires. You are not crazy, yet() with power. Compare price for rebuild heads against buying new. Without a good history of how the car was used or abused we are at a crap shoot. Only other note, where both heads with problems or just one? I know Dove has worked to repair both the forging issues and their reputation. We don't know how old these heads are and when they where cast. I would price around and get prices from guys here about getting a set of stage 2 heads with basic cleaning of ports, gasket matching to the intake, and unschrouding of the valves a little. Blue thunder, Edelbrock, Shelby( buying a name, but foundry work is good) or maybe a set off CC.
We don't need to get crazy here. Other side note, you didn't say which manifold you are running but some of them have a 10-40 cfm different in flow to each cylinder. Joe Craine does an intake port matching to get any intake manifold within 3-6 cfm and help balance out air flow to all cylinders. The job looks like jewelry when done. It's a shame to cover it up. 1 week turn around, great price. Did a Dove intake for me, works great. Sent many members to him. All have been very happy with his work. Call for cost 210-521-4620 is last number I have at this time. Good luck. Tell us how it turns out. Rick