What are the best heads for the olds 455? Stock or should I just go aftermarket?I believe its a 74 motor and seems all stock. I'm not real familiar with olds motor so any recommendations would be great. Ill probably do a cam swap at the same time and depending on how the motor looks inside possibly a complete rebuild. I wont be doing anything to it till spring. The car is mainly a street car with a few passes at the strip. No drag tires. A 200r4 is going in it with a 3.73 posi 7.5 rear ( lets see how long it lasts lol).
455 heads
- Thread starter blk74nova
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C, e ,d, f (way $$$$$ and not worth it.) g and ga heads are ok. my choice for factory is the c heads. you probaby have j heads on the 74. junk them. port the egr bump on the exhaust side for a bit more flow . thats all i do. dont go nuts with a high rpm cam. use the famous olds torque god gave them.
"C" heads are said to be the best flowing in stock form, fairly easy to find at a decent price. Anything is better than what you probably have on the engine now, assuming you have the "J" heads. Aftermarkets are better if you have the cash to swing.
The reality is that, with the exception of the J heads, all BBO heads flow within about 10% or less of each other. If you plan to do any porting at all, then it really doesn't matter which ones you start with.
Like Joe said, if your going to do any porting then you can just keep the 'J' heads and use them. Its the exhaust side of the J heads that really hinder performance. Open up the bowls and do a little runner port work and you'd be set.
But, it is MUCH easier to just start with a better set of heads if you either have a set or can find them fairly easily.
Your only other options would be a set of Edelbrock aluminum heads or Rocket Racing heads. However the Rocket Racing heads require they're special intake as the intake ports have been relocated compared to stock.
Personally I love the Edelbrocks. But if you go that route, order them bare (without springs or valves) and then buy good quality springs and valves from a known Olds specialist. Have a quality valve job done on them and your set to go.
But, it is MUCH easier to just start with a better set of heads if you either have a set or can find them fairly easily.
Your only other options would be a set of Edelbrock aluminum heads or Rocket Racing heads. However the Rocket Racing heads require they're special intake as the intake ports have been relocated compared to stock.
Personally I love the Edelbrocks. But if you go that route, order them bare (without springs or valves) and then buy good quality springs and valves from a known Olds specialist. Have a quality valve job done on them and your set to go.
Are there issues with the valves & springs edelbrock uses?? I have been contemplating which direction to go factory vs aftermarket.
Oldsmoletick said:
Not necessarily. It's just been said by most of the Olds builders as well as a few guys that have purchased the heads fully assembled that Edelbrock's valve job leaves a little to be desired.
I bought my heads bare from a place called AJ USA. They typically have free shipping on the heads and being bare, I think I paid $1100 for them brand new. And even though they are bare, they still came with the rocker studs and guide plates.
I ended up spending another $500 on Isky springs, custom 2.120"/1.710" undercut and swirl polished intake and exhaust valves along with the proper retainers and keepers. Then $80 for my machinist to do a nice valve job on the heads and assemble them.
So in the end, I didn't really spend much of any more on my heads than a fully assembled set but I have exactly what I want.
I will probably pick up a bare set of aluminum heads. I have heard alot of people say to get bare casting. Then the springs can be matched to the cam. Thanks for the info everyone
Stick with the J's, do a bit of port.. mainly on the exhaust side.. add a nice 3 angle valve job.. and they will flow just as well as or even better than Cs
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