Olds 455 Cylinder Heads?

[WyoKid]

Are there any benefits to switching to EdelBrock Performer RPM heads over the C or D heads other than the weight for the Olds 455?

 

[foxtrot]

The Edelbrock heads will flow better than the stock cast heads..

If your goals are for street use with occasional strip, I'd would just save the money and just use the stock cast heads with a good valve job & mild polish. My two cents.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Supposed to be good for 50 to 75 hp over big valve iron heads. Plus they can ported a lot more then the iron heads. Don't over look the Procomp heads, they flow close to the Edelbrock's and cost $1100 from Benard Mondello. He is NOT affiliated with Mondello Performance. He is on Ebay. They both also have no cross over to fill and improved chambers.

 

[foxtrot]

Can the Procomp heads be bolted on right out of the box? Thx.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I think you can Frank but Benard goes through them and double checks everything.

 

[L92 OLDS]

I think you can Frank but Benard goes through them and double checks everything.

Wise man^^^^^^^ If and when I go through my 455, I will be putting pro comps on it. They are based on Edelbrocks casting at half the cost. You can buy them assembled ready to bolt on but I have read about quality issues. In my book, its better to have a reputable shop check the guides and install the valves & springs.

 

[foxtrot]

$1100 quid is a great deal then! I would have to spend $1000 quid to have the machine shop go thru a set of heads for a rebuild. That doesn't include any porting work!

 

[olds307 and 403]

It is a good deal. Benard will only take them to 70 cc, no good with my current pistons. Then their is milling the intake. Too bad Procomp or Edelbrock doesn't make a set with 10 cc smaller chambers. Add an electric fuel pump, roller rockers plus gaskets equal 2 grand for us SBO guys for head upgrade. I have 2"/1.625 valves sitting in smog heads and can pick up a 68 350 for $200 here.

 

[foxtrot]

I picked up a set of number 5 heads for 300 a few years ago and then spent another grand having them rebuilt. Still a good set a heads for a SBO..

 

[rccktmn2]

If you can find a set of D heads or C heads or any other Big Block head they all flow within about 5 cfm of each other so as far as the letters and the years some had big valves some didn't (either way you can add big valves) and the period correct restoration (if your into that). Those are about the only benefits to running a cast iron head anymore. Aluminum comes with big valves, bronze valve guides, set up for roller rockers out of the box, lighter, can order cnc'd or whatever you would like. The factor comes when you have a set of cast iron heads that have big valves that are ready to go with minimal cost or do you want to spend the money on the aluminum and upgrade to roller rockers.