Thanks Tooth, I’d love to have a set of 781’s but the shipping would be brutal. I know a guy a couple of hours from here that has a couple of sets. I’m going to do some homework and see if a new set makes more sense. Need to pick a Cam first.Wristpin was looking for a set of Oval port heads and I sold him a set of 781s I check them for cracks and magna flux them and made him a deal of the century. I would suggest calling or checking with Skip white Performance. You cannot redo a set a cast iron as a heads as cheap as you can buy these loaded oval or rectangle port high-performance with raised exhaust runners. I have checked and they guarantee them and they build them to suit with installed heights and spring pressures for the cam that you have or spec I’ve seen three sets on motors that have been built around here and they’ve all been good quality. If I ever decide to build another big block I will be ordering a set myself. Even though I have several sets of cast-iron heads large oval port on the shelf I cannot rebuild them and put the parts in them any cheaper than I can buy the aluminum complete replacements. I’ve checked! Tim, if you want a set of open chamber high-performance oval port cast-iron heads I have several sets. If you’re interested let me know and I’ll tell you what I’ve got. I can give you the date codes and all the specs. I’m sure it’ll be a good deal for you too. View attachment 88574View attachment 88575
Yes Same idea as what I just did for the 380 Don but a lot more of it. I’m thinking 550hp is realistic on a budget with this block. I’m not racing it but off the line everybody likes tire smoke! I’ve read a lot and although I’m on James’ page I think the large oval are the more practical. Easier to get and like Tooth said just as easy to buy complete new ones If I wanted. I liked doing what I did with the 817 heads and ported them myself and I can get a set of 781’s for $200. Other than changing pistons to accomodate bigger valves and compression the bottom end parts should be good. The cam, springs would have to match what I want out of it for performance but that part I don’t know. intake I’d do a single 4 barrel.You need to decide what you want the engine to do first.A power band such as the 380 ,just more of it would make a good street truck engine I would think. If you do decide on aluminum heads then a minimum of 10 to one will be needed.
I'd totally agree about he large oval port heads .550 on a budget is realistic,500 is a lot more streetable.,reliable,less maintainence.