[almega]

I'm rebuilding an engine that was "donated" to me. It is a 1968, 327 block with 76cc heads from a 350 (approx 1972-1974, casting no. 3998920). According to a chart I read, that equates to about an 8.5 to 1 compression ratio. I would like to get the compression up to about 9.5 to 9.7, which would require the chamber volume to be about 64 or 65cc.

My question is, can I mill the heads to get to the compression level I want and if so how much do I have to take off the heads?

Thanks,
Scott

[firestone]

That is a good way to get what you want. I think that the amount that can be milled depends on the heads. I would call a local machine shop and see what they say about the heads you have.

Adam

[bracketeer]

You can plane the heads down to lower cc size. Edelbrock heads are all alike. They just plane down the deck. Can this be done to your heads? Take them to a machinist and see what he says.

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

You would have to mill those poor heads approx .080 to get the chambers down to 64ish. Then your intake won't fit and the heads would no longer seal the top of the block!! Shorter push rods and valve to piston problems.. Not even worth the effort!!!!

[ratlover]

a set of "camel hump" heads are usually 64cc, I believe. Fairly common in these parts, as a lot of people are facing the decision to consider the cost of rebuilding vs. buying new aluminum (or hi po aftermarket cast iron heads) for a few dollars more and flog their cherished 60's castings to help finance the deal. Keep your eyes open at swap-meets this spring.... you never know what you might find.
I planed my BBC 781 castings .030" and it was just about the limit of what you can achieve without machining the intake manifold.(Unless you run a shim intake gasket) .080" may be a little much (almost 1/8"!) it would be cool if you try it anyway, and let us know how it works out if you do. the pushrod thing must be kept in mind though, it really throws out the geometry unless the correct length is achieved.
now that I think about it.... after all that you could just get a smaller cc head and have way less hassle.

[almega]

Thanks for the input. I think I am inclined to go along with the idea of different heads that already have the smaller chambers. Actually the double hump heads that I've seen on Ebay are probably less expensive than doing all the work necessary to make my current heads work

Thanks again for all the help.

Scott

[k-star]

I would not mill the heads either....

You may want to consider a set of aftermarket heads with the size chamber you want. You will get the newer head technology. Spend some time adding up all the work you will get into a set of heads and price some iron eagles or maybe some vortec's ( including the intake) and i think in the long run you will be better off....

Keith

[johnsongrass1]

Those heads won't go that far. You got about .005 max.

Those heads won't go that far. You got about .005 max.