get the exhaust seats modified or get budget aftermarket heads for more power

 

1000 miles a year they will last a very long time. Likely longer than you'll want them before updating anyway.

 

I agree, with the low usage the exhaust seats on this isn’t going to be a problem.

Bogie

 

ok, wirh the way the economy is going I really did't want to have alot of money sitting in an engine that i would seldom use and Unlikely gas prices will drop. Am really more interested in doing body work custom... there is a guy up here sellin some 327 heads ( 2 sets) Some appear to have larger valves installed may take a look at them thanks

 

If you are looking for a performance advantage over the 882 heads with the 441s there wont be any. there is 2 versions of the 882 heads the late versions where prone to cracks due to a lite casting.

 

I would want to know for sure what pistons you had in the engine. If the "stock" engine happens to have 4 valve relief flat top pistons...adding closed chamber, cast iron heads to a shorter duration "stock" cam might run into problems running on pump gas. If the plan is 87 octane, the open chamber 441/882 might be the safe bet.

One other thing to note would be whether or not you need the heads to have the accessory bolt holes.

 

ok I'll get better imformation and get back. all this is more involved than boltin stuff on thanks

 

got these headers for free of a 1980 corvette?( cut off n welded up the air injection pipes) have a 2barrel manifold n 2 jet carb also castiron Qjet manifold

 

parts

 

250.00 paid for this pulled engine n trans together under a tree

 

Yep you are going budget i have done the same years ago. stick with the 882 if possible i would say clean them up check them out i would say they are good heads most motor homes are low miles i would put new seals in for sure. cam & lifters a good break in @ 1800 for 20 min with zinc break in oil. should be fine.

 

The motor homes are a good source but tearing them apart is a bit much when your 66 years young

 

almost new camshaft? toss it out

 

yes i would toss it . best to buy a cam kit new cams have a coating witch helps start that lifter spin. make sure the lifters turn free on install. its critical on flat tappet.

 

Given what you learned by driving it, you could go pretty low buck with what you have there.

Post #9 reads like you have already done what is listed there. Have you done that already AND have 300 to spend or do you still need to do the short block assembly?

Post #11 has the only curiosity I have by the photos. In the photo of the short block, look at the punch marks on the pistons. They appear to be in a 5,7,1,3 order instead of the 1,3,5,7 order expected. If it ran well and the bearings looked good, I would just go by the markings you made upon disassembly. Ignore the punch marks and put it back together the way you marked it.

Dished pistons and open chamber heads would have me thinking Summit K1101 cam and lifter kit. It looks like the factory used a steel shim head gasket there for good reason. I don't think I would do that now though after who knows how many duty cycles did who knows what to how flat the surfaces are now.

The heads you pulled off the engine are probably "good enough" to use as is from what you described about driving it. If you kept everything in order you could pull the valves, get rid of the crud, hand lap the valves, clean it up and put it together. At the risk of sparking debate or being called a hack...with the K1101 cam I wouldn't be afraid to reuse the springs/retainers/locks after installing the new valve seals from the gasket kit. The same cam be said for pushrods and rockers. Ideally they were kept in order and they do wear mate themselves. For what you're doing I wouldn't be afraid to mix and match if they are out of order.

Oil pump would be a good idea. Melling M-55 or M-55A (my choice). A high volume pump has no place in this application.

Timing chain set would be on the list.

For now I would use the intake for which you had a working carburetor. A working Quadrajet and manifold would be ideal. Whatever combination you use connect the TH350 detent "kickdown" cable to it and take the time to set it up correctly.

Fluid and filter for the TH350 is a given. Now would be the easiest time to install a blue box Transgo shift kit, if budget allows. It really does help the transmission and it adds to the fun factor even with a stock engine in front of it. This can be an upgrade at any time. The shift shaft bracket on that TH350 may or may not work with your truck linkage and is easy to swap out.

Just some thoughts on how I might go about a build like this. Most of the folks here know a lot more than I do and may chime in if there are any bad ideas in any of this. If you end up with different heads (more compression) the cam and valvetrain stuff would be different.

 

I had installed some parts like the used cam n old oil pump, but I got some xtra money n decided to redo it.I work as a maint man in a large nursing home during lockdown I stayed close to home n put the used parts on, It will be all redone camshaft, oil pump...The Covid was difficult maybe 35 deaths when I was there. One of my jobs was to let the funeral home in and go with them to collect the deceased. It appears to be under control now

 

thanks 'ill sort it out in time. You have to figure in the "grandpa" factor. I don't need a highoutput engine just want to tool around in a old truck or whatever. My grandkids other grandpa has a nice 66 impala n just put in a 383 crate motor but I would rather do some custom paint bodywork anyone can spend money but not everyone can put together something cool that everyone likes

 

yea the horsepower factor just aint going to be there with dish pistons & open chamber heads with a 2 barrel. if you where close i would hook you up with some desent parts to get some more out of it. i have parts packed up in buildings i never will use.

 

yea i thank averythang hit the fan all at 1 time. that job would not have been for me. i guess i have been lucky as far as i know i never had it. im 61 i stay in my garage a lot. i done 4 engines at that time. 2 drag 2 custom

 

make sure youre running a good clutched fan. and Im with the other guys, you've saved plenty of money, buy a Summit K1101 cam/lifters and life will be less stressful

am getn cam n lifters next n do heads last,I keep ckn marketplace n see many people selling heads. maybe find something better than mine. alot of these parts around from unfinished projects. not a truck, but very cool 58 buick

 

make sure youre running a good clutched fan. and Im with the other guys, you've saved plenty of money, buy a Summit K1101 cam/lifters and life will be less stressful

 

Wow! That's a great car! Chrome and big fins have always looked amazing to me. That will be a head turner.

 

I think it's a 57 not 58. I am not sure but 57 chev parts like windows, door parts might be the same. there are other cars trucks out there just have to look for them. With the inflation getn bad people more open to lowering prices

 

I remember Dad had a new '57 then a new '59. That is a '58 Buick. My Dad was a big Buick guy.

 

the 896 heads have got a washer or spacer under the valve springs also these have a thick valve spring retainers flat with a "H" cast into the retainer tops. the other heads have the regular retainers

 

going to breadown the 882s , 896s and see how worn the valve guides are worn unless low wear will scrap them. some of the heads look like they were never run with new valves I have a tray I can soak them in old atf n diesel fuel

 

882 heads are not even worth the effort to pick them up
off the floor

 

ok I'll hook a chain on them and drag to the scrapyard