Thread: 185 Cast Heads

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Was wondering if any of you guys had ever used a set of the old "185" heads on a small block Chevy before, and how well they worked for you?

I have a set I am thinking about rebuilding and putting on a fresh 350. The engine will have a RV cam, a stock iron intake, a Quadrajet carb, and will be run through stock iron exhaust manifolds.

I'm certainly not looking for a high-horsepower combo as this engine will be going into an old 1984 Full Size Chevy Blazer (replacing the original 305). Would just like something that gets decent fuel mileage, and has ample low-end torque for pulling a small trailer or my 16 foot aluminum boat. The vehicle is equipped with a 700-R4 transmission.

The 185 heads had the small valve (1.72 intake and 1.50 exhaust), 70cc chambers, and were used from 1968 - 1976 on 327 & 350's. With dished pistons, I'm expecting CR will be around 8.5-1 to 9.0-1.

Your opinions or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

The 185s were a utility head, not particularly noted for any performance.

Thanks for the reply!

I realize that they were not particulary made for high performance, but I was not looking for extra high output.

I was more thinking along the lines of the small valves and small runners being well suited for decent fuel mileage and good flow velocity to have decent low-end torque.

I was unable to find any specs on the runner volumes of these heads, but I suspect there somewhere around 160 - 170cc.

I would really just like them to operate well between 1000 - 3500 rpm.

Your thoughts?

They'll work on the low end. I imagine they run out of breath around 4,000 rpm or so. If I remember, they were heavy castings, but I thought they were in the 76cc range.
I would recheck/verify the chamber size before putting in dished pistons.

They were used on '63-'67 327's, so I'd expect the chambers to be around 62-64 cc's. Why don't you get yourself a burrette and cc them, so you know where you're starting from.

If you've never done it before, read this paper I wrote....
http://streetmachinesoftablerock.com...opic.php?t=124

Thanks a lot for the input guys! It looks like a great forum here - LOTS of good information and knowledgeable folks!

I checked the casting number on Moretec, auto-ware.com, and several other on-line sources and each says 70cc chambers. I also checked 2 books that my machine shop had and both confirmed 70cc chambers and that they were indeed, heavy castings (just like MI2600 said).

Moretec actually list these heads used on 307, 327, and 350 engines. The pair that I have has the late-model style accessory bolt holes in the ends.

I was unable to find any specs on the intake runners. If anyone had those specs and could list them, I'd appreciate it.

These also look like they take the washer-sealed spark plugs. The plug holes have a real flat face. Do any of you guys know which plugs these would take?

Thanks again for the info!