Looks like there is already a thread on Vortec SBC heads. Although I have built several engines I am now building my first SBC 350. After a vigorous discussion of two-bolt versus four-bolt blocks I am going to build up my '76 Corvette two-bolt for my '29 Ford roadster (in progress). The problem is after I use 9:1 cast pistons (0.030 over) and a low rpm torque cam I will end up with a pretty tame 350 using the original 882 heads rebuilt. How "bad" are the 882 heads if I only want torque with a 2.79 rear gear? I have a set of double-hump 461 bare heads but I don't want to use them because they have 64 cc chambers and I want to avoid having to use 92 octane fuel and keep the C.R. around 9:1. Now I read in several places that I can buy Vortec heads ready to bolt on (? where ?) and that I can get close to 400 H.P. with these heads and a mild cam along with a Vortec-compatible intake. Here is the problem. The Vortec heads have 64 cc chambers, right? So I am right back looking at C. R. around 10:1. Should I use dished pistons with the Vortec heads and what are you doing about the high Compression Ratio? So far I have found the comments from this site very helpful. By the way why don't you (the site) set up a set of standard links for new members? I only found the old, very complete thread on reducing pinging recently. If a new member where immediately shown come of these links that would be very helpful. Back to Vortec heads, how do you handle the high C.R. ?

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder