049 Heads

[84K30]

1984 RCLB Chevy K30, 454, SM465, NP205, D60, 14FF w/4.10 gears

I found a pair of complete 049 heads locally for $175. From what I’ve read, they’re a desirable head for daily driver/towing applications.

Depending on what I find (2 vs 4 bolt mains, stock bore vs .030, 0.060) when the 454 in my K30 quits (runs well but uses some oil and has a minimum of 130k miles & could very well be 230 or more), I plan have a 461 or a 489 built.

I use my truck as a truck and tow occasionally. I put about 2000 miles on it per year of mixed city and highway (65-70mph) driving.

I’d like to have something reliable, that will serve me another 100k plus miles and that is comparable power wise to ford’s 7.3 gas engine and chevy’s 6.6 l8t gas engine.

Should I pull the trigger on these heads? If yes, is there anything specific I should look for before dealing out the cash? Thanks.

-Eric

 

[nvrenuf]

Make sure they’re in good shape (no cracks, etc).

That said 049 and 781 casting heads are THE factory oval port to have, I’d buy them.

Note; in stock form these heads have small valves which are fine for low end power but if you’re looking to build a hell raiser you’ll want to have bigger valves installed (which requires machine work).

 

[vr1967]

The 454s of that era had flat top pistons and large (usually 119cc) open chamber heads. Compression really is just short of 8:1. We usually put closed chambered heads on these short blocks to bring the compression up.