NEED 289 HEAD EXPERT

[bvillestang]

i have a set of 289 (C8OE) heads that i'm gonna port and polish and get machined for bigger valves. in the exhaust ports, there is a large cast in bump on the top towards the back. can i take this out or will it open up into something ?? are there any other areas i should pay attention to ? thanks for your help

 

[brianj5600]

There is nothing under it. It is just a solid hunk of iron.

 

[Max Power]

It is the thermactor port. Get rid of it.

 

[bvillestang]

thanks

 

[Ronstang]

You can find a nice set of used aftermarket iron or possibley even aluminum heads (I got a set of aluminum heads recently for $250) for the same or not much more money than replacing seats/valves and other machining operations are going to cost you on a set of stock heads. Unported aftermarket heads will more than likely outflow/outperform the ported stock heads and save you a bunch of time and headaches.

 

[SadbutTrue]

yeah, i'd look for a set of used GT40s if you want to keep it budget... those go for under 300 complete on ebay often and should outperform ported 289 heads, while also saving considerable weight.

 

[Bad Snake II]

the only thing i have to say is that the gt40 heads can only be ran with manifolds i have heard. I am in the process of rebuilding my origional heads and have found if you want to keep the same parts on your engine it came with and still get good performance it will hurt your wallet.
Good luck

have a happy and safe 4th

 

[Ronstang]

Who told you that you can only run GT-40 heads with manifolds? They lied.

 

[brianj5600]

P heads require special exhaust.

 

[D.Hearne]

yeah, i'd look for a set of used GT40s if you want to keep it budget... those go for under 300 complete on ebay often and should outperform ported 289 heads, while also saving considerable weight.

The only GT 40 heads that'll save weight are the aluminum ones, and they don't sell for $300 a piece. Unless you run across a REALLY desperate seller.

 

[mustang70]

They're not complete, but may be worth looking at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33617&item=7908269484&rd=1

 

[bvillestang]

more questions

i just ground out one of the bumps and it opened up a small hole about 5/8" deep. i blew air into the hole and it doesn't appear to go anywhere. is this a problem or do i just leave it alone ?
thanks

 

[D.Hearne]

You broke into the thermactor passage. Shouldn't be a problem, unless it's open at either end of the head. Also suggest using a water hose and spray into it to see if water comes out any of the coolant passages when you do. If that's the case, you've ruined a set of heads. or at least one head.