I am about to start gathering parts for a BBC project I have in mind. I have a 396 short block that I am starting with. If I can I am planning on reusing the pistons. They are the 10.25:1 small dome type, that is my understanding anyway. I am planning on using a Comp Cam 284 X-treme hyd cam. It will be in a 79 Z28 with a 4-speed & a 390 posi. I would like some suggestions for cylinder heads. I have built a few small blocks, but this will be my first big block build, any suggestions will be appreciated.

Look at the chamber sizes on whatever heads you are considering. Many are in the 120cc range (open chamber). That requires some MASSIVE domes, even on a bigger 454 (like I'm building now). On a little 396 it would be rediculous.

I think Edlebrock has a version of their Performer (aluminum) head that only has 100cc chambers with a semi-open chamber design- that might work for you on a small cube big block.

The aftermarket guys mostly (all?) like to produce designs based on the open chamber heads becuase it's a lot easier to get the flow out of them than it is with a closed chamber head (due to valve shrouding issues).

Sounds like you want to keep the budget in mind. Build some 781s they are good, cheap, and everywhere. 118cc chambers with oval port. Tootsieroll the runners and you will have great flow. I turned mega Rs (too many) with my 396+060. You can add big valves too and improve perf. OR jus spend the green and buy some Edels like the post said. I was looking into those 100cc heads at one time but lost interest.

My thoughts are to find a set of the old bathtub closed chamber oval port heads, pocket port and install, rest of the combo looks like fun.

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I am typically a big fan of 049 but to make compression on a 396 can be tough I would look for some bath tubs like suggested above. I had a buddy running 12.20s with a 396 and 98cc heads.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Damon:
I think Edlebrock has a version of their Performer (aluminum) head that only has 100cc chambers with a semi-open chamber design- that might work for you on a small cube big block.
</font>

These are the heads I bought.

You really need to know what pistons you have, just saying 10.25:1 means nothing without knowing what chamber size your heads are. Like mentioned above most of the common aftermarkets BBC heads are of the open chamber design with 118-120 cc chambers. The Edy RPM-O is 110 and the ones I bought are their RPM-O high compression head that are really meant for later model TBI motors. There might be a part number on the tops of the pistons.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by theflash:
These are the heads I bought.

You really need to know what pistons you have, just saying 10.25:1 means nothing without knowing what chamber size your heads are. Like mentioned above most of the common aftermarkets BBC heads are of the open chamber design with 118-120 cc chambers. The Edy RPM-O is 110 and the ones I bought are their RPM-O high compression head that are really meant for later model TBI motors. There might be a part number on the tops of the pistons.</font>

Hey Flash, did you buy the 100cc or 110cc heads. New I take it?

I bought the 100 cc heads, can't wait to see how they work. I hope they perform well.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by theflash:
I bought the 100 cc heads, can't wait to see how they work. I hope they perform well.</font>

Ill be waiting to confirm your satisfaction with them.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by 72RS408BB:
your satisfaction with them.</font>

Let's hope I am. I should be getting the oil pump pick up tack welded on today, as soon as I can get that done, I can button up the rest of the bottom end. I'm hoping to get it to a friends dyno in a couple weeks, but that's a whole other story. My goal is to get it in the car and running by Oct 2 (car show).

[This message has been edited by theflash (edited August 29, 2005).]

Does anyone have a casting number for the "bathtub" head?

Casting numbers ending in 702 and 390 off the top of my head are oval with the "bathtub" chamber.

The "semi-closed" also work well and are only 3-5 cc difference usually.
290, 215, 063 are those castings.

206 falls in one of the two catgories but I can't remember if they are closed or semi...

Any of the above castings work extremely well on a mild flattop BBC.

I've used the 390's on a 505 stroker with larger valves and flattops.

-206's are true closed and right at 96.7 to 98 cc per the lit.

They are early, SMALL ones..

I bought a bare pair a while back at SC in Indy to play with onna these days is all.

pdq67

i have a worked set of 063 heads. They are large oval closed chambers that measure 114cc from the factory. They where ported when i bought them and i had them decked .01" and i instaled larger 2.19 intakes and 1.88 exhaust valves and i had the chambers cut back to unshroud the valves. now the chambers measure out at 104cc. on my .060 402 and 13cc domed pistons i get a theroretical 9.6:1 c.r.
bbcc