cilinderhead question

[Belgian1979]

Hi,

For the slam together motor I need to make, I require a set of heads. The original engine used to have the 292 turbo heads but one of these had a crack between 2 valves and it has been lying and gathering dust ever since. The guy I sent them out to at the time said it wasn't worth the risk as the changes were high it would crack further and into the water jacket.

So I need a pair of basic heads in good condition to slam the motor together. I already look into the used market here but there are equal risks to these not really being in a useable condition.

What would be a good option to replace my old 292 heads on a budget? What was the actual port size on the 292 heads?

[JoePorting]

I'd guess the port size of a stock 292 Turbo head is around 180cc's. What's your budget? I'd just get a set of AFR heads on ebay. You should be able to get a nice set for around $1500. The #1040 195cc heads is a good all around cylinder head.

[travis]

Are you looking for any sort performance goals, or just something to make it move under its own power?

Any smog regulations to deal with?

Vortec’s are always a great relatively budget option, but will require a different intake and possibly a few other things.

Summit Racing offers a pair of iron 165cc conventional heads for somewhere around $700/pair complete that I believe are cast by Dart. They have excellent reviews, but I’ve never tried any so I can’t speak from experience

[Belgian1979]

It needs to primarily move under its own power with as low an amount of blue smoke possible

[travis]

I don’t have a clue what it would cost to ship something as heavy as a pair of heads from the US to you, but another option that may even be available to you locally would be to find a volume rebuilder and purchase some refurbished OEM heads outright. I’ve done this many times for very reasonable $$$ for a basic engine build. Mabbco is one that comes to mind, and I believe they will ship international

[F-BIRD'88]

It needs to primarily move under its own power with as low an amount of blue smoke possible

Surley you can find a old running 305 sbc to rob the cylinderheads from.. Any except the very small chamber versions (267 heads) are fine. avoid #601.. Any 58cc and bigger are fine. 4416, 434, 450. Not that hard.

Worn guides can be knurled and reemed, add black valve seals that come in gasket sets.. re lap valves. Don't get carried away with re lapping.

[Belgian1979]

It needs to primarily move under its own power with as low an amount of blue smoke possible

Surley you can find a old running 305 sbc to rob the cylinderheads from.. Any except the very small chamber versions (267 heads) are fine. avoid #601.. Any 58cc and bigger are fine. 4416, 434, 450. Not that hard.

Worn guides can be knurled and reemed, add black valve seals that come in gasket sets.. re lap valves. Don't get carried away with re lapping.

F-Bird, this is not the USA.

[F-BIRD'88]

Your cracked 292 casting head can be repaired but it won't be cheap. Find a shop that specializes in repairing cracked heads,. Diesel shop will know who...

[F-BIRD'88]

It needs to primarily move under its own power with as low an amount of blue smoke possible

Surley you can find a old running 305 sbc to rob the cylinderheads from.. Any except the very small chamber versions (267 heads) are fine. avoid #601.. Any 58cc and bigger are fine. 4416, 434, 450. Not that hard.

Worn guides can be knurled and reemed, add black valve seals that come in gasket sets.. re lap valves. Don't get carried away with re lapping.

F-Bird, this is not the USA.

Don't tell me there are no chevs with 305's there.
Every Mercruiser v8 boat motor has heads on them.

[F-BIRD'88]

Most any 283 or 307 or 327 head will do except tiny chambers..

[mag2555]

Can we all after so many years finally start using the right terminology about the 292 castings!!

It's just a 292 casting, as the so called Turbo head had a far different chamber shape and exteamly few of them where made besides!

Also Knurled valve guides are a oil leaky, fast ware Crutch that I would never even run on a back up motor!

[F-BIRD'88]

After you knurl and ream the guides, thats what those black "umbrella" valve seals that come in engine gasket sets are for..You do not want to eliminate all the oil in the valve guides.. Just control it with those seals.
Some GM engines had "knurled" valve guides right from the factory. Some replacement valve guides are knurled when new. If you put the umbrella seals on stock valve guide check seal to retainer full valve lift clearance.
The seals don't do much good if the retainer crushes them.
Valve lift more than .450" must be checked..

[Belgian1979]

Can we all after so many years finally start using the right terminology about the 292 castings!!

It's just a 292 casting, as the so called Turbo head had a far different chamber shape and exteamly few of them where made besides!

Also Knurled valve guides are a oil leaky, fast ware Crutch that I would never even run on a back up motor!

Casting 340292 with angled plugs.

[PRH]

For a “just get it to move under it’s own power” situation, I don’t know why you’d need anything other than two serviceable heads from any 70’s-80’s 350.

[lefty o]

any 70's smog head. as far as i understand you need a engine to drop in to pass for legal reasons. for those reasons just about anything will work fine.