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Sounds like a good idea, as long as you get the RIGHT 350 heads; just don't use the #3A or #8 heads. While you're at it, make sure you've got hardened valve seats, unless you want to dump a lead additive into every tankful of gas. The biggest problem with the 403 heads isn't really the ex. valve size - alot of Chevy small block guys are content to use heads with 1.94/1.50 valves; those exhaust valves are actually a wee bit smaller than those on the 403 Olds. The biggest problem with the 403 heads is the combustion chamber size; 83cc - that's bigger than some of the Olds BIG BLOCK heads! Still, by using Olds 350 heads, you're getting rid of that problem, so I think your idea is a good one. Most Olds 350 heads have 64cc combustion chambers. If you find a set of #6 or #7 heads, I wouldn't bother using the 403 intake valves; going from 1.995" to 2.000" hardly seems worth the effort. I'm sure someone who knows alot better than me will chime in... Some say the 403 isn't as strong because of "windowed mains" compared to "solid mains" (I'll admit I'm not really sure what that means), but from what I've seen first-hand, the 403 can take a pounding. The other thing to consider is that the 403 heads use 1/2" bolts; the 350 uses 7/16", so there's a bit of machine work to be done there, albeit nothing major.
- GoldOlds
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