I have a pair of 455 "C" Heads with a 1973 date code. Back in the mid 70's these heads had a valve job, guides done and were machined for perfect circle valve seals. They were installed on an engine that was run once, then they were removed and have been in storage since. Can anyone tell me how much these heads might be worth?

 

They must be a rare set because they quit making them in 1969. LOL. As far as I know they made them 67-69? I suppose $200 to $300 if they still look pretty good. Some "C" heads have bigger valves.
Welcome to Classic Olds.

 

I have a set of C heads from a 1969 400.
they're on my 1972 455.

 

I hate to be stupid, but it sure looked like a date code. LOL. Oldsmobiles are not my area of expertise. You are correct, they were only made from 67-69. I guess they put that big C on them for people like me. It is hard to miss.

 

I'm glad you have a good sense of humor. I was hoping you wouldn't think I was a smart a$$.
You can post them here for sale or try Craigslist. If you were close to Minnesota I'd be interested.

 

I have someone interested in the heads, but I will let you know if he does not buy them. I live around Kansas City, but I am up in the Rochester, MN area several times a year. So, isn't there a date code on Olds heads? I have a 65 Ninety Eight Convertible that my father bought in 66, but I am mainly into Pontiacs. All of my Pontiacs are equipped with the Olds 65-67 TH400 Switch Pitch. I really like that transmission.

 

I visit my Uncle in rochester every month or so. I'm not too good on the codes but I thing there is a pad towards the front with a stamped letter that can help determine what they are.
If the deal falls through, let me know.
Dave

 

I'm also glad you're so good natured about it. The casting date codes for blocks and heads are generally Julian date codes and will only tell you the day of the year, not what year.

 

Speaking of C heads, they can be '67-'79. Only '67 heads will have the engine unit number stamped on that pad (its on the end of the casting) and only on one head, the other would be blank. '68 and '69 head pads will all be blank as the engine unit number was moved to the oil fill tube.

 

Kurt,
Slightly off-topic, but have you ever seen F heads with numbers stamped on the end? One of mine has this. I suspect it was done by a machine shop during a previous-owner rebuild, but then why only stamp one head and not both? Any chance this was done by the factory?

 

No factory numbers there that I know of. I think your right about it being a machine shop's stampings. Seen it before on numerous occasions. I've seen '65-'67 heads with such stampings on the same pad as the original stampings, and only on one head.
I don't think there was the need to do both. Same thinking as why the engine unit number was only on one. They'd both be done and put on the same engine at the same time. I don't think the idea was to give them any long term significance.

 

On casting dates- would the factory have supplied service replacement heads cast in a later year?

 

Are you still interested in the 455 heads? I will be in MN in soon.