I take it they were the poorer of the 455 heads?

I have a 455 out of a 73 442 and it has the Ga heads. That's why I was asking.

I have a book here that lists all the stamps on the 455 heads. It has "F" as the top one followed by "C". And it mentions that "J" and "K" were the lower end heads. I think........?

I haven't read the book in awhile. I may have to go look again.

 

Very small valves and restrictive runners. Can they be worked... sure, if thats all you have. There are some pretty stout cars out there that run J heads. A mid 70s smog 455 probably are not rated much more than 200 hp from the factory.

On the Ka heads. They were also the GM replacement heads for those W-30 cars that needed warranty work.

John

 

I found it. "J", "K" and "G" were known for having a poor "shelf intake port". And it claims that the "A" "B" and "D" heads were a suitable replacement for the "C" and "F" heads. It doesn't say anything about the "E" heads, though?

 

humm... don't mean to crap on Tony's for sale thread but I have to ask where you have gathered that data? F, Ka H and D heads (W-30 and RV)are touted to be the best of the Olds heads for valve and runner size with C, E, Ga, and then the J head. A and B heads require push rod area work to be used on 455's with the different bank angle.

PM me, instead of replying here.. and I'll come back and delete this post. (curious to know what others think too)

John

 

All true except the B heads from the 1966 Toro.....since that is a 39 degree bank angle engine those big valve B heads are a direct bolt on to any later 400 or 455. Flow potential of these B heads meets or betters those of the much vaulted C heads.

 

It came from a book called "Engines" made by HOT ROD magazine. It was released some time in the 80s. Probably 85 - 86-ish.

 

Ah, ok.. um... I'm no expert, but just that little bit you posted from that article wasn't accurate. Perhaps just dated... Unless there are some top names attached to that article (Mondello, Travato, Demmer etc...) I wouldn't trust a word printed on it.

 

You guys have taken Tony's engine-for-sale ad through the weeds and into the oncoming traffic lane, so I've moved these posts into their own thread under BBO engines. Proceed to knock yourselves out debating the relative merits of BBO heads and let Tony sell his engine in peace.