I may have a lead on what is being touted as an original track pack set of T stamped 442 heads. My question is, how or can they be verified to be actual factory T stamp tricarb heads versus a set of factory heads someone stamped along the way? Is there any difference in valve shape, material, springs etc or are they just a set of B heads designated for tricarb with the T stamping?
thanks

 

Valve size and date range, probably. I don't think there's any performance advantage over the B heads you already have on your 442 that will work just fine with the tri carb setup you have bought / are buying.

 

I doubt there is a performance advantage, just looking to see if there is any actual difference outside a stamped T..curiousity I guess..

 

No visible difference other than the 'T' at the end of the serial number.

 

Thanks..mystery solved

 

If you care to dig to the bottom of your question, here is my suggestion: Get the stamped head as clean as possible without using any abrasive or sacrificial method to clean the surface. Something like brake parts cleaner and a stiff toothbrush with plenty of scrubbing. Get all the paint and grease out of the stamping. Outside in strong light, examine the serial number stamping under strong magnification, like a 7X loupe or large magnifying glass. Pay careful attention to the ends and bottom of the stamping grooves. You might find the 'T' stamping might or might not have the same physical presentation the number stamping present. Said another way, it may become obvious the 'T' was added by the use of a chisel(s) ground to the correct width of perhaps a known original stamped 'T'. I have seen this chisel stamping on these heads where this result was obvious to the naked eye. A large letter stamp the size of the 'T' as stamped at GM is not common out in the world. Also, original and added stamping will show differing degrees of rust present in the stamp grooves, meaning newer might show less or none.

It's something to contemplate there is still heads on 3X2 engines around not modified in this manner.

 

Excellent idea.. thank you..

 

Original tri-carb heads should probably be left for original tri-carb and W-30 cars.

 

True..but tricarb motors have no designation as to they were or were not tricarb blocks.. now w30 a different story.

 

I'll be more direct. Please don't buy these so you can clone your recently purchased quadrajet 442 into a tri-carb 442.

 

T heads are news to me. Someone please educate me, what models/engines/years had them? Factory installed?

Thanks!
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They're not T heads, they're B. Pre-68 engines got a number stamped on the right side head that was the engine production number. V###### was a 442 in 66. V######T was a tri carb head for a 442.

 

Koda, appreciate your concern on what I do with MY car.. if I was trying to fool someone I would simply stamp the heads on my car..So lets just say we use your thought process on those heads , (if they are even the real deal) ,If they should only go to an allegedly original L69 car.. a few things, an original L69 car would already have those heads on it, if the motor had been blown and replaced, lets just say, then according to everything I have learned on this forum there is virtually no way to verify that it was a true L69 car unless you have the POP and or factory invoice. How many people with that type documentation are looking for a set of T stamped heads? 1 in a 2100 maybe? 2100 built, how many are missing the heads and have documentation to prove it? My interest , if its of your concern is to own a set, if I wanted to go thru all the work to pull my heads and put true T stamped heads, which I am told are 100% the same as stock B Heads on my car, ( I am told valve size is exactly the same, maybe a bit different on a w30 head, but not on L69 head..i am told) why wouldn’t I just stamp the ones on there? I have never sold any car under false pretenses, probably unknowingly bought one or two tho. Anyone with serious convictions on owning a true L69 442 would surely want proper documentation before paying up for it, one would hope. Not just a T on a head..I have purchased an original carb, manifold tricarb restored from a very reputable Builder of pontiac and olds tripowers/ tricarbs.. I suppose its sacrilege for me to think about installing that? Well, sorry, its going on it. I have owned many tripower pontiacs, love triple carb look, fortunately pontiac has PHS to verify the car is what it is advertised as.. as long as someone didnt do a vin swap.. sure thats been done on many high end cars, sad but true..dealers sold complete tricarb units, track pack units, put on a stock 442 back then.. guess they were wrong too. Hope this clears up your direct approach.