I may need to have my heads rebuilt sometime in the future. I am getting some oil on my plugs and I suspect either the guides or the seals or both. They are stock 350 heads. How do I identify them? Is there any reason to grind the valves differently than stock? My car is a cruiser, 350, thm350 with 273 gears. I am not looking to race it, but if there are a few free or low cost horsepower gains I might be interested. Should I consider other heads and rebuild them? I am just looking for some possible alternatives without breaking the bank or changing the character of the car.

 

The heads can be identified by the casting number above the #1 spark plug. 1972 should be 7A. These are some of the better SBO heads so no need to go searching for something else.

Olds 350 heads:

1968-69 = 5
1970 = 6
1971 = 7
1972 = 7A
1973-1976 = 8

after that it gets a bit fuzzy for me. I think the 77-up 350s used 3A heads but I'm not positive.

 

X2. If they are 7a heads then just getting them redone is the way to go. Since your intake will be off you could take the opportunity to have your carb cleaned & carb kit installed. If you have a single exhaust system you could maybe go with a dual system off the exhaust manifolds with stock mufflers. This would allow the engine to breathe better and give you a bit of hp gain without changing the sound much. Also you might find a dual snorkal breather that would help some as well.

 

I've got a set of ported big valve #7's...I'm across the state, not sure if this helps much...I've got headers for your car too....

 

Yes, I did see 7A on the heads. I dual exhaust and Quadrajet. I rebuilt the Quadrajet with a kit from Cliff, drilled tapped and sealed all the plugs and it starts perfectly with the stock choke components and is very responsive and smooth at all speeds.


I just didn't want to have these heads done and find out there were significantly better alternatives. Would these get the stock angles on the valves?

 

I'd install the W-31 sizes BBO valves (2.000/1.625) and better springs. If nothing else, this is a solid foundation for later mods.

I'd spend the rest of my money on better gears.