Null


Maker

  • Karma: +3/-0
BBC heads
« on: October 23, 2014, 10:49:52 AM »
I have 2 sets of 3931063 heads  both need to be gone through  I know they are closed chamber  and commonly used on the 396 and 427   my question is are they worth rebuilding  for a jet boat  or should I try selling them to somebody  that's looking to restore a Chevelle Camaro or Vette

Sent from my SCH-I545 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

86caribbean

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2014, 11:48:07 AM »
Yes according to those casting numbers they are from 1968-69 396 & 427 390-400hp. They should have oval ports and closed chambers with the small 2.06 and 1.72 valves. Not bad heads, but in my opinion they may be worth something to a person restoring something and needing period correct heads. For your boat application, it all depends how much power you would like to make. Heads are a very important choice, for something in the range of 450-550hp around 6,000rpm open chamber massaged oval port heads. ie 049 or 781 castings with the upgraded valve sizes 2.19 & 1.88 will work fine. For anything above that power and rpm I would go with rectangular port open chamber with 2.19-2.30 intake valves & 350cc or larger intake port volume. Also never forget any head choice has to work along with your compression ratio, cam selection, rpm range, induction and exhaust system also your jet pump set up. Take your time and put together a good reliable combo...best of luck. :thumbup:
  • Boat #1: 1986 18' Caribbean
  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

Maker

  • Karma: +3/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2014, 12:11:08 PM »
One set has had  some port clean up and gasket matched with the small valves. The others are untouched other than larger valves      I have an Olds in the boat now  but also have a BBC  427 block and 427 steel crank   I was looking to build something along the lines of an L 88

Sent from my SCH-I545 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

86caribbean

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2014, 12:17:39 PM »
The L88 427 was actually a pretty radical engine for being production. It came with rectangle port aluminum heads, forged 12.5:1 compression pistons, solid lifter cam, forged steel crank, 7/16 push rods and the (big boy) dimple 7/16 rods with the boron steel bolts. The L88 and ZL1 were the same engine accept for the aluminum block.
  • Boat #1: 1986 18' Caribbean
  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

86caribbean

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2014, 12:27:44 PM »
For a fair budget I would build a 454 or slightly larger for the torque in a jet boat. Remember, no replacement for displacement, engine size is power. Mine is a .060 over 454 with a Scat 4340 crank I have the GM L88/ZL1 rods in mine, but those are hard to find and pay through the nose. A set of Eagle rods or GM 3/8 ARP bolt rods will work fine. I used JE pistons with a 23cc dome with open chambers oval port heads with the 2.19 & 1.88 valves my comp is right at 10.0:1. I use use a Comp jet boat bracket racing hyd. flat tappet cam and all Comp valvetrain, tunnel ram intake with two Holley 600cfm carbs. I dyno tuned it and it put out 542hp @ 6,000 and 521lbs tq. I have had it out 13 times this year and it runs like a Rolex, and I have seen 77 mph on the gps.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2014, 12:34:53 PM by 86caribbean »
  • Boat #1: 1986 18' Caribbean
  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

Maker

  • Karma: +3/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2014, 12:35:14 PM »
Didn't they make about 560 hp  in stock form with headers and a good tune

Sent from my SCH-I545 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

86caribbean

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2014, 12:45:00 PM »
The actual L88?, they did actually put out about 540-550hp, but do you really want that high of compression?. Race/AV gas does ad up fast, when you go out to play. I really wouldn't go any higher than 10.5:1, so you can run 91 and maybe just spike it a little with the good stuff. I too had to draw the line when building mine, sure I love the sound of high compression and big radical cam profiles and so on, but I also want it to be reliable and have fun. I know what it's like to go fast, I'm been involved in drag racing for over 30 years, I run an alcohol dragster @ 180mph, that's got a 565 @ 957hp, but that engine is designed for that purpose only. For me and the wife at the river we want to look and sound good and have no issues out on the water, that= fun... :beer: :thumbup:
« Last Edit: October 23, 2014, 01:28:59 PM by 86caribbean »
  • Boat #1: 1986 18' Caribbean
  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

Maker

  • Karma: +3/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2014, 12:54:05 PM »
Good point  so with some newer aluminum heads and a nice hyd roller  and about 10.5:1  I should still be in the low 500 hp range    I want it to run  but still be friendly enough to cruise down river and come back   maybe a little Nos  to make her scream

Sent from my SCH-I545 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

Maker

  • Karma: +3/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2014, 01:02:03 PM »
Thanks for the input  I'll probably just go through the olds  and run it one more season  and take my time building the 427     worst case  I'll have a spare engine in my garage

Sent from my SCH-I545 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

86caribbean

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2014, 01:14:32 PM »
Sounds good, since this is the begining of the off season, why spend money going through the Olds engine when you seem to really want a nice 427 or any BBC? Why spend money on two engines? If it was me, I would yank the Olds and clean things up and get ready to build the engine you really want. Another thing on those heads, for me, I have never been a fan of the early closed chamber heads, they were looked upon as dirty burning heads due to the large quench area. Plus the small chamber shrouded the intake valve and hindered flow. The first open chamber heads were aluminum and introduced on the revised L88 in 1969 and also used on the 1969 ZL1. That design later found it's way into the iron castings in 1971. There is a reason that all aftermarket BBC heads are open chamber design, they work rather well. So like you said, perhaps buying an aftermarket set of heads may work out nice. I'm sure you will put something nice together weather it's a 427 or larger, do it once and do it right and maybe I will see you on the river... 8).. :thumbup:.. :beer:
  • Boat #1: 1986 18' Caribbean
  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

86caribbean

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2014, 01:17:43 PM »
Best wishes on your future engine project...
« Last Edit: October 23, 2014, 01:23:06 PM by 86caribbean »
  • Boat #1: 1986 18' Caribbean
  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

Maker

  • Karma: +3/-0
Re: BBC heads
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2014, 01:27:09 PM »
The olds runs pretty good    I'm thinking it may need bearings    the last time out it ran the best it ever has  but I   ended up with water in the oil    if everything measures  correctly I'll  change the bearings  and maybe through a cam that I have  that came out of my 442

Sent from my SCH-I545 using SoCal Jet Boats mobile app

  • Like
    Dislike
    Love
    HaHa
    Angry
    Surprise
    Sad
    Party

 


Null

SMFPacks CMS 1.0.3 © 2026