Vortec heads question
06-07-2004, 04:12 PM
#1
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Car: 85 Iroc-Z
Engine: 305, soon to be 350
Transmission: T5
Vortec heads question
Hi, im currently building a 350 for my camaro. I have an 87 350 engine and i already have the new replacement gaskets. My question is can i use the same head gaskets if i want to put on some recent Vortec heads?
Thanks
Thanks
06-07-2004, 04:53 PM
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
I think the answer is "no", but I'm not sure so I'm moving it over to the Tech board for responses.
06-07-2004, 10:20 PM
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Car: Z28
Engine: Sb2.2 406
Transmission: Jerico 4 speed
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.60
I think you can. I dont think the head gaskets are specific to the Vortec heads like the intake gaskets are.
06-07-2004, 10:30 PM
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Car: 91 Z28 L98
Engine: 350 5.7l TPI
Transmission: 700RT
I just build a 355 with vortec heads, and I used a FelPro gasket set - I had to get vortec intake gaskets but the headgasket fit fine, adn I've had no problems with it.
06-07-2004, 11:23 PM
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
I was thinking the difference in chamber shape might call for a different head gasket, but, what do I know...
06-07-2004, 11:51 PM
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Car: Z28
Engine: Sb2.2 406
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Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.60
Originally posted by five7kid
I was thinking the difference in chamber shape might call for a different head gasket, but, what do I know...
I was thinking the difference in chamber shape might call for a different head gasket, but, what do I know...
It might though. Like i said, i am unsure. I have heard of a Gen II SBC HG being used. But i also know of many who have gotten away with running the standard Gen I sbc HG. I guess i would like to see the difference between a Vortec head gasket and a SBC head gasket, if any difference actually exists.
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06-08-2004, 12:12 AM
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Car: 82 Z28
Engine: Al LT1 headed LG4 305
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi with spacer
The chamber does not extend past the cylinder bore, so regular heads gaskets work. Infact any SBC head gasket for a 4.0" bore will work, except of course LT1 and LS1 derivatives.
06-08-2004, 12:12 PM
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Car: 1991 Camaro Z28 5.7 G92
Engine: L98 Tuned Port Injection
Transmission: TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi G80
They WILL work fine. I have my vortecs bolted on with the stock rebuild gasket set for a 1990 L98. The bottom of the head surface is identical to older heads (L98 and 87-up heads). I have the GM intake gaskets(which I highly recommend ) which can be used for the life of the engine and they have special silicone rings around each port for a good seal and they lock in place with factory tabs that go into those little holes by the intake bolt holes.
06-08-2004, 12:20 PM
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Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
if they would have worked for the other heads (meaning they're the right bore size) they could work for this one.
you just need to know the thickness... vortec heads have a smaller chamber, so they'll raise the compression... as long as its still reasonable with thoes gaskets, it'll work.
you just need to know the thickness... vortec heads have a smaller chamber, so they'll raise the compression... as long as its still reasonable with thoes gaskets, it'll work.
06-08-2004, 12:33 PM
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Car: 82 Z28
Engine: Al LT1 headed LG4 305
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi with spacer
62cc's vs 64cc's, hardly anything to worry about! The vortecs have an excellent fastburn chamber. So it is possible to run 10.0:1 compression with the proper quench on 87 octane without detonation. You just have to remember that vortec require less timing advance for make optimum power 28-30*.
06-10-2004, 09:24 PM
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Car: 85 Iroc-Z
Engine: 305, soon to be 350
Transmission: T5
thanks guys, i appreciate all your responses..Now i cant wait to get this engine in the car. Hopefully next week it will be running 
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