Ron_90

First things first: I am going to build up my 305, do not tell me to do otherwise


I'm currently working on a build plan for a set of heads and so far the head choice has come down to 081's and 187's. Vortec is out of the question unless I can pick up a pair of 305 Vortecs for $100 or less, because I can port other heads to flow even better.

My question is: Can I grind the swirl out of swirl port heads(187)? I would only grind out part of the swirl if it is possible, though. I've heard that there may be a cooling jacket where the swirls are, but have not found any clear answer despite many searches, and have found a guy on another site that claims to have ground his swirls out.. so fill me in once and for all

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

It is said to have been done.

However, with 305 head castings such as 416 being as cheeeeep and plentiful as they are, this is in the class of things where just because it "can" be done, doesn't make it "a good idea". You'll probably spend more on abrasives than a set of cores would cost, not to mention your own time (MANY hours) and electricity and so on.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I'm not sure you can or can't? Maybe grab a junk head from a machine shop and grind away?
I think there was 305 vortec heads? Anyone?? For the time and money spent you maybe ahead buying those or 305 TPI heads instead of grinding all that cast out of the head. It'll be a lot to grind!

Ron_90

I thought about the 081's but I hadn't considered the 416's- it looks like the exhaust flows a bit better on those than the 081's. In unported form the 187's flow 135cfm @ .5 whereas the 416's flow 118cfm and the 081's flow 110cfm. In terms of exhaust flow it's on the level with the Vortecs so I figure that if I could re-work the intake I might have a set of heads with flow characteristics comparable to Vortecs, but with more low end.
I just don't want to spend money on a set of heads only to destroy the water jackets.l

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

You are NOT going to be able to replicate vortecs at home with a set of swirlports, no matter how much of those swirl ramps you remove. You can go grab a running, pulled 305 from someone that they can't sell for the price of a cheap lunch, and pull the 416's off of it. 305's are free and worthless to pretty much everyone (and for a reason...) so why would the heads on one be more expensive than the whole core? Go find a 305 from someone who did a 350 swap.

As for why you're not going to be able to copy Vortecs with some 305 heads:

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...evy/index.html

Ron_90

I am sorry if it sounded like I was trying to make replica Vortecs, I wrote that quickly as I had to get to my next class soon. I know that I can't make replica Vortecs and have read that article before. Right now I'm doing some bench racing looking for ways to make the 187's flow better at high RPM's.

At the moment grinding down the swirls is looking like a pretty good option. 168CC unaltered ports + 130cfm unported (with my cam) would end up producing a good flowing set of heads after a good re-working.

But.... I just read the whole "305 Port and Polish" thread... non-swirlies are looking pretty nice right now. As much as I'd love to be a rebel and try a set of swirl ports, I think you're right