What BB heads in the oval port design are the most sought after castings?

May buy a 454 , virgin '77 block never bored or touched. Just curious as to what heads are best.
Will check before I get it, but have not seen the 454 yet.

Thanks!

Get the new issue of Chevy High Performance - they cover the build up and dyno of a 454 with Oval & Rectangular Heads.
Guess which one is best? The secret is out of the bag now!

#215 castings are the best for street strip high performance.
They are closed chamber sytle heads and require a small dome for good street compression (10-10.7)

BTW...

Tracy,

The -781's and -049's are the good large oval open chambered heads but the usual thoughts are that the -215's which are "semi-closed" closed and the -206's which are true closed are better for street engine b/c they allow a better combustion chamber/CR. thing.

This is b/c you can use a either a true flat-top or low domed piston to keep the CR. up which helps the flame front eff. thing.

I personally think that E-brock's new aluminum 100cc combustion chamber, 290cc intake port, "roval" head when planed down to 90 cc's and used with a true flat-top piston is probably about as good as it is going to get for a street engine!!!

AND, it is true that the open chambered heads breathe better then the closed chambered heads but CR.-wise, you are better off with the closed heads b/c of the piston/CR. thing I mentioned!!

As always, jmho... pdq67

PS., and you do get very good value, although they are heavy, in the W/P's Merlin cast-iron oval heads!!!!

They are "beefy" and new, have big spring pockets, cut for big valves and have 269cc balanced ports right out of the box...

Thanks...I will see if I can find out what heads are on there today if possible.

What would a virgin '77 454 block be worth? Dependnant on the heads?

unless the heads have been changed, it has small port heads which started in 73 if i recall right, i might be off but i wouldn't give any more than 1,000 but 750 sounds about right, i bought my 4 bolt complete engine for 550 ,then rebuilt, got new heads, etc etc, goodluck
jake

he is asking $700 complete...so I will see...thanks!
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If 'complete' means complete with everything it came with from the factory and all the brakets etc... $700.oo is a pretty fair price.
Just bare or "core" type 454's will sell for $500 ~ 700.oo out here.
I have several favorite places to find BB's - they include small truck repair firms and the local 'Jo-Bob's RV and Screen Door company. A kidding aside - I have gotten some great deals on blocks and parts by stopping by any little Po-dunk Motor Home/ RV repair place I come across, they always seem to have a couple (or know who does) take out 454's and the occasional 502 that they are willing to part with for extra beer money.
These usually have the crudy 'Peanut Port' type heads, like the #236's you are likely to find on the motor you are looking at, but I'm a Merlin Man and you will probably want to replace the heads on your engine unless you just need the torque and no HP.
I agree with pdg67's replies about the replacement Oval port heads - I haven't gotten to try the Edelbrock 'Rovals' yet, but I've heard good things and hope to try a pair this summer.

Post back with the head numbers, block numbers and etc.. from the motor you're looking at and someone can tell you what you found.

Good luck in goin' large!

they are 781's....and under the valvecovers look very clean. truck belonged to an old farmer...so I hope it was even a low mileage 454..SCORE! :D