Which heads to have rebuilt?

[mnypitboat]

OK some of you have seen what has happened to my 350 mercruiser. Now I have another question of the experts. I have 2 sets of heads. The set pulled off my engine, a set of 906 vortec heads sitting on a roller block. I have read that they are lousy and do not breath very well.

The other set is a set of 217s off the 89 350 Magnum that I bought. I did a quick search and it looks like they used them on late 80s Camaro and Trans Am applications. I couldnt find any info as to whether they flow well or not. That engine had a regular flat tappet cam in it.

So I guess my question is, will they interchange? If so which set should I get rebuilt, or should I buy something differant that might flow even better? There are all types of heads on ebay in the $400 range. Local builders want $250 to start, plus parts etc etc.

Any ideas? Any thoughts??

 

[Bondo]

Re: Which heads to have rebuilt?

Ayuh,... If you've got the right intake manifold, the Vortecs are the only way to go...

Btw,... You've heard Wrong about 'em...

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Which heads to have rebuilt?

OK so I would be better with the Vortec heads and a 2 bbl? Or the 217s with the 4bbl?

Oh and can I use aluminum heads? Just a thought, I found a set of nice heads over on the Camaro website local cheap, that just had every done to them.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Which heads to have rebuilt?

Ayuh,... I'm goin' with the 906s,+ a 4bbl. myself....

Without more info on the aluminum heads, that can't be answered...

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Which heads to have rebuilt?

I dont have a 4bbl intake for the 906s. So that is gonna be a 2bbl at least for a while. I am about out of boat cash for a few months. LOL.

I found a set of 062 Vortec heads for $300, complete and ready to bolt on. How do they compare to the 906s?

Oh and thanks for all the info. I am more familiar with later model GM cars than boats, so if it were an LS1 style engine I would have a better idea.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Which heads to have rebuilt?

Ayuh,... The 906,+ the 062 are about the Same....
Only some of the 906s have bigger exhaust seats, which is a Plus in marine applications...
Better exhaust valve coolin' properties...

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Which heads to have rebuilt?

AH gotcha. Sounds like that is a good option then. For $300 I cant even get a valve job with seals on mine.

And the nice thing is that there is no exchange, so I will still have 2 complete engines. Maybe sell the old heads as a core or someone might want them complete.