Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - BBC head choices help

got a set of '69 396 heads with a casting #3933148 and found this on mortec.com

3933148....69-84...oval...OPEN...'69 396/265hp, 366T, 427T, 112cc chamber

would these be better to use over my stock '89 tbi 454 heads. these are going to be used in my 91 chevy truck swap. i also have a set of 98 vortec heads. would these be better to use? my block is a Mark IV cause its an 89 right? and the vortec a ones are on a mark V block.

basically i am wanting to know which heads would be the best to use. thanks in advance for any input. going to use the edle 2162 cam kit. ( i think thats the part # on it)

I'd venture to say that the oval port heads will be a better choice than your other options you've listed (in terms of performance).

there all oval ports....well the stock heads are "peanuts" from what i have read.

Vortec heads would be better to use, only issue there is that you have to use a Vortec manifold. Edelbrock sells those since you are already getting your cam from them.

on the BBC they bolt up the same.

I had a set of BBC vortec heads (2000 casting year), they bolt right up to everything with the special head gaskets made for this type of swap.
But look at how tiny the exhaust ports are, they're smaller than the peanut port heads.
Not familiar with the first casting number but anything with large oval ports is better than peanuts.

yea thats what i was thinking. many guys over on the 454SS forum say i should use the vortec's

I'd use the 69 396 heads, port them.... they are a good hi flo set of heads from the casting #'s bolt a good intake on it and you will be set!

ALL 3 you listed are truck heads- & not really performance oriented - the big block "vortec" heads are not an improvement over earlier heads like the small block ones are -- i would probably have to use the the 69 model heads - they are the best "performance" heads of the 3 you have - dont expect much with any of the 3

well the ones on the motor are the peanut. i am not really going for a high performance application, but a great 454 truck motor. its going into my truck that will be converted to 4wd as stated above. i am not going for huge horsepower motor. i am just trying to use the best set that i have. i want as much torque as possible with the combo.

The BBC vortec chambers are heart shaped, way different than the old design. Yet if you look in the intake port it kinda looks like a SBC swirl port like a 193 or something.
I actually gave my BBC vortec heads to a guy on 454ss.com, he claims to have good luck with them. Scoggin dickey or one of those lists them as "one of GM's best kept secrets" although I have no idea why they say this. The combustion chambers do look like the pontiac BBC super duty head.

Would the AFR rectangular BBC heads be ok for the street?

The BBC vortec chambers are heart shaped, way different than the old design. Yet if you look in the intake port it kinda looks like a SBC swirl port like a 193 or something.
I actually gave my BBC vortec heads to a guy on 454ss.com, he claims to have good luck with them. Scoggin dickey or one of those lists them as "one of GM's best kept secrets" although I have no idea why they say this. The combustion chambers do look like the pontiac BBC super duty head.


Its all about the volumes of air movement -- the new style heads are smarter that the old in terms of air movement -- the vortec BBC is a super low to mid range head -- unless you are drag racing full time use it -- jz

Would the AFR rectangular BBC heads be ok for the street?


The 305cc as cast head makes lots of street power the ported 305 know as the 315cc head flows good enough to run a 300 lb car into the low 9s witha 468 BBC -- race car now not a street car picture 468 divisional super gas car nhra 935 145 in cool weather 50s in the heat off the stop -- jz