What motor? Do the heads have hardened valve seats? If not the valves will wear into the head. Ask me how i know.

 

If you're talking big blocks (383 & up) and you want to use factory heads and stay somewhat budget minded, try to find a set of '452 heads, as they came with hardened valve seats. Most aftermarket aluminum heads should have hardened valve seats.

 

The early 70's is when they started hardening the seats. Back in 1985 i was building a big block with 906 heads(non hardened seats). They did away with leaded pump gas in 1986 and i was still running the motor on it. Shorty after this i removed the heads and was shocked to see the valves buried themselves into the head! I replaced them but don't remember the castings # i used but they did have hardened seats. Don't run non hardened seat heads on today's gas or you will damage them.

 

It’s the factory 440 from 68. It’s got 906 heads. I bought the car when I was about to turn 19 in January 2020. What I didn’t know is that it’d been abandoned for almost 40 years and that motor was completely locked up. Someone took the Torqueflite 727 out of it. I had assumed I’d just be able to bolt in another trans and at least get it to run.

Had the whole motor rebuilt back to stock. Heads were indeed redone with hardened valve seats. I’m still working my way to making the car drive - but it’s so close now! Not much aftermarket support for these old C Bodies…









She started life as a New Yorker but given how it was basically just a shell at first - I’m swapping that front end out for the 300 front clip and essentially making a “clone.”

Here’s my vision for the finished product

 

Chrysler went with hardened seats on all engines in 1971. Now, back into the 1930's, Dodge used sodium filled valves on engine in H.D. trucks. These don't eat into the heads. Finding one is really a booger now. These would be the early 241 and 270 Hemi engines used in TRUCKS. The cars didn't get the valves.