L-78 396 cylinder head question

[HS PROFESSOR]

I'm putting together a '69 396 / 375 hp motor and have a question regarding cylinder heads.my car was build 0 1 C and my block is a L 20 8.i currently have no heads,just the shortblock. how important is it to have correctly dated heads. the block is original but has been decked and the numbers are gone.how crazy should i go??? it will never be a numbers matching car again.but i plan on restoring it to L-78 specs.the car has its original BV coded rear,and numbers matching trans,any feed back would be greatly appreciated.are any 840 heads considered ok or should i hunt down a set close to my motors build date.i'm not looking to restore and sell but if the car will be worth more down the road then its worth it to me. thanks.....bob

[nuch_ss396]

Bob,

Is this a true L/78 car? You didn't mention that.

If it is a true L/78, then here's my .02 on the subject.
You should be looking for the '840 heads with a Nov. or
Dec. 1968 date range. Any '840 head set will be somewhat
pricy due to its application as SHP parts only.

It certainly doesn't hurt to have as many dated components
for your car as you can. Personally, I would much prefer to
buy a car ( true L/78 ) with properly dated heads vs. heads
with incorrect dates.

If you can afford the time, just keep scanning eBay for the
dated '840 heads you need. They come up all the time.

If this isn't a true L/78 car, it probably really doesn't
matter what date range you select for your components as
long as they are the correct components. That will make it
somewhat easier to sell the car as a clone ( of some type ).

BTW, what model are we talking about?

Steve

[jfkheat]

I agree with Steve. A nice set of correct dated heads should cost you around $1500 to $1800. There are always a few sets of 840 heads on Ebay. You may have to wait a few weeks for the right date.
James

[HS PROFESSOR]

Hey steve......its a 69 camaro X-66.technically theres no solid proof its a 396/375 but heres what i got.correct never out of car BV 12 bolt 4.10 posi,numbers matching M-21 trans,single 3/8 fuel line,console delete w/factory shifter.no gauges,correct big block p/s pump with correct deep groove pully pn 3941105DD,all the standard SS stuff.including 4 date coded YJ ralley wheels.i bought it from a guy who didnt even know what X-66 meant,and bought it in 1972 w/no motor.he put in a corvette 350 and has been driving it daily until 2003!!!!! its a lemans blue car with one repaint,is a little crusty around the edges but runs and drives really nice.everything i mentioned is all original,and the car will be an easy resto.i have what possibly could be the original motor.its a 4 bolt dec. 68 396 that was decked and already rebuilt.i bought that from a guy who also lives local where this car spent its whole life.anything else i should look for??? anything else that could shed some lite on its engine origins. thanks.......


bob

[ssl78]

Since it is a X code car that means it was built in norwood and the vin would be by the oil filter not on the deck

[69L72RS]

HS PROFESSOR
I have a set of mid Dec. 68 840 heads, 163 intake, and a 8B3 4346 that was restored by none other than our own VINTAGEMUSCLECAR.
The heads just went to the machine shop to be redone.
They have never been cut before.
Maybe you might have some parts that I need for my car.
I'm always in a tradin' mood.
Shoot me an email and I can send you some pics.
Later,
Eric

[nuch_ss396]

There you go Bob !

Make em a deal! What kinda deal? A deal - deal!
Maybe he's a Republican..........

Steve

[HS PROFESSOR]

[ QUOTE ]
HS PROFESSOR
I have a set of mid Dec. 68 840 heads, 163 intake, and a 8B3 4346 that was restored by none other than our own VINTAGEMUSCLECAR.
The heads just went to the machine shop to be redone.
They have never been cut before.
Maybe you might have some parts that I need for my car.
I'm always in a tradin' mood.
Shoot me an email and I can send you some pics.
Later,
Eric

[/ QUOTE ]


WELL COME ON .....LETS DEAL !!!!

hey eric,i dropped you an email but maybe you didnt get it?? throw me some more info and lets make a deal.....before i buy a $3000 smog set-up!!!!! thanks




bob