842 aluminum heads

[jg396]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on 842 aluminum heads? I'm thinking about installing a set on a 375hp 396 motor that I'm building to put in my Camaro. Can a person use these heads and still be able to drive the car regularly (about 800 - 1000 miles a year). I'm just worried about building it and having them crack and having to find a set of 840's (which I already have but might sell to get 842's). Then also loosing the value of the 842's. Maybe I'm off, but I have just heads comments about them cracking. I'm looking to build it to around the stock specs (11:1 compression and so on). I don't drive the car hard or anything. Just concerned about the investment is all. Any of your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Rowdy Rat]

I've put over 40,000 miles on my L-89 Corvette which as the "842" heads installed... Never had a problem with them.

Cracking was never an issue anyway... The big problem with the early aluminum heads was the valve guides which never wanted to stay in place. The head would expand at a greater rate than the guide and it would work itself loose eventually. The solution at that time was to have the guides pinned in place.

Regards,

Stan Falenski