how come 781 and 049 heads are $$ my dad wants to build a 454 but the motor he has, has crap heads, any alternatives ?
CK5
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454 heads question
- Thread starter Cucv_M1008
- Start date
cause there about the best stockers to play with . 
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1010_cheap_big_block_chevy_engine_build/viewall.html
Up to 500hp on peanut ports.
Up to 500hp on peanut ports.
black dawg
1/2 ton status
Yeah, depending on what he wants to build and how it will be used, his "crap heads" might work better.
that's what I was thinking, a cheap cleanup/valve job with some mild porting, and you'd be into those heads the same as buying a new set that still need to be rebuilt.
A lot of people lose sight of what they are actually building an engine for and start chasing dyno numbers. Those lovely rectangle ports that everyone loves flow big air and make big numbers at 5500+ rpm, but their max torque also occurs relatively high in the powerband. Good for a drag car or a mud bogger, not so much for a wheeler with big tires that spends most of its time below 4000 rpm.
As some have said, "crap" peanut port heads have their uses and defenders. They build diesel-like torque down low, and are cheap because everybody thinks they need big rectangle port heads. True, they don't build the most horsepower, but horsepower sells cars, torque moves them. And you need a completely different type of motor when moving a 6000+ lb truck as opposed to a 3500 lb Chevelle.
true, but we never set out to make huge HP and torque, just to improve upon the stock 85 numbers. with a cam, intake oval port heads and diff carb.
Dang wish shipping wouldn't kill it. Seems like I can find 781s every now and again for dang near free
BTW I did a couple different versions of a desktop dyno type setups and talked to a guy who has built several and done 781 swaps on trucks that had peanut port heads on em.
The max torque did not move nearly as much as you think it would. Like less than a thousand rpm.
The good heads made a better average torque over then entire powerband.
While you can build peanut port heads, when combinded with the correct cam the 781s ( I don't know much about the 049s plus my buddy has used almost all 781s just easier to find I guess) produced more torque from about 2200 rpm and up.
I have watched my tach a ton while crawling I am usually above 2k
If you want to look out I will but shipping would probably kill it
BTW I did a couple different versions of a desktop dyno type setups and talked to a guy who has built several and done 781 swaps on trucks that had peanut port heads on em.
The max torque did not move nearly as much as you think it would. Like less than a thousand rpm.
The good heads made a better average torque over then entire powerband.
While you can build peanut port heads, when combinded with the correct cam the 781s ( I don't know much about the 049s plus my buddy has used almost all 781s just easier to find I guess) produced more torque from about 2200 rpm and up.
I have watched my tach a ton while crawling I am usually above 2k
If you want to look out I will but shipping would probably kill it
I dont' think to many on here are looking for rectangular ports, the large ovals are worth the money if you are going to be above 3500rpm....And to really compare the two you need to flowbench them and get the numbers to back up the bench racing "facts"....I do know a few guys that have used the peanut port heads from the 80's-90's and they fall flat about 3500, when you might really need them for pulling a hill while towing.
Or when you are trying to warm up the tires up a steep face, or when you need to spin em to make it over a rock, or pulling a buddy out.
I know the mantra for our trucks is low end low end low end, but in all reality I have found mid range to much more useful. Low end can be taken care of by gearing.
454Sub
5/8 ton status
Yep. Ovals are the way to go, totally skip the peanuts. I actually found a set of 781s or 049s the other day buried in the garage I had totally forgotten about.
The peanut was a good head at the time, for its stock intended purpose, but in reality, the ovals will run them down, run them over, and spit them out in every single situation.
The peanut was a good head at the time, for its stock intended purpose, but in reality, the ovals will run them down, run them over, and spit them out in every single situation.
In my (1985) carbureted (Edelbrock Performer 750 CFM) 454 peanut port engine, I was able to make power up to just a little more than the 4000 RPM range, "IF" it was totally floored, in order to open up all 4-barrels. I think some of the dissatisfaction with peanut port head performance comes from the fact that most peanut port engines where TBI, and the limited CFM flow of a stock TBI injection causes people to think it is the engine causing the problem, when what is really causing it is limited fuel and air flow from the stock TBI.
I have also had early 454 model trucks with the large oval ports, and the difference I have seen between peanuts and large ovals is...if you cruise down a freeway at 80 MPH with the large oval port engine it only took about 1/4 throttle to do it, and my peanut port engine took about 1/2 throttle to do the same thing, but it would do it.
I have also had early 454 model trucks with the large oval ports, and the difference I have seen between peanuts and large ovals is...if you cruise down a freeway at 80 MPH with the large oval port engine it only took about 1/4 throttle to do it, and my peanut port engine took about 1/2 throttle to do the same thing, but it would do it.
Because they are the best flowing production cast iron heads in a large oval design.
You should be able to find a pair in rebuildable condition for $200 then spend the money and have them fitted with 2.19"/1.88" valves and blend the bowls and they become very worthy for supporting good numbers.
Shipping can be done rather cheap for some.
Idaho to Cali can be done reasonably.:thumbup:
