hillbilly deluxe
Professional Pile-It
Is buying used heads a good idea? I'm thinking iron vortec heads. I'm pretty sure I don't want any used aluminum parts but will the iron be okay?
CK5
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used vortec heads
- Thread starter hillbilly deluxe
- Start date
deadlew
1/2 ton status
I would get them checked for cracks before you buy.
PaulC
PaulC
Used vortecs are a gamble at best as they are very crack prone so make sure to get them checked before handing over any cash. Don't spend very much on them especially if they have very many miles on them, better yet just buy new and be done with it.
Vortecs are a good idea if you're planning on staying under about 400 horsepower and under .480 lift cam. Any more cam or over 5,000 rpm and you'll have to buy new valve springs and have the spring seats cut and the valve guides cut for retainer clearance.
Vortecs are a good idea if you're planning on staying under about 400 horsepower and under .480 lift cam. Any more cam or over 5,000 rpm and you'll have to buy new valve springs and have the spring seats cut and the valve guides cut for retainer clearance.
The vortecs (like many iron heads) are notorious for cracking after many years of use. Get them checked for cracks and make sure the surfaces are true and they'll work fine.
hillbilly deluxe
Professional Pile-It
Okay, thanks for the lightning quick responses. I was looking at them on ebay so I guess I will have to examine them really well. The vortecs are what I want to pair with a 1000-4000 4x4 cam.
With the Vortecs, if you can get by with stock, just buy them new. EQ cylinder heads makes "new replacements" that are likely better than OEM FWIW.
I originally dismissed the "cracking" aspect of Vortec heads, but I've seen it first hand, so I'd be VERY wary of a used Vortec head, enough that even if they weren't visibly cracked, I'd have them magnafluxed, and that's just more expense.
I originally dismissed the "cracking" aspect of Vortec heads, but I've seen it first hand, so I'd be VERY wary of a used Vortec head, enough that even if they weren't visibly cracked, I'd have them magnafluxed, and that's just more expense.
