These are the new Power Pack heads I have in my ‘stuff’. They have 1.72 intake and 1.50 exhaust ports. This is quite a bit smaller than the later heads with 1.94 and 1.50 sizes. However, the smaller power pack head runners increase the velocity of the fuel at low speeds giving improved low end response and fuel mileage. The problem is putting them on a 350 limits the effective revs to about 3500. Not a big problem for me. Still I don’t like to limit the engine, especially when using passing gear.
A problem with the older heads is they don’t have bolt holes in the front to mount the alternator bracket or the AC bracket – as above. There are alternator brackets available which fasten to the water pump and the AC has 4 mounting spots and might well be fine with three or maybe the head could be bored to handle that mounting bolt as it is quite high and should miss the water jacket.
I’m in no rush to make a decision. A lot will depend on the condition of the ’88 truck motor that I’m hoping to get later this year.
In the meantime I continue to get parts ready. The PS pump is getting a nice coat of shiny black paint.
I’ve buffed the aluminum wheels and now I need to address the corrosion in the slots. First step was to sand them down with fine paper.
Matching the original colour in the slots was a challenge. What I found that works was using a rag and a bit of aluminum paint I could put a real fine coat on the aluminum and that matched the original pretty well.
The slot in the middle has the rag applied aluminum paint and the slot to the left is the original.
All shined up and ready to go the the tire shop. I’ll transfer my Firestone tires from the GM rally wheels and then put those up for sale.