Need some info on heads
 

So I'm might buy a '73 400. the owner doesn't know which heads are on the engine, but knows that they are not the stock heads. I would like any and all information on Pontiac heads that would fit this engine so that when I go see it for myself, I know what's on there. thank you!

Just about any Pontiac head will fit from 1967 to 1979, excluding the 301 head.

Try my head search page if you know the code or input by year for a list for the year.
Head Search

I guess I'm looking more for what's a "good" head and what's a "bad" head as far as performance and future modifications go

The 6X and 5C heads are a pretty good street head. They have the screw in studs and large intake valves. There are two combustion chamber sizes. You should probably try to find the the ones that have a 4 stamped on a small machined pad above the exhaust ports. These have a combustion chamber volume of approximately 92-94 cc's. The ones with an 8 stamped in the same place have a combustion chamber volume of approximately 101 cc's

HTH

Ok thanks! Do you think $500 is asking too much for this engine? It's missing pushrods, so it doesn't run, 2 intake bolts are missing, and like I said, he doesn't know which heads are on there. $500 seems a bit steep to me. Though he says 70k original miles, but I have no way to verify that.

Ask him to give you the two digit code that is cast into the roof of the center exhaust port runners. That will positively ID the heads and give a much better idea of whether his asking price is reasonable.

Here's a pic of a 6X head, almost every Pontiac head has two big letters/numbers in the same place as the 6X on this head.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...cs/head_id.jpg

Treat any non-running engine purchase as if you are buying a core engine that will need a complete rebuild.

Well said.

I think $500 is too much money for the engine you are looking for. I have a local junk yard which sells engines for $125 complete. Only down side is you have to look all the time or someone else might get it.

Another thing you can do is just look out for old Pontiac cars while driving or search through classified adds. Many people have older cars they just want out of their yard. You can tow it for free or pay $100-200 bucks for the whole car and pull the engine.

but on the other hand, he could be getting a steal if the codes are "right"
wouldnt that be something to get a motor with some raiv heads or superduty heads for 500 bucks :D we can all dream cant we?

I was driving a back way to work last week and spotted a mid-60's Catalina sitting beside a house in the weeds. Wouldn't that be something if it turned out to be a 2+2?!