how much $$$ for fresh BBC 336781 heads

[mile2885]

So, After taking my heads to the machine shop, they pretty much laughed and were surprised at what I was running on my boat. They have fresh set of 336781 (large oval) BBC heads that have had the works done that some guy backed out on the deal. They are asking $930 for the set that has had pretty much everything done to them. They want $600 to redo mine which are small oval. Since my block is pretty much a stock 2 bolt 454 with a mild cam, performer intake, holley 750cfm and bassett headers. Does this sound like a good deal?? It would be nice to see some more hp..... :idea:

[NOTALENT]

So, After taking my heads to the machine shop, they pretty much laughed and were surprised at what I was running on my boat. They have fresh set of 336781 (large oval) BBC heads that have had the works done that some guy backed out on the deal. They are asking $930 for the set that has had pretty much everything done to them. They want $600 to redo mine which are small oval. Since my block is pretty much a stock 2 bolt 454 with a mild cam, performer intake, holley 750cfm and bassett headers. Does this sound like a good deal?? It would be nice to see some more hp..... :idea:
as in works you mean??? port and polish? what type of rocker arms and springs?? what do the heads conist of??

[mile2885]

ya sorry about the brief description....they are not ported or polished but have had all new guides installed, new valves, springs, hardened seats ect....basically a lot more than I was planning on having done to mine. He told me that pretty much all my exhaust valves weren't sealing properly on mine.

[BK]

$930 seems a bit high to me for a set of stock heads, but mabye im wrong. I paid $150 for a set of bare 781's from Jack at MPD, then had them machined for oversized valves, had a fair amount of port and polish work done along with some other things and have about that much into them. Ive got a set of 049's in my garage that need to be gone through id let go for cheap but with shipping its probley just not worth it.

[NOTALENT]

I agree..I just sol a pair of 781's complete for 150.00 all they needed was a valve job, valve guides and springs...Im guessing you can get a way better deal then that...seems a bit high.

[mile2885]

OK, I'm not sure what to do. I saw a set on ebay 336781 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7980659623&category=33617) for almost $800. This isn't the same set i'm looking at but the price is similar. Are they really worth that much?? I'm not sure the guy posted the correct casting #s. Really all I'm looking for is a set of heads that I can slap on and run. Since I am planning on selling the boat, I really don't want to spend a ton of money. I'm not planning on the boat selling super fast so I would like to build it right so its reliable and I can use it until it sells.............if it sells. The only reason I'm dealing with heads is because I got water in the #1 cyl from my bassetts. I had to pull the #1 piston and have the shop check it to make sure the connecting rod wasn't bent. I was told from the shop that it would be a good idea to install new connecting rod bearings and I'd be good to go. Now all it comes down to is the top end. So when you guys get a valce job, how much does it usually cost including parts and labor?? Thanks for the help. :idea:

[FILUCKY]

Be patient, look around at some of your local engine builders alot of the time they will have a good used set or know someone that does. For the price your looking at your only a few hundred away from some entry level aluminum heads. I just had a buddy that sold his big port(oval) in great condition for 300 bucks. Good luck

[Liberator TJ1984]

You also need to know what those heads are set up for......spring pressures ,heights .....etc....
Just cause they will fit ,dosen't mean they will work for you and your engine combination...
Like you said you have pretty much stock cam ....you would flatten it quick if spring psi.was too much...and other things could also go wrong...
Like Filucky said, shop around a little and compare :cool:

[Norseman]

ya sorry about the brief description....they are not ported or polished but have had all new guides installed, new valves, springs, hardened seats ect....basically a lot more than I was planning on having done to mine. He told me that pretty much all my exhaust valves weren't sealing properly on mine.
Sounds like a lot of money unless the valves and springs are something special. Make sure the springs are going to be compaitable with the cam you are running, if you decide to buy them. $600 sounds like a lot of money for a stock valve job too.
I just had a set of 331 Chrysler heads done and it cost me $250 with all new guides. Valves were good and did not need to be replaced. I supplied the new springs. They are ported and polished long long ago by Mondello. :D
New guides are nice, but if the guides in your heads are good why pay for something you don't need. :idea:
If the camshaft you have is mild and the short block is a stock low compression one the the big ports are not going to help you any if at all. :idea:
An engine works as a system and all of the components have to be matched. :D

[mile2885]

So would this be a good time to change the cam? Since I have no idea whats in it, I could get a cam then match the valve springs, lifters ect. I found a good set of 049s for $185. It would be nice to see a little HP increase after all this bs. Would that be a bad move? Sorry for all the questions. Like I said before, its a 2-bolt 454, stock bottom end, cast pistions ect.

[FILUCKY]

While the motor is out and apart if you can afford it i would say yes, get a cam to match your intake or buy a matched setup. On a mild setup Edelbrock makes complete matched sets (cam,lifters,springs and/or intake) a good matched set will always run the best.

[malcolm]

I got my 781s for $200 and the guy threw in the block too. :)
There was a guy at the Monroe swap meet last year that had a completely rebuilt set of (stock) 049s for $400.
If you're gonna spend a fortune for heads, get some aftermarket ones.

[Jetmugg]

I had a pair of 781's at a machine shop - turns out 1 had a crack. Bought a second bare pair of 049's for something like $200. Took them to the machine shop. They checked out OK. Bought new valves(oversized) springs, keepers, etc. had new guides put in and the heads cut for the valves. By the time I was done, I had over $1100 invested in this set of heads. Then I was really kicking myself.
A couple of years prior, I bought a complete set of Aluminum Bowtie heads for $1500, complete with the right springs, big valves, much better ports, etc.
If you are going to spend $1000 for stock iron heads, strongly consider upping the ante a bit and getting some nice Al heads. (It'll save you about 100 pounds in the back of your boat also.)
SteveM

[BK]

Id be currious to know what the cc is on your closed chamber heads? I believe the 781 are 118cc? I had to open mine up to 120 for the pistons im running to keep the compression under 10.5-1. Id make sure you can even run these heads with you pistons. I almost bought a set of Merlin heads (not aluminum) for $950 bare when I was doing my build, after what I ended up puting in these heads id have probley been better off.

[Squirtcha?]

Like some of the other guys here, I had a set of stock iron heads completely gone through. New guides, Ported, polished, bigger valves, heavier springs for my cam etc. Had $950 worth of work done to em. One of em ended up cracking and I pitched the whole works (they were a total loss) in favor of some Edelbrock aluminum heads. They were $1650 brand new and all set up with everything I needed to bolt em on and go.
Personally, I'll never have another set of stock iron heads reworked when there are entry level aluminum heads so close in price.
like Steve (Jetmugg) said, you'll also be shaving off a ton of weight and that's always a good thing.