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Well I’ve been eluding to this for awhile now, I wasn’t done bringing new parts to the Olds community!
i’m especially proud of this accomplishment.
i signed an NDA in the summer of ‘17 to start this project with Edelbrock and I’m the only one outside of them to be involved in this and I have three years of emails and the NDA to prove it. But I’m also thrilled they’re finally here!
2 versions of new Olds cyl heads. A “small block” version and a “Big block“ version. Here are the details;
Both heads have improved/revised intake and exhaust ports, combustion chambers and castings
Big block head has 2.15/1.68 valves and a 77cc chamber. Chamber is based on a 4.155 bore size
Small block head has the current 2.072/1.68 valves but with a new smaller 68cc chamber based on a 4.00” bore size
Both no longer have machined drain backs, they’re now cast into each end
improved spark plug location
And best of all both styles of heads will have one end scalloped to clear a mech fuel pump.
Plus for the next level guys there’s now added material between the valve cover rails and rocker stud bosses so the intake port can be raised as much as .400.
Its been three years of keeping my mouth shut because of the NDA. However you can blame Joe P as well😉, I forwarded some pics to him a couple of months ago.
My goal has always been for the Olds enthusiast to be able to page thru a Summit or Jegs Catalog and buy the pieces needed in order to build a respectable Olds power plant. This is now a major step towards that goal and I’m damn proud of it!.
Current head on top, new one on the bottom.
Thanks guys!!!
Last edited by cutlassefi; January 2nd, 2021 at 12:40 PM.
Cutlassefi - That's tremendous, you should be proud! Thanks for supporting the Old's community. Do you have any thoughts/recommendations yet for a "Best" carb/intake combo to go with the big block heads to support a strong street application?
Location: Colorado Springs Colorado/Thousand Oaks Ca
Posts: 1,719
Originally Posted by cutlassefi
Well I’ve been eluding to this for awhile now, I wasn’t done bringing new parts to the Olds community!
i’m especially proud of this accomplishment.
i signed an NDA in the summer of ‘17 to start this project with Edelbrock and I’m the only one outside of them to be involved in this and I have three years of emails and the NDA to prove it. But I’m also thrilled they’re finally here!
2 versions of new Olds cyl heads. A “small block” version and a “Big block“ version. Here are the details;
Both heads have improved/revised intake and exhaust ports, combustion chambers and castings
Big block head has 2.15/1.68 valves and a 77cc chamber. Chamber is based on a 4.155 bore size
Small block head has the current 2.072/1.68 valves but with a new smaller 68cc chamber based on a 4.00” bore size
Both no longer have machined drain backs, they’re now cast into each end
improved spark plug location
And best of all both styles of heads will have one end scalloped to clear a mech fuel pump.
Plus for the next level guys there’s now added material between the valve cover rails and rocker stud bosses so the intake port can be raised as much as .400.
Its been three years of keeping my mouth shut because of the NDA. However you can blame Joe P as well😉, I forwarded some pics to him a couple of months ago.
My goal has always been for the Olds enthusiast to be able to page thru a Summit or Jegs Catalog and buy the pieces needed in order to build a respectable Olds power plant. This is now a major step towards that goal and I’m damn proud of it!.
Current head on top, new one in the bottom.
Thanks guys!!!
All current intakes work, they didn’t change any port locations. That wouldn’t make sense, they make the manifolds too.
Flow numbers are slightly better than what was previously printed. Those number were a little happy, by about 5%. The engineer I was working with didn’t know how or where they got those numbers.
For a street application I’d still run a Performer, an RPM for something a little more stout and the Victor for all out race applications.
i have a set of the small block heads on my mule right now. But my hip issue got in the way. Hoping to test in the next couple of weeks. That will be the following, irons with RPM intake. The new ones with the same RPM intake. Then a modified RPM, then a Victor just for giggles. The difference should be huge, stock irons flow 200-210 with 2.00” valves and minor bowl work. new ones flow about 260.
Last edited by cutlassefi; January 1st, 2021 at 06:30 AM.
All current intakes work, they didn’t change any port locations. That wouldn’t make sense, they make the manifolds too.
Flow numbers are slightly better than what was previously printed. Those number were a little happy, by about 5%. The engineer I was working with didn’t know how or where they got those numbers.
For a street application I’d still run a Performer, an RPM for something a little more stout and the Victor for all out race applications.
i have a set of the small block heads on my mule right now. But my hip issue got in the way. Hoping to test in the next couple of weeks. That will be the following, irons with RPM intake. The new ones with the same RPM intake. Then a modified RPM, then a Victor just for giggles. The difference should be huge, stock irons flow 200-210 with 2.00” valves and minor bowl work. new ones flow about 260.
Thanks! I hope you tack the results of future tests onto this thread so we can keep all the relevant data together.
Thats pretty awesome thanks for seeing this through. Aluminum heads are on my someday list.
so its one casting that is machined for big or small block or two separate castings?
2021 starting out on the right foot!!
2 separate castings, one with the 68cc chamber and 4.00” bore center, the other with 77cc chamber and 4.155 bore center.
Plus the intake runners are different on the big block head to accommodate the larger valve.
Congrats, Mark. I know you've been working these for quite a while. Glad to see them out in the open now. Kudos for all the hard work.
Thanks Joe!
I was going to send you pics of the small block heads but just got them a couple of weeks before my surgery so I just didn’t have time.
Like we discussed, I’m hoping these are a game changer for the Olds community, especially for the small block guys and all the other lower compression big block guys like you pointed out. I hope they sell!🤞If not then that’ll delay any further projects.
Mark! You are the man! How about a 360 view when you can. Big block ones. Perfect size for a DX build. What other things are cooking??? And a happy new to you and all! 2021 is starting better already!
And here I just got done prepping my current fresh edelbrock heads for the next build......
Nice to see the casting now has several of the changes we've had to do manually until now (clean up and enlarge the drain back, unshroud the exhaust valve).
Very interested in out-of-the-box flow numbers!
added material between the valve cover rails and rocker stud bosses so the intake port can be raised as much as .400.
Was the intake floor raised? Been thinking for the last few weeks about new heads coming out. You threw me a curveball talking about maybe someone else would come out with a new head. And you knew all the time..Now it making me crazy, Pleaseshow picture of intakes, exhaust, machined drain backs, rocker pads. Thanks again, Mark
Nice Mark....great news for the 77-79 Trans Am guys with 403’s. Finally a bolt on set of heads that aren’t 60’s /70’s tech and take a full rebuild.
I assume these need 1/2 holes drilled for 403’s. Get well.
added material between the valve cover rails and rocker stud bosses so the intake port can be raised as much as .400.
Was the intake floor raised? Been thinking for the last few weeks about new heads coming out. You threw me a curveball talking about maybe someone else would come out with a new head. And you knew all the time..Now it making me crazy, Pleaseshow picture of intakes, exhaust, machined drain backs, rocker pads. Thanks again, Mark
Floor is not raised but can be filled once the roof is raised. I have other pics and flow sheets, I’ll try to post those as soon as I can find them.
Olds403- You’re right Mike, game changer for T/A guys, we hope.
Don't have part numbers yet, just the casting numbers off the prototype heads I have in my possession.
And yes, I couldn’t say anything to anyone although a couple on here I entrusted this info with.
Last edited by cutlassefi; January 1st, 2021 at 10:09 AM.
Mark! You are the man! How about a 360 view when you can. Big block ones. Perfect size for a DX build. What other things are cooking??? And a happy new to you and all! 2021 is starting better already!
Yes Mark, what HighwayStar said. Anything else cooking!?!?!? Lol
Congratulations with the heads. Monumental moment for you!!!!!
Now you got me really wanting to start my DX build😳😳
Happy New Year Mark!!!!
Is it me! The push rod holes look bigger and like they are moved a little to open the width a bit. And port roof higher. With a cleaner shot into the bowls? Can not wait to see the big block ones. I will start adding more frame stiffener to my G body.
Any idea when there gonna become available? Will the pricing be what there going for now?
Edelbrock website has them at $1025.00 apiece assembled. I think that’s a helluva price for a first class bolt on head, from a very reputable company.
i should know more on Monday regarding availability but don’t be afraid to call and pester them for more info as well.
Yes Mark, what HighwayStar said. Anything else cooking!?!?!? Lol
Congratulations with the heads. Monumental moment for you!!!!!
Now you got me really wanting to start my DX build😳😳
Happy New Year Mark!!!!
Wow, that's cheap. Son of a gun... That's cheaper than I thought. I just pulled the trigger on RR heads, luckily I got them used but uninstalled. Dang it
Some flow data would be interesting to see.
Yeah we tried to think of everything, within the scope of what was practical.
To be honest I wanted a smaller intake runner and exhaust valve on the small block version but couldn’t get there. In hindsight though these will be a killer addition for the TA guys so the current runner and valves will do just fine. That’s what started the conversation anyway over 3 years ago.
Last edited by cutlassefi; January 2nd, 2021 at 08:11 AM.
January 1st, 2021, 01:49 AM
When will these be available to the masses?
