Should I ditch my 2 pairs of '73 heads?

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by ranger, Mar 24, 2018.

  1. ranger

    ranger Well-Known Member

    Hi folks,

    I have two sets of standard-valve '73 heads. They are too heavy to ship to anyone, I'm pretty sure. Should I just take them to the junkyard and get a buck or two for them, based on weight??

    Thanks in advance!

    Best,

    Ranger
    Aiken, SC
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I wouldn't, someone will want them. I'd put them up for sale in "Parts for Sale", or give them away in "Pay it Forward" to anyone willing to come get them.
     
    ranger likes this.
  3. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    When I shipped a set of cast iron BBB heads I think it was only around $60 each with UPS from the Detroit metropolitan area to the Chicago Metro area. Those were fully assembled heads too, had to ship them individually.

    If you sell them as cores for $50 a set, the $120 or so to ship may not be to bad for someone that can't find any locally?
     
  4. KenneBelle455

    KenneBelle455 Well-Known Member

    If they are assembled runners that someone can bolt on as-is or with very little work, they have value to someone who just needs a set of cheap heads to get their engine running. Sometimes it's easy to forget that not everyone is a performance nut, but some people simply need to keep their cars running on a budget. So no, I would never trash a perfectly good set of heads, rather than sell them or give them to someone who needs them.
     
    johnriv67, ranger, Schurkey and 2 others like this.
  5. patwhac

    patwhac Well-Known Member

    I’ve got 76 heads on my 76 block, and I would pay for some “bolt on and run” earlier heads to get rid of the open chamber. I would pay for shipping if it was really onky $120 plus a bit more for the trouble!
     
    ranger likes this.
  6. BUICKRAT

    BUICKRAT Got any treats?

    Have they been tested? If they are 'rtr' they have some value.
     
  7. ranger

    ranger Well-Known Member

    These heads would need to be "gone through" if you wanted to be assured that they are read to bolt on. But I have an excellent local machinest w/ tons of experience and he could do the job for a reasonable price. Yes, a big improvement over '76 open-chamber heads! My machinest can also do some bowl porting and, as I said, he is very reasonable. I live in the Deep South and labor things like this are cheaper down here, for sure.
     
  8. patwhac

    patwhac Well-Known Member

    I may be interested actually. How much do you think it would cost to have them gone through, mildly ported, and shipped to 94703? Feel free to PM me too if you want!
     
  9. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Dam dude, shipping from the right coast to the left coast would be killer for all that weight! Probably around $300 to ship that far?

    You should be able to find something more local, what about Hector, isn't he on the left coast? Maybe he can find something for you that's more local?
     
    ranger likes this.
  10. MD_76_LIMITED

    MD_76_LIMITED Trust the process...

    For what its worth, I purchased my iron heads from a member here from Arizona. Shipping to MD was about $70 per head. Wasn't too bad in the grand scheme of things.
     
    ranger likes this.
  11. ranger

    ranger Well-Known Member

    As stated in this thread, I think $70/head should be doable on shipping. I don't know where your zip code is, so it might be a little cheaper but prolly not by much. "Mildly ported" means different things to different people. I think to have them completely gone thru, w/ some "pocket porting" and bowl clean-up should be no more than $300/head--Less, if you wanted less work done.

    If you are interested I will bring one to my local machinest and ask him, though he won't be able to quote an exact price, since one never knows about valve-guide replacement, etc., until one gets into the job.

    Best,

    Ranger
    Aiken, SC
     
  12. patwhac

    patwhac Well-Known Member

    Gotcha, thanks for the info. I think the prices are pretty good but it’s close to $800 total so I have to weigh my options. Do you guys think that the gains from going to closed chambers from open chambers is really worth it (for the $) on a stock 455?
     
    ranger likes this.
  13. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    I priced out shipping a set of 350 heads from east coast to Washington state just about a month ago. It was around $110-$115 a head . Fed-Ex . The weight is around 65-70 pounds per head so it has to go in 2 boxes
     
  14. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Try Fastenal for shipping
     
  15. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    I just tossed a pair....actually got scrap price for them. Couldn't give then away on craigslist.....
     
    ranger likes this.
  16. johnriv67

    johnriv67 Well-Known Member

    Shoulda given them to me then. Someone will always want something that someone else has.
     

Share This Page