So I have been doing a lot of research and can't quite find what I'm looking for. I am rebuilding my first engine, a 1968 327, to put in my 1980 Camaro. I am on a pretty tight budget here, just trying not to spend all my savings. I am currently looking to put a set of 2.02/1.60 double hump heads on the engine. I will be rebuilding with flat top 10.5/1 compression pistons as well. Lastly I have a edelbrock torker intake, it came with the engine and I don't want to buy another. My question, what all will I have to do to a set of double hump heads to make sure they will work properly? I planed on rebuilding the heads, as I've found sets on ebay for less than $400. I've heard something about the valves and running modern gas. I just want to make sure it won't cost a lot to get them running, as cost is my biggest factor in getting these over, say, vortec.

 

you will want to go with hardened valve seats. that should do it unless your going to be on the track a lot.

 

You will have a lot of money in a set of very old castings. They will not have the harden seats needed for the unleaded gas of today. They will not flow as good as a set of vortec and most do not have the heads drilled for the extra like the alt. power steering ect. For the $400 budget you plan on spending you should be able to find a good set of take off vortec and a used intake to compete your motor.

 

What is your budget? Double Hump (Camel Hump) heads were the thing to have....back in the 1960's. But there are so many better head options available today that blow them away, including Vortec heads. You could spend more money on the camel hump heads for porting, etc. and they still wouldn't compare to the performance of the Vortecs. So do the math; buy a rebuildable pair of double hump heads for (more or less) $400, plus the cost to have the valve seats replaced with hardened ones (for running unleaded fuel) and the overall rebuilding of the heads. Depending on what additional work or parts they may need, you could easily end up having $800 invested in them by the time you're done. Whereas a ready to go Chevrolet Performance Vortec head from Jegs is $320.99 x2 = $641.98 for the pair. There are also cheaper Vortec options out there if you buy from a no name rebuilder. You will though need to buy a Vortec intake manifold, which go anywhere from $150-250 depending on brand and where you get it from, your Torker won't bolt up. So that means you're going to end up spending close to the same amount, either way you go, and the hump heads wouldn't be the smarter choice.

 

don't skimp on the heads even if you have a budget. skimp somewhere else. heads is what makes the engine breath and that means more power. these guys are right with the vortec option. the only way i'd do the double hump heads is if i was doing a restoration to original.

 

Camel hump heads are very "old tech".And with all the machine work you will have to do to run on today`s gas.Like screw in studs,drill and tap it for the newer brackets. and harden seats And you don`t know if they are cracked. It would save your money and buy a newer set of heads,I have run Dart II`s and Eldelbrock Performer RPM aluminum heads and were happy with both.And there are a lot more from Chevy and the aftermarket.Your choice.