Is there any advantage to swap my 1970 standard 455 heads to 1972-1976 455s. If so, do I need to do anything special? Are the intakes interchangeable (would like to loose the smog stuff intakes).
no advantage , i think the later heads have bigger chambers which would lower your compression and you dont want to do that . i would go with the aluminum heads if you are going to make a change. mike
I was wanting to put the 1970 heads on my 1976 Electra (7.9 comp.) and possibly gain a little compression and flow since I had a set laying around. What do you think? If so, which stock manifold would I need to use? Talk me through it as I'm wet behind the ears. Thanks!
That makes more sense. Your first post sounded like you wanted to take it the other way. You'll want to use a 70-71, pre EGR intake if you want to keep it stock., or use an aftermarket dual plane like the TA or Edelbrock. The swap itself is pretty straight up, but you'll have to deal with what to do with all your emmissions stuff, air pump etc. I'm not sure on that stuff. Lots of people run early heads on a late model block, myself included. Use the search function on this board and you'll get tons of info.
You must use the felpro blue gaskets to swap 70 heads to a later block. may be able to use other TA gaskets such as orange crush etc etc but you can not use the steel shim type head gaskets. water leaks are inevitable if you do. Bob
While I have the heads off, what lifters would you recommend and are the pushrods compatible with the 1970 heads?
Interchanging stock pushrods should not be a problem. After market might if outside diameter is different. Best to check pushrod hole diameter in head if in doubt. You might also gain a little extra with either alum. older style rockers (not as strong) or after market style. Bill
