I just talked to the machine shop and both heads off my '68 430 (the big-ported heads!) are cracked....so I need replacements if they can't be welded. I also need both exhaust manifolds, and a timing chain cover...yikes!
i have the timing cover, and a right hand exhaust manifold both my heads on my '68 430 were cracked too, cracks were between the valve spring, and the valve cover area i ended up buying aluminum ones from TA, not cheap at $2500 a pair. hope you can find a pair of heads. pm me if interested
if you can wait about 2 weeks i should have the other manifold for you (both in fact) from a 68 430 Matt
I'm still up in air about a lot of this stuff....I'd like to get 'er back together by mid-August, so I need to slap together a game plan soon. The only new timing cover I've found is $400+ at TA Performance, and even more for one w/ suped-up oil passages & pump. I guess it'd be an investment, considering how finicky these engines seem to be about oiling. Would anybody be willing to get exhaust manifold(s) fluxed to check to cracks before sending to me? I really can't afford the shorty headers right now....heard they tend to warp & come away from the block, too. I'm tempted to just have the heads hot-welded...my cracks are also on the tops side near the springs. The 430s have those sweet ports....but the 455 heads apparently oil better thru the pushrods than the rocker shaft, w/ a little conversion if you switch over. See I learned somethin new today....just don't know which side of the fence to end up on. Definitely let you guys know when i know. Thanks!
i'll gladly donate my timing cover to you. i too got the TA cover, and a high volume oil pump. if i can be of any help, let me know
Was your stock timing cover giving you trouble? Is the oil pump housing (on the cover) groove-free? Hmm...you can't beat free (I'd ship of course) Thanks for the offer....I'll letcha know when the jury's in!
it was not giving any trouble, i wanted to upgrade to the TA cover, as i built my 430 for high performance use.inside area of cover looks great.
430 I have set of 67 big port heads I am taking to the BPG meet to sell. They need to be milled a little. I also have a timing cover. Clyde
I'm gonna go ahead and have the heads hot-welded....cracks on the top like that are a best-case scenario, I'm told. Think I might just bite the bullet (gulp!) & order one o' those new-fangled timing covers from TA, too....think I can write it off an as investment? :grin: Still hoping for un-cracked, un-warped exhaust manifolds...just don't think I can swing the TA shorty headers right now. Thanks, guys!
Same problem with my 430 heads, but the welding saved them. I hope you have the same good luck that I did. Devon
The guy @ the welding shop looked @ em & said piece of cake....good to know it's worked out for somebody else in the past!
