Lets talk Small Block

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by special-K

Maybe that's why Vortec heads tend to crack

No kidding didn't know that. I think I'm leaning toward sticking with my heads and trying to come up with a cam that will work well with them. I'd still love a 383 I'm pretty sure of that. But that's another several thousand. I don't at all look forward to process of breaking in a cam and adjusting rockers and all that. I think I'm becoming lazy as I get older. Gotta do something though.

[Captainfab]

The iron Vortec heads have the spark plugs in the original or at least very close location. The Fastburn heads have angled plugs. Both the iron Vortecs and Fastburn heads have raised exhaust ports.

The Vortec heads cracking issue is due to 2 things. 1) lightweight castings 2) The original factory intake manifold gaskets were prone to failure and leaking coolant. If this was not caught and the vehicle continually driven, the engine could overheat. This would cause the cracking.