ORVette

I know someone who's selling some used 186 casting heads. They probably need rebuilt, but they came off a running motor. No cracks or broken bolts. What should I offer? Thanks!
Troy

1979toy

Depends on what you plan on doing with them. If you are going to just bolt them on and drive then they might be worth 100.00.
I bought a pair of used, ported heads earlier this year. By the time that I had gotten 2.02/1.60 valves, new springs, 3/8ths screw in studs and paid for the machine work to mill them flat and install the parts I could have bought a pair of Sportsman II heads complete. Bad thinking on my part. Machine work may be cheaper where you are, but check before you jump in.

Rowdy Rat

In your situation, I think I'd pass on them... Not that there is anything inherently wrong with these heads as they can be made to work rather well. The problem is that you will spend quite a bit to prep them to a level that several GM and aftermarket heads currently achieve right out of the box. By the time your done with machine work and valvetrain parts, you'll probably spend less on new castings (even though your initial purchase price might be higher).

If your car originally came with 186s and you were going to be running stock exhaust manifolds/exhaust system, then I'd be inclined to spend the money on the old heads... This doesn't appear to be your situation though.

Depending on casting dates (1969-70 dates are prized) you can spend as much as $500 for a pair of cores.

Good luck with your decision!

Regards,

john's '81 mouse

Troy, I agree that you need to decide what you really want before you spend the $. I've seen a set of 186s around here go for $200, and they needed a complete rebuild! Unless they've already been rebuilt, believe they did not come with the hardened exhaust valve seats which you should have if you are going to burn unleaded gasoline. If you can do all of the machine work yourself, or have a friend who is a good / great machine shop specialist, and will do the work for little or nothing, then maybe you can purchase and rebuild the heads, but you'd still have a good deal of money in them. The 186 head is a pretty good old technology stock head, which can be made to flow pretty good with some mild and professionally done pocket porting, but even after all this work, won't come close to flowing like a new stock, out of the box Chevy Vortec head.

Be aware that some 186 heads came with 1.94/1.5 valves and others came with 2.02/1.6 valves, and they all have 64cc combustion chamber size (before milling), and this is pretty small, perhaps too small, if you are currently running flat top pistons. Believe you can use the 64cc heads and still burn pump gas (91 octane or higher), if you have dished pistons.

adam

> In the end, same cost as complete sportsman II heads.

Wow! Complete, these heads are about $750. I didn't know that the
machine work took that much.

ORVette

Well, I went ahead and got them. They are a matched pair with Feb.'70 date codes. Not sure of the valve size yet, but the seller guaranteed no cracks and good threads. Ended up at $150 with valves and springs. I figure they're worth that to put on a shelf in my garage and keep for nostalgia's sake. I'll post a pic and more info when I pick them up tonight if anybody's interested in seeing them. Thanks for all the replies.
Troy

Rowdy Rat

Troy,

February 1970 dated 186 heads for $150? As long as they pressure test OK, I'd say you got a real good deal.

Heck, I'd put 'em on my shelf for that kind of money! :)

Regards,