will i get more power out of a gm small block 350 if i put 327 heads on it?

Question

i have a 1976 gm 350 and some one told me if i put a head from a smaller small block i will get more power anything helps thanks!

Answer 1

If you are referring to the old camel hump heads, then yes they will make the engine compression come up because they have smaller combustion chambers. They also have big valves and breath a lot better than stock heads do. The drawbacks are: Some of them have no place to mount your accessories such as alternator, AC, etc; Not many of these heads are left, and a good set is almost impossible to find. A set of these heads will increase your combustion area to either 58cc or up to 64cc. This of course is when used with factory thick head gaskets. Will you get more power? Yes, a lot more power, but you will also get spark knock that can ruin your pistons if you use low octane gas. With the stock pistons that you have in a "76" engine, you should be ok if you burn 93 octane or better all the time, and watch how much ignition timing you give it.
The best advice I could give you, is to tell you to have a long talk with a qualified engine builder such as a local machine shop operator, speed shop, or a known race car owner/builder. I could write a book on things you should know about heads. You can pick up on some good information about these heads at www.chevyhighperformance.com and click on tech section. They did a complete bench flow test of many different heads, and you should find the old camel humps in there. I might add that all 327 heads were not camel humps, and some would even slow your engine down. Its better to know what to do, and what not to do before you decide to use any head other than what was on your engine to begin with.
Glad I could help. Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

If I may add, you might think about getting a set of cast iron aftermarket heads. When you do the math they aren't much more than a set of old camel humps once you do the necissary work to them. If you are going to remain relitivly stock on the bottom end use heads with the smaller valves (1.94/1.60). Good luck.

Answer 3

It all depends on the cc size of the combustion chamber.... the area on the head and the valve size. Chevy has 3 valve sizes. 1.72 intake, 1.94, and 2.02. You need to check yours on your hads and see. If you have 1.76 heads I would highley recommend replacing them. Go here to check the casting numbers to see what you have.