replacement head for 60 C-1

[Don Izzo]

alright.... before I begin the tear down of my newly rebuilt (but suddenly smoking on one side only after 2000 miles) motor, I'm wondering where I might find a replacement head for my 1960 (if needed) and what I will need to look for when/if I find one . I assume I will need the same casting number but I am not aware if there is a date code stamped somewhere that I should attempt to duplicate?

Don

[Mike M.]

Re: replacement head for 60 C-1

casting date of sbc heads under valve covers .the cast date is cast into the iron, not stamped like the engine pad data. mike

[Joe L.]

Re: replacement head for 60 C-1

Don-----

What makes you think that you need a replacement cylinder head? The engine could experience a lot of problems that will have no effect on either cylinder head.

However, if you do need one, it would probably be best to try to obtain one that matches the other head with respect to casting number. It's not absolutely essential from a functional perspective considering that there will undoubtedly be other very similar heads of different casting numbers that you could use. But, it would still be best to use a "matching" one and obviously better from an originality standpoint.

For your application, the cylinder heads should be GM CASTING #3774692. As far as dates go, it only has to precede the engine build date by 6 months. While the dates of the 2 heads on an engine were usually fairly close together, it's uncommon that they match exactly.

[Don Izzo]

Re: replacement head for 60 C-1

Joe, Thanks for the cast number but where would I look to find the production date you spoke about. By the way, I don't know yet if I need a head. I am just trying to plan for every eventuality when I find the reason for the oil consumption. It could take months to find a head and then have it reconditioned. Don't want any down time next spring!

Don

[Joe L.]

Re: replacement head for 60 C-1

Don-----

The casting date will be found under the valve cover in the same general area as the casting number. It will be an coding consisting of a letter followed by 2 or 3 numbers. The letter indicates the month, the last number indicates the year and the numbers in between indicate the day of the month. If you look at the top surface of the head, it's very easy to find.

[mike cobine]

Re: replacement head for 60 C-1

Here is a typical head casting number and date.

[Don Izzo]

Re: replacement head for 60 C-1

Mike Thanks for the photo, A picture is worth a thousand words! SO I should just try to duplicate the numbers I find as close as possible or within 6 months prior to the build date of the engine right?

Don

[mike cobine]

Re: replacement head for 60 C-1

If you know that those are the original heads and you intend to build it completely original, yes.

If not, casting numbers and dates do not affect performance.