Heads question for a 1959 290hp project build - NCRS Discussion Boards

Heads question for a 1959 290hp project build

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  • Gregory L.
    Expired
    • August 30, 2016
    • 79

    Heads question for a 1959 290hp project build

    Hi everyone

    can anyone shed light on a dilemma I'm facing.
    I'm doing a project build...a 1959 290hp FI motor.

    im looking for the heads and I had decided to go with the 550s. But then I read in Corvette by the numbers that the 550 heads for the 290hp...and only the 290 had cooling holes drilled in opposite the steam recesses which lined up with the cylinder block cooling holes.

    Is is this true ? And if so does anyone have a pic of what this looks like!

    thanks!
  • Joe L.
    Beyond Control Poster
    • February 1, 1988
    • 43219

    #2
    Re: Heads question for a 1959 290hp project build

    Originally posted by Gregory Limardi (62761)
    Hi everyone

    can anyone shed light on a dilemma I'm facing.
    I'm doing a project build...a 1959 290hp FI motor.

    im looking for the heads and I had decided to go with the 550s. But then I read in Corvette by the numbers that the 550 heads for the 290hp...and only the 290 had cooling holes drilled in opposite the steam recesses which lined up with the cylinder block cooling holes.

    Is is this true ? And if so does anyone have a pic of what this looks like!

    thanks!

    Gregory-------

    There were 2 different versions of the 3755550 cylinder heads used for 1959 Corvettes. However, from what I can tell one version was used for all engines with the Duntov cam while the other was used for all other engines. I believe, but I am not certain, that the difference was the cooling holes located on either end of the spark plug cooling "trough". So, I think that both FI and 270 HP used this version of the 3755550 head. The FI/270HP head was GM PART #3776894 while the other engines used GM PART #3758124.

    I think you will have a hard time finding heads with the holes. However, if you wish, I think you could add them to a '550' head without them. Would I add them? No.
    In Appreciation of John Hinckley

    Comment

    • Gregory L.
      Expired
      • August 30, 2016
      • 79

      #3
      Re: Heads question for a 1959 290hp project build

      Thanks Joe,
      i do have the 097 HL cam.....so I should be looking for 550/3776894?
      So in your opinion the holes aren't worth hassle?

      Comment

      • Joe L.
        Beyond Control Poster
        • February 1, 1988
        • 43219

        #4
        Re: Heads question for a 1959 290hp project build

        Originally posted by Gregory Limardi (62761)
        Thanks Joe,
        i do have the 097 HL cam.....so I should be looking for 550/3776894?
        So in your opinion the holes aren't worth hassle?

        Gregory------

        First of all, keep in mind that you won't find the cylinder head PART number anywhere on the head. But, you could infer it by finding a 3755550 head with the cooling holes. Personally, I would not bother looking for ones with the holes. It will be very difficult to find such heads, anyway.

        Is finding them worth the hassle? Well, let's put it this way: there were millions of small blocks manufactured before, during and after 1959 that did not have the holes in the heads and they got along just fine.
        In Appreciation of John Hinckley

        Comment

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