Stock head build up guestions

[BLK95-Z]

Im getting a shopping list together for my stock heads, I was going to get LE2s but I get good machine work DIRT cheap from a close friend who owns local a machine shop. There is also a local guy with a flow bench that does incredable port work. Long story short I can build some good heads for 1/2 the price of LE2s, plus Im broke and on a budget. Im sort of a noob with heads and just have a few questions before I get started so here goes....

First off the motor Im building is a 95. Are these good heads to use? Ive read both good and bad.

Next, I already have the cam, springs, locks, and retainers. Everything Comp Cams, are these the parts I need for a cc306?
retainer part # 740-16
locks part # 613-16
springs cc 986s

What size studs and RR's do you think I should buy? Is there anything else I need?

Part numbers would be great.

Also, my block and heads have never been touched, I plan on having the heads resurfaced and the block decked, what size push rods do I use? Or should I just wait and measure?

Lastly, Im going to be adding spray later on. I already want to upgrade my valves to steel ones and maybe go up a size or two. What size and brand of valves to you think I should get?

Am I forgetting anything? Thanks for your help!

[Greg]

I'm kind of a newb at this too but I think I have an idea of what your looking for.


First off the motor Im building is a 95. Are these good heads to use? Ive read both good and bad. With a 95' I would guess your heads are the 643 casting. Those will work fine.


Next, I already have the cam, springs, locks, and retainers. Everything Comp Cams, are these the parts I need for a cc306?
retainer part # 740-16
locks part # 613-16
springs cc 986sHere are the cam details for the 306 off their website. Under the specs they have the recommended components to run that cam. Looks like you should upgrade your stuff. http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/CamDetails.aspx?csid=1103&sb=2

Looks like they recommend the following:
Retainers: 787-16 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-787-16
Valve Locks: 648-16 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-648-16
Springs: 26918-16 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-26918-16/


What size studs and RR's do you think I should buy? Is there anything else I need? 7/16" stud and 1.6 ratio RR's. Harded guideplates.


Also, my block and heads have never been touched, I plan on having the heads resurfaced and the block decked, what size push rods do I use? Or should I just wait and measure?Wait and measure


Lastly, Im going to be adding spray later on. I already want to upgrade my valves to steel ones and maybe go up a size or two. What size and brand of valves to you think I should get? Not really sure on this one.

For more part #'s or to see what parts I'm using just take a look at my thread I made. http://ltxtech.com/forums/showthread.php?10542-Am-I-missing-anything-List-for-cam-swap.

[96LT1355Z28]

^^ What he said, if your planing on using NOS you may want to consider upgrading to a stock style forged piston and at least upgrading your rod bolts. You can get a set of I beam rods with ARP bolts for under $300.00. Get the brushed fit ones so you can change pistons if needed without the risk of ruining the rods and pins. As far as valves go I believe LE uses Manley steel ones and the LE2's have 2.00/1.56 vs the stock 1.94/1.50. From Lloyd himself when I asked if he preferred one head over another as cores: "the 97 model (561 castings) are a lil thinner than the older castings (374/643) so I would prefer the older (374/643 castings to start with".

[BLK95-Z]

Thanks Greg - So the springs, retainers and locks I have are not compatible with the 306? Or are they just not the best? The guy I bought the parts from said when he bought the cam from summit this was the springs and retainers that were suppose to go with it. So should I sell them? Also is a 7/16 stud an upgrade? Will I need to have my heads tapped for them also?

96LT1 - the pistons I have are Speed Pro forged with Eagle rods, Im not sure what kind of fit the bolts are. How can I tell? Its pretty small but my avatar is a pic of them. Will these be good for spray eventually? If 2.00/1.56 Manleys are good enough for LE then thats what Ill get!

I didnt order all these parts they all came together in a box from a seller so thats why Im asking if theyre good together. Thanks for the help

[Greg]

I would double check this info with more knowledgeable people as I'm kinda in the learning stages myself but with that being said.

Thanks Greg - So the springs, retainers and locks I have are not compatible with the 306? Or are they just not the best? The guy I bought the parts from said when he bought the cam from summit this was the springs and retainers that were suppose to go with it. So should I sell them?From what I've read online it seems they would really be pushing their limits with the 306 especially if you step up to 1.6 RR's


Also is a 7/16 stud an upgrade? Will I need to have my heads tapped for them also?
Not sure on this one yet. Haven't done this on mine yet. I'll know as soon as I go to the machine shop in a few days or so.

[BLK95-Z]

ok...so after more research and talking with some other folks Ive come to the conclusion that the springs/locks/retainers I have WERE the recommended parts that go with the 306 cam 6 or 7 years ago when the cam set up was purchased. Since then the beehive springs have come out, theyre suppose to be better lighter with a single spring that is more stable. The 986 set up will work so I guess Ill run them because I really dont want to spend $175-$200 for another spring set up when these will work. I got all this info from a very helpful member of another forum that evidentally NEVER throws away his Comp Cam catalogs, he had catalogs from 6 years ago still laying around. lol

[96LT1355Z28]

Those pistons and rods will be fine, actually they're probably exactly the same as the ones I'm selling from my 355! Speed Pro -6.1cc forged 4 valve relief piston (4340 alunimum), and Eagle 5140 forged steel I beam rods with 5140 APR bolts.

[BLK95-Z]

I finally got these LE2 heads finished. I shipped them to Lloyd on 4/22 and got them back last Saturday, we ran into some issues with the springs I sent him not being the ones in the box so it took a little longer to get them back. I think they turned out pretty sweet.

Heres a few pics

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/scrubbin627/le2.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/scrubbin627/motor039.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/scrubbin627/motor043.jpg

Ive never had heads ported so this may be a stupid question but does the porting always break through under the intake rocker studs? It says to use silicone in the intake studs.

[n2ocamaro]

My heads are like that in the rocker stud area. I was concerned too, but my engine builder since it was a none issue. Just use a thread sealer.

[jakesz28]

I'm pretty sure those are the same springs I had when I was running the cc306. They will work.

[jakesz28]

I finally got these LE2 heads finished. I shipped them to Lloyd on 4/22 and got them back last Saturday, we ran into some issues with the springs I sent him not being the ones in the box so it took a little longer to get them back. I think they turned out pretty sweet.

Heres a few pics

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/scrubbin627/le2.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/scrubbin627/motor039.jpg
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/scrubbin627/motor043.jpg

Ive never had heads ported so this may be a stupid question but does the porting always break through under the intake rocker studs? It says to use silicone in the intake studs.


Mine are not stock castings but they broke thru at the rockers studs and the intakes ports broke thru at the head bolt in between the two ports. Not worried one bit.


http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l211/jakesz28/IMG00401-20100701-1642.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l211/jakesz28/IMG00402-20100701-1642.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l211/jakesz28/IMG00400-20100701-1641.jpg

[BLK95-Z]

Mine are not stock castings but they broke thru at the rockers studs and the intakes ports broke thru at the head bolt in between the two ports. Not worried one bit.


http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l211/jakesz28/IMG00401-20100701-1642.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l211/jakesz28/IMG00402-20100701-1642.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l211/jakesz28/IMG00400-20100701-1641.jpg

Thanks man thats good to know. I figured it was prolly ok because it was done to every one on both heads. Your heads look great who did the port work? Are those AFRs?

[jakesz28]

They are RHS heads. Started as the 235 cc runners. I'm sure there a little bigger. The work was done by bauer racing.

[sinistr]

ok...so after more research and talking with some other folks Ive come to the conclusion that the springs/locks/retainers I have WERE the recommended parts that go with the 306 cam 6 or 7 years ago when the cam set up was purchased. Since then the beehive springs have come out, theyre suppose to be better lighter with a single spring that is more stable. The 986 set up will work so I guess Ill run them because I really dont want to spend $175-$200 for another spring set up when these will work. I got all this info from a very helpful member of another forum that evidentally NEVER throws away his Comp Cam catalogs, he had catalogs from 6 years ago still laying around. lol


i run the 986 springs with the 306 cam and havent had an issue with them so far .. but i think if i remember correctly i had to shave the sides of the arp washers on the middle head bolts cause those springs are wide .

[95formula383lt1]

i have 986-16 with a cc306 or 2, no issues with them at all.

[BLK95-Z]

Im actually not 100% sure what spring I have now. The cc986 springs I sent with the heads WERE NOT real 986s. The box had been opened and some cheap 90 pound springs were replaced with the real ones (I never looked at them and even if I did I probably couldnt tell). So when Lloyd seen this he called me and asked what I wanted to do....he said yes the 986s were fine and since I already had the other parts for a double spring it would be foolish to buy everything for the single spring setup. I told him I would get some springs shipped to him but before I could order them he called back and said he found a box of new double springs in his shop that were the correct seat pressure but were a different brand. I trust his advise so I said sure, he sold them to me for $100.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/scrubbin627/springs002.jpg