Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

Sportmachines

Active member
We are looking at using these heads on a build. Can anyone identify what these are? Something just doest look right. We were thinking it is a L-35.

Dcp_1696.jpg

Dcp_1693.jpg

Dcp_1694.jpg
 

Icarus-54

Donating Old Member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

L-35,#181 are L-35,also look to see if the intake port has the notch.
Jack
 

Sportmachines

Active member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

We did notice the heart shape chamber. I will have to get some more pics. Anyone else?
 

bezerk

New member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

get the numbers that are under the valvecover
 

nallj92

Active member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

pictures of the intake ports/bolt patterns will also rule out vortecs or l35's

appears to have intake bolt hole bosses for l35/lb4 heads but with the vortec combustion chamber design(looks cast in) from what the pictures show.....interesting curious on date codes for these.
 

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

yea they look like l35s based on the intake ports...but whats the casting number up near the springs?
 

Icarus-54

Donating Old Member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

My 95 astro van was in the last 50 made,when I redid the motor I almost shit,it had the same heads.6 bolt intake,notched for popit valves and heart shaped chambers with L-35 casting numbers.
Jack
 

Sportmachines

Active member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

My 95 astro van was in the last 50 made,when I redid the motor I almost shit,it had the same heads.6 bolt intake,notched for popit valves and heart shaped chambers with L-35 casting numbers.
Jack

This is very very interesting. You got any pics to compare?
 

Icarus-54

Donating Old Member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

The van was rebuilt about 5 yrs. ago,but the heads are exactly the same.They had the10238181 casting # same as regular L-35's
Jack
 

Sportmachines

Active member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

I wonder if it is something GM was trying out? The best of both worlds. Wonder how many of these heads are around?
 

Icarus-54

Donating Old Member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

Near as I can tell,my van was 37th from the last one made.Transition head perhaps?
Jack
 

turbodig

Active member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

Didn't you guys have somebody local doing L35 heads with welded up chambers?

I would think a well-ported set of heads like this would perform as well as any vortec setup, and wouldn't require manifold mods.
 

DaveP

Active member
Re: Can anyone identify these Cylinder heads?

So what IS the casting number and date of the OP's head? The question was asked three times, but never answered.

I too have a pair of 8181 heads. The date is D105 on both heads. April 10, 1995. That's pretty "late". But they do not have the chamber shape in the OP's pic.

I have a hard time believing that there is a different chamber shape with the 8181 casting number. This is not 'normal' behavior for GM based on decades of experience of observation.
 
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