how to identify my small block heads?

[73_RoadRunner]

i have a 87 or 88 cop 318 engine with 360 heads on it i was woundering how do you know what heads are on it like j heads how do you know if you have j heads what is the differnce in them and anyother head how much are they worth a peace?
what are all the types of heads for small block motors which are the best and why? whould my motor have j heads?
are w2 heads almost the same as j heads? which are bettera few people asked me if they were and i didnt know what heads are there for big blocks

[Firelord]

Ok, let's start craking at that one.

No, you will not have J heads. J heads were in production up to the early seventies and came in 340 and some 360 engines, valve sizes were 1.88/160. Earlier heads are X heads which are probably the best small block chrysler muscle car era head, problem is they did not have hardened seats for use with nonleaded gas. valves were 2.02/1.60. Port shape through the mid 80's changed little so almost any of those heads can be fitted with 2.02/1.60 valves for close to x head flow (200-220cfm range). Heads are identified by their casting number and and a letter that was cast into the head. J heads are also refferred to as 915s (correct me guys if I slipped) since the casting number ends in those digits. Some of the smog era heads had air injection ports which will need to be plugged for performance use.

W2 heads did not come stock. They are mopar performance aftermarket and flow very well. However, they are not needed in street applications. This is more of a strip head that is very good with higher lift cams. Im not extremely familiar with the 87/88 model years, but an 87/88 cop car may have the 72 cc police heads or the short chamber fast burn heads. The latter are very good since they give higher compression and have swirl port technology. I would probably run these (308's) over X heads if I had both to choose from. A casting in good condition should run you $50-$100 a piece and figure $200-$600 in rebuild parts and machine shop work, more if you get porting.

I don't know too much about big blocks, but 906 heads are good.

[73_RoadRunner]

where could i find the id casting numbers on the head? i got the 4 bbl intake that was orignaly on it and i'm changing it over to vaccume distibutor what size carb and brand should i put on it? how many hores would you say this cop car ingine would have i put a edelbeock pperformer cam lifters and timing set it it too

[DodgeRamSS]

Just pop the valve covers off and look for a 7 or 8 digit number... (can't remember the eaxact #... its been too long) if you post it we can find out what heads they are and see what other vehicles they came on.

[tcvpar]

page 128 in small blk.[ a ] engines gives a list of casting n. 4027596 is a guess it is listed as a hp .head ... .. some one said these heads are bad about cracking . and advised having them mag .. fluxed.. they are listed to 91.... also listed is 4071051 hope it helps

[5thAve]

Whatever head it is it could well be the same as the heads 360s had for that year. Like DodgeRam said just pop a valve cover off and have a look for the #s.

[pishta]

This site is a good start. casting numbers