188 BB square port heads, what applications?

[Tony DiGiorgio]

Hello everyone,
A buddy has a set of 188 BB square port heads he wants to sell, what applications would these work for and what are they worth? they are not brand new bolt on, but everything looks good dated e-15-9
Thanks
Tony

[Clem Z.]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

#188 does not compute,post the complete casting #

[Warren F.]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

Tony,

Maybe your friend is referring to the exhaust valve size as 1.88 inch, if so there are 6 different big block head castings that have this valve size. '074, '291, '292, '026, '723 & '990.

[Chris Ward]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

Could this be it?

14096188...70-71...rect...OPEN...454 service replacement, also used on later Mark IV LS-6, LS-7 and 454 HO crate motors, 116cc chamber

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

Chris,

Tony indicated an E-15-9 casting date. Doubtful these would be the
heads you mentioned. In all actuality, with this date range, it would
have to be either: 39191840 -or- 3919842 I would suspect. If the valve
size is 1.88, then it would have to be the '842's.

Steve

[Warren F.]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

Chris,

Possibly, I only have reference materials that deal with much older part #'s. Normally I don't get into anything that is past 1972, as my interest in factory high performance pieces ends there.

I just happen to pull those casting #'s from Tom Wilsons "How to Rebuild Your Big Block Chevy Engine"

[Chris Ward]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

Steve,
I was thinking the same thing. I hope he posts the entire casting #.

[Tony DiGiorgio]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

Yes this is the complete number 14096188, Any idea what these might be worth?

[Joe L.]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

Tony-----

That casting number is not a casting number which was ever used on a PRODUCTION engine. So, from the "numbers matching" perspective, there is nothing about them that would be "attractive" to anyone looking for "numbers matching" (this is the "quality" which usually draws the big $$$$).

So, the value of these heads is from a functional perspective only. These heads were sold in SERVICE for many years under GM PART #6260482. In fact, they were only discontinued about 2 years ago. Given the casting number, which was the later of 2 casting numbers used for the GM PART #6260482 heads, I'd say that the date code refers to 1989, but it could be 1979 or 1999. No matter; it's entirely academic.

When discontinued, these heads sold for about $500, each, GM list. If they are in good condition, I'd say that the pair is probably worth in the range of $600-800. They are a very good performing head, perhaps as good or better than any other cast iron head that GM ever made. However, they are cast iron and cast iron is heavy. From a functional perspective, most folks want aluminum.

Aside from the issue of casting numbers, though, the external configuration of these heads is very similar to cast iron heads used during the 69-74 period. So, if someone is not after strict originality, they could be used for a 1969-74 restoration (although no 1970-74 cast iron head applications ever used the rectangular port configuration).

[Clem Z.]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

these heads are available as #6260482 for $380 each from SDPC

[Joe L.]

Re: 188 BB square port heads, what applications?

clem----

SDPC may have bought out GMSPO's remaining inventory or otherwise had a large inventory that they are still selling from. Through GMSPO, the heads are no longer available.

[Mark #28455]

1979 not 1969 *NM*

[Mark #28455]

externally identical to 1970 291 cast heads

If memory is still there, the 188 castings have the single rounded hump on the ends, which was also present on the 1968-69 840 castings, but the 1968 and 1969's used the larger, gasketed spark plugs. The 1970 switched to the later 5/8" hex spark plugs and I think still had the single hump on the ends, but no Corvette from 1970 on used the cast iron big port heads. BUT the 1970 Camaro, Chevelle, Nova used the 291 casting, and the 188 casting externally could pass - so they may have a value to somebody restoring those cars (although they are by no means rare).
Mark