1957 #997 HEADS are they Rare ?

[Francis F.]

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a friend wants me to buy these heads,and claims they were one year only.which he claims they are very rare,therefore he is asking big $$$$.Can a member shed some in site for me. Francis (1888)

[Kent S.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Yes, they are 1957 only (except FI) and would be worth serious $$ to someone restoring a Corvette. I think I see a '56 casting date on one of the pics so technically they would be for an early '57 but since that's hidden under the valve cover it would pass judging for any '57.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Are those valve sizes OE? I think it's possible to open them up to 1.84".

Mike McCagh is the guy to talk to about ...997 heads.

Duke

[Steven B.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Francis, are the single tower end pads ground smooth as in the picture or is the other rough as cast? Thanks, Steve

[Mike M.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Steve: are you implying that Tonawanda made single tower heads? wasn't aware such animals were made anywhere other than via flint much. regards, mike mccagh

[Mike M.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

kent: all the 283HP FI's used the triangle on rectangle heads BUT the 250HP FI 57 corvettes used the single tower head, like all the carb'd 57 283's put in 57 corvettes. mike

[Steven B.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Hi Mike! No, but I have seen some smooth and a couple rough. I had a rough one years ago. As I recall the rough one was a November '56 head.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Steve: rough sand cast on both ends of the nov 56 head you had years ago? mike

[Francis F.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

francis, are the single tower end pads ground smooth as in the picture or is the other rough as cast? Thanks, steve

[Steven B.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Yes Mike. The tower symbol had not been machined smooth.

[Francis F.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

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[Francis F.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Kent,two photos showing casting date ands bolt on head .does this help ?

[Kent S.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

kent: all the 283HP FI's used the triangle on rectangle heads BUT the 250HP FI 57 corvettes used the single tower head, like all the carb'd 57 283's put in 57 corvettes. mike

I knew that - should have been more clear in my answer. Thanks for the correction.

[Kent S.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are the Rare ?

Kent,two photos showing casting date ands bolt on head .does this help ?

Yeah - 1957 for sure.

[Ed H.]

Re: 1957 #997 HEADS are they Rare ?

Frances, 997 heads are very rare, while building my April 57, 270 hp it took me months to find a set. The cost back in 1999 was $ 400.00 for both. These were bare I had to find an 097 cam and kit. My source was Valley Head service they had it all. They are located in Los Angeles, a great source for all of the parts to build the heads and other cam related parts. Good luck, Ed.