Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

[Will B.]

Just noticed they are B 7 1 and B 18 1.

When I was finishing college after returning from the Party in the jungle (TET '68), I worked in a speed shop and collected lots of parts.

I'm still trying to reunite the 64 and 65 fuelie units with their original cars. I will be soon buying all the 61 and 62 C1 info that is available to study but for now, can anyone tell me if the 461 heads were ever used on the 315fi 61 283?

Man, am I glad I didn't throw away all those stupid AFBs when the Holleys went on some of the engines!

Thanks - Willy

[John F.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

According to the Corvette Black Book they were used from 61-66.

[Will B.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

The humps are flat on the top, not round like the later camel humps?

[Mike M.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

flip them over and you'll find an X embossed thereon. they are 461X heads, used on 61 315 hp vette based on the casting dates you supplied. they are purported to flow as good as or better than any other 283 ci heads, and some 327 heads. mike

[Clem Z.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

if i remember correctly the "X" is inside the water jacket visible on the head gasket side. before NHRA allowed porting of heads in certain classes these heads with larger intake port volume were bringing big bucks but no longer

[Will B.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

WHEW!! Read about a dozen posts on the 461X heads yesterday after I posted this thread.

The heads have the 'straight' valve cover rail, as do my other sets of 461x heads. The 461 and 462 heads I have do have the 'lump' around the valve cover bolt holes.

[Tom P.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

For the 1961 year model (year of introduction), the 461X heads were only installed on the 315hp/283 FI engine.
The 461X heads were used 61-63 and only had 1.94/1.5 valves. For 62-63, they were used on the 300-340-360hp/327.
In 64-66, the 461 (no X) was used on 300-350-365-375hp/327 engines. The 300hp engines got 1.94/1.5 valves, the rest got 2.02/1.6 valves.

Here's the X location on 461X heads.




Here is a stock 461X chamber.


Here is a 461X chamber after being opened up for 2.02/1.6 valves and having the relief cut around the chamber wall adjacent to the intake valve (the factory did the relief on heads that got 2.02 valves).

[Clem Z.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

For the 1961 year model (year of introduction), the 461X heads were only installed on the 315hp/283 FI engine.
The 461X heads were used 61-63 and only had 1.94/1.5 valves. For 62-63, they were used on the 300-340-360hp/327.
In 64-66, the 461 (no X) was used on 300-350-365-375hp/327 engines. The 300hp engines got 1.94/1.5 valves, the rest got 2.02/1.6 valves.

Here's the X location on 461X heads.




Here is a stock 461X chamber.


Here is a 461X chamber after being opened up for 2.02/1.6 valves and having the relief cut around the chamber wall adjacent to the intake valve (the factory did the relief on heads that got 2.02 valves).

what i remember was that the "X" was down inside the "D" shaped opening in the water jacket right over top of intake ports on the head gasket side. i could be wrong because it has been a long long .

[John D.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

Clem, Look at Tom's left pencil. You can tell Parson's is old school. He sharpens his pencil with a knife.
Great Pics Tom. The 61 and early 62 491 heads don't have the usual camel hump as someone mentioned here. The top of the hump is flat. Very rare and valuable heads so they are. JD

[Will B.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

So Clem, it looks like your trash from 2007 is still in your wastebasket? (smile)

I'm still in the middle of tracking down some parts for one of the '61s. A railroader who spent time in the Binghamton area of NY in the 1960s has some info I'm checking out.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

Clem, Look at Tom's left pencil. You can tell Parson's is old school. He sharpens his pencil with a knife.
Great Pics Tom. The 61 and early 62 491 heads don't have the usual camel hump as someone mentioned here. The top of the hump is flat. Very rare and valuable heads so they are. JD

the "X" was cast into the water jacket not stamped. a lot of fake heads were stamped with a "X" when they were selling for big bucks

[Kenneth F.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

Will, The 461X heads you asked about have the same numbers and letter locations as pictured in this thread The underside of the other water passage on the opposite end of the head, has a 61. The aluminum intake manifold that came with these heads, I seem to think has the 1962 casting numbers, and an October 62 date on the underside of the casting. I could check this, if you need the info. I believe the person I bought these parts from said the engine was sold new over the counter as a long block with intake manifold. He had thrown the shortblock away after it threw a connecting rod.
I had a June 1961, 283 short block. The heads, that came with that engine, were not for sale, had the humps with the flattened peak, I see mentioned in this thread. The seller was the original purchaser who said he purchased the engine over the counter from Chevrolet.

Ken

[Will B.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

Kenneth, how would the parts you had score at Bloomington? Only the original block and original heads get max points? Even though the replacement parts were put on years ago? I have an engine that needs a sleeve.....

[Kenneth F.]

Re: Some 461X heads in my parts pile...

Will, I do not know what the judges would do with a replacement engine block. If it has the I.D. pad stamped, this would have to be re- surfaced, properly with the same type machine used when the car was originally built, and properly re-stamped. If an over the counter engine could be found, the pad is blank. To find one with the correct date and in useable condition would take some luck. The heads with the correct dates and casting numbers should be fine for judging. I would talk with people who have had engines recently judged.
I would think a competent shop could re-sleeve.
Ken