Corvette Forums - Corvette Enthusiast Site

Corvette C4 Forum 1984 through 1996

Cast Iron?? Aluminum??

   
Old Oct 18, 2006 | 09:08 AM
Share
  #1  
mypetu39's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131
From:
Default Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
How can one tell if the heads on a Vette engine are aluminum, or cast iron? Probably is contained in the information provided by the VIN, is it?

mypetu39
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2006 | 09:59 AM
Share
  #2  
mech259's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,858
From: Lumberton, Texas
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
Scratch the head with a screwdriver or use a magnet. Most aluminum heads have center bolt valve covers where steel have edge bolts. [8D]
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2006 | 01:23 PM
Share
  #3  
All2kool's Avatar
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 97
From:
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
ORIGINAL: mech259

Scratch the head with a screwdriver or use a magnet. Most aluminum heads have center bolt valve covers where steel have edge bolts. [8D]
Uh...and the easier way? Early '86 had Cast Iron, later '86 and on had Aluminum. Visual inspection should be fine, scratching the heads or employing a magnet isn't necessary.

Aluminum Head


Cast Iron Head

 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2006 | 01:26 PM
Share
  #4  
All2kool's Avatar
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 97
From:
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
Hope this makes it easier for you.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2006 | 12:38 AM
Share
  #5  
mech259's Avatar
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,858
From: Lumberton, Texas
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
And as I said, Aluminum heads have center bolt valve covers, steel have rim bolt.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:23 AM
Share
  #6  
mypetu39's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 131
From:
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
Thank you, gentlemen, I have just learned something new about my Vette. Great guys on here !!!!!!!

mypetu39
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2006 | 12:05 PM
Share
  #7  
thespannerboys's Avatar
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 97
From:
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
so for cast iron heads can any small block chevy covers be used?
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2006 | 07:11 PM
Share
  #8  
raisinbran's Avatar
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 406
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
yea as long as they have the same bolt patterns.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2006 | 08:02 PM
Share
  #9  
All2kool's Avatar
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 97
From:
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
ORIGINAL: raisinbran

yea as long as they have the same bolt patterns.
Well...and they need to clear the internals, i.e. the lifters.
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2006 | 12:55 AM
Share
  #10  
thespannerboys's Avatar
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 97
From:
Default RE: Cast Iron?? Aluminum??
groovy, thanks!
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Advanced Search

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:42 AM.