So I have a set of used B1-BS heads that I'm going to run. They've been sitting on the shelf for a few years so I'll be taking them to a local performance engine builder to have them checked out.

Since they're going to be apart and on the bench I thought I'd ask the experienced head porters here if there are any known problem areas that I should (or have my engine builder) clean up, smooth out, port or whatever the case may be. Also, flip side are there spots that I should be sure to leave alone. I'll be leaving the ports alone, they're gasket matched already.

Thanks in advance for any advice, I'm looking forward to getting the old hotrod back on the road.

If there isn’t going to be any flow bench time allotted for those heads, my suggestion is make sure the guides and valve job are good..... springs are suitable for your cam....... and bolt them on.

That's exactly the plan. He has a flow bench so I'll talk it over with him. Reading up on these heads it seems they respond pretty well to some porting, I'll have to weigh the benefit:cost ratio after talking with him.

For informational purposes- they're going on a fresh stock rebuild 400 short block to drop in to my '65 Sport Fury street car. It has a Comp 270 in it now but I'm thinking I'll pull the Comp XE284 out of my 383 and put that in. 1 3/4 headers, 6 bbl intake, 2800 stall, 3.23 for the moment. If I have some extra cash when it comes time I'm thinking about one of the Comp HL cams.

Imo, for that application they’re already too big of a head.

I wouldn’t do anything to make the ports any bigger.

It I was doing your deal I would look at bigger headers, 1 7/8 or 2.0 with 3.5 collectors, and a 3.0 or bigger complete exhaust system with straight through muffs

B1-BS heads have an oddball spark plug location, IIRC, which makes header fitment "iffy" if you don't have the parts on hand to mock up first to ensure they'll work.

Yeah the ports already match the intake gasket so no reason to mess with it.

Steel shim HG and 65cc chambers should bump the CR up to 9:1 area, I'm a little concerned that the XE284 will make it a bit soft on the bottom, but the 270 is pretty low lift. Probably should spring for something in between, maybe the XE275HL. 231/237 .525 lift.

Cab- it has a 2 1/2" h-pipe setup on it now but I do have a set of 3" magnaflows that will be going on for 3" all the way out.

Brad- yeah I'm prepared for having to hack and slash my headers, from what I've read the low deck stuff has a tendency to fit better than the RB. One way to find out I suppose.

It's the plugs... moved inboard, but not angled... the worst of both worlds.

The plug changes. Oh, what a pain. TTI does make some headers specifically for the heads. The plugs are not just closer to the exhaust ports, the ports are raised slightly too. The headers made by TTI have 2-1/8" pipes which make it even more of a challenge to change plugs. I still had to ding some pipes, then turned down a socket on a lathe to get at a couple easier.

I thought that the ports were raised also.

Here's the deal, this is a "use the parts I have to get the car back up and running" type of operation. The ultimate goal is a fabricated twin turbo blow through setup. I own a metal fabrication shop and I specialize in stainless and aluminum TIG welding so the metal fab part isn't going to be a problem.

The car is going to need some other paint/interior/suspension attention after it gets running, so I'm looking to get it running good using mostly parts I already have on hand. Then I can drive it and go to local cruise nights while taking care of the rest as the budget allows.