I bought a small block engine and at first I thought it had X heads on it. Now, after looking at the couple pics I took, the center exhaust port isn't configured like I normally see. So what did I get? If nothing else, I am going to pick it up next weekend, and I will be able to pull a valve cover and get a number

Not much to go by in those pics, and I haven’t too much in the way of the “-3” engines....... but I’m gonna guess that it’s something along those lines....... as in HD or MH.

Maybe a replacement Indy LA-X or MA-X head?

Dwayne are you referencing a truck or motorhome cylinder head?

I am........ or some sort of industrial head.

Like I said, I know there’s quite a few different ones, and I’ve hardly seen any of them.

The Indy heads have magnum looking ex ports(all also have dual bolt pattern I believe), along with the ends of the heads.

The x head ports I know look like this

Only pic I could find:

318-3

What the OP bought could easily be a Chrysler Marine engine too.
Those things used lots of unique parts.

I guess we have to wait for casting numbers and dates to get more clues!

Those heads don't look like anything cast in the 60's or 70's

They would be something aftermarket or asomething Mopar Performance

They look kind of like the Indy or RHS heads but not exactly. Here are some pictures from the Hughes website: http://www.hughesengines.com/TechArticles/8laxandmaxironsmallblockheads.php

Brian at IMM might know what they are. He knows most everything SB related. I've never seen anything like those heads before but everything I know about SB engines would fit on a matchbook cover.

I had a friend that showed me a set of heads like this. He told me they were early nascar heads. I guess the fore runner to the W-2 heads?

got it home. Here are the pics

more

Interesting. The rocker pedestals are flat like a race W2 head so you are going to need blocks. That can be done to a standard set of heads if you want to be able to optimize the rocker geometry. But the intake push rod looks like it is in the standard place and not offset. Did you get the rocker setup with it?

Looks like a rare find on those heads.
Pretty cool!

The only reference I see has them listed as “340 Trans Am”.
They do require the offset intake rockers.

Perhaps some sort of DC T/A performance or replacement head.

Looks like someone has already done a little bowl work.

After looking at the pics a little more....... the stands look “too tall” compared to the valve length, especially considering there would need to be blocks added on top of the stands.
If they are in fact some sort of pre-W2 style head..... they may also be intended to be used with longer valves, like the original W2’s.

Is the casting number a 3462598? If so that is the Trans Am head. I've never seen the Trans Am head so I didn't know the exhaust ports looked like that. I would imagine they are worth some money if those are original Trans Am heads.

Agree with fast, some sort of over the counter t/a replacement? Never seen them, it doesn’t look as offset as my race w2s sitting here. So I’m assuming it’s t/a offset rocker. The rocker stand uses blocks, like a long valve w2 tho. Interesting.....not original t/a chally or aar head

To me, the intake pushrod holes DO look offset because they are not tucked against the intake port where the "bump" is. Coincidentally, the cast number "304" is right under the 305 cubic inch limit of the Trans Am series!

What are the dates and casting numbers on the block? "TA" ? Webbing round the main caps? Crank/stroke?

Direct Connection pre-W-2 is a good theory because the exhaust ports are raised, like a W-2, just squarish rather than D=port.

Anybody know anyone who worked with Bob Mullin? (Spelling?)

Yea, them are real t/a race heads, maybe a bit modified. Ive a pic of a pallot of them being prepped IIRC by Keith Black, but not fully sure if that was the guy or who did it but the heads share a good resemblance.

Id not be shocked if you were to find a short stroke crank if the builder went that far. Im surprised some of you older guys didnt comment on the head bolt brand.

GReat score, please post more pics.

MR.Gasket head bolts ......So you know that build goes back a few.

Back in the 80's when Chrysler went broke the first time, they had to sell off a lot of performance stuff. Herb McCandless bought a bunch of it. I bought a stress relieved 340 block and a set of 340 heads, they looked a lot like those pictured. They had the pedestals milled off, 11/32 long stem valves. They had a tag on them noting a few hours dyno time. McCandless said they were developmental stuff Chrysler was doing. The casting numbers checked out to be a T/A head. I had a hard time back then getting the valve gear set up. I remember McCandless giving me Richard Petty's phone number and he told me what to buy to make it all work.