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Keith black bare hemi heads

Posted By: toplescuda

Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/06/23 11:24 AM

I have a pair of keith black bare hemi heads for hemi
They have never been finished matching. No valves or anything
I bought them long time ago
I thought at time someone made a comment they were half where heads
I can you tell? What do I need to look for.
Would they be OK on a blown 572 motor on the street.
What would the cost be to have the pair finished ready to bolt on block and run minis the rocker assembly?
I already have new pair of indy hips heads. But someone was asking about these so I don't know value of the kb heads
Or if I even want to sell them
They are a cast head currently as mock up on my motor
Yes I know can't tell much from the pics lol

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Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/06/23 01:33 PM

There are many different configurations. D-port exhaust, rectangle exhaust, 10 bolt intake, etc. There may not be enough water in them for the street. More photos would be needed. I would be interested in
buying them. You can call me or text photos to 501-519-7425 or email rick@rickseeman.com
Posted By: toplescuda

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/06/23 03:01 PM

Is there anything special to look at?pic of?
Not really trying to sell them. But have no ideal how to tell difference in a full water/half water head
I haven't even found any info on a keith black head at all to do research
Much less value
Posted By: W.I.N. Racing

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/06/23 03:06 PM

There are so many (more than likely better) heads available now and considering the cost of machining services, unless they are something special and you had the capability of doing your own machining they are serving their best use now...mock up heads. Part numbers and pics would help
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/06/23 03:26 PM

I don't know how to tell a 1/2 water head. If it has all the normal water passages that would be good. If not I wouldn't try to use them. I have one now that I use for a mock up but I would like to have a pair. Mine appears to have normal water jackets. 1/2" head bolts and o-rings for top fuel. They might all have the same casting number. Mine is P4120711. If you can text me photos that would be great.
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/06/23 05:14 PM

The KB heads will have the steam holes in the wrong place for using on regular blocks. The real problem is brand new Edelbrock heads (that I'm sure flow much better) are only a little over $3,000 a pair, new and complete. Are yours D-port exhaust or rectangle part? Are the intake bolts the normal 16 bolt or 10 bolt?
Posted By: toplescuda

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 01:20 AM

Went over to shop pulled a head off
So now....what can tell me about them.
And value as is.. .no they are NOT for sale

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Posted By: toplescuda

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 01:24 AM

...
Again they are not for sale. I'm just trying research them and gather as much info on them as possible
Yes I know it will cost a good amount to have them ready to go down the road. But no hard Numb3rs of what $$$$ that would be(not counting rocker assembly)

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Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 02:09 AM

Google P4120711
Posted By: W.I.N. Racing

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 02:10 AM

My guess based on parts cost is you will have at least $3000 in parts and labor.(assuming all parts are new and good quality)
Guides - $25 ea
seats - $20 ea
SS valves - $50ea
retainers $270
Locks - $60
Springs $600
Thats just the parts no labor.
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 04:18 AM

Originally Posted by toplescuda
Went over to shop pulled a head off
So now....what can tell me about them.
And value as is.. .no they are NOT for sale

It appears they have some water but I don't know how to tell a 1/2 water head. They look like KB heads as originally designed from the late 70's. 16 bolt intake and D-port exhaust. Later they also made them with 10 bolt intake. Mine has rectangle exhaust. I assume later they made some solid. And probably other variations also. I like 'em. But wow what a project. They don't even have the steel inserts for the head bolts or the head stud inserts. I don't know where to get those inserts for the head bolts but hopefully they are something standard. You asked about value. There's probably some fruitcake like me that would give $2,000 just because he likes 'em. But I can tell you the last time I sent a head like that to the shop for work the bill was shocking. Positively shocking. Thanks for sharing them with us. I think that's all I know about them.
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 05:31 AM

Of course there's no headers available for those either so you would have to make your own. I assume that is a standard D-4/D-6 port and bolt arrangement. They used to sell exhaust gaskets for those but I haven't seen any in forever. Those water passages are so small the guy that told you they were 1/2 water heads might have been correct. Especially since KB was a Top Fuel shop. They might have been made that way for strength. In the mid 70's the supply of aluminum hemi heads was drying up. The Ross Foundry heads, aka 433 heads, aka replacement heads, aka twin plug heads were the only thing they had. I don't know if Chrysler even had any left. The D-6 castings were so bad I never saw one on a Top Fuel car. All of Chryslers R&D at the time was based around the D-6 port head. And I don't know if they even used them. I think all their R&D heads were 433's turned in to D-6's by Mullins. I think Chrysler knew they needed new heads and I'm sure KB knew he needed new and stronger heads for his engines. At the time Chrysler and KB were in bed together. All 426 Hemi R&D at this time was done at KB's. KB knew the D-4/D-6 port looked the best so he got the patterns from Chrysler and the KB head was born. Still the best looking 426 Hemi ports. I have no idea what the idea of the rectangle port like mine is about.
Posted By: toplescuda

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 10:59 AM

Well they came with a hemi package I had bought
Really my only concern is weather or not they would live on a blown(14-71) pump gas application
Reason for the 14-71....it's what's on hand and also can slow blower speed down and keep it under 10 pounds boost

Will never be in a drag car as long as own it. Just a fun stab n steer street car
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 12:05 PM

They will surely handle that. The problem is the cooling. There appears to be almost no water flow. When I get home today I’ll look at mine and see if they are any different.
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 06:29 PM

Ok, it appears you and I have gotten the education we were looking for over the past 2 days. The gentleman that called yours 1/2 water heads I would say is correct. There's just not much room for water to flow thru those tiny holes. Mine has what appears to be normal water jackets except they don't have the steam holes across the bottom. Without the freeze plugs in the end you can look right thru them and the water passages are large. And the upper water passage is large also. Based on what we know now I don't think you would want to use your heads on an application that was going to run for more than a few minutes. I love KB and it's been a pleasure working with you on this. For some reason my photos won't attach. I'll shut down and try again.
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/07/23 07:05 PM

try again

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Posted By: mr_340

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/09/23 09:09 PM

Mine look like the ones that Rick has. Ten bolt intake, rectangular port exhaust, raised floor exit.

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Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/10/23 01:24 AM

If you decide you want to sell those I'd be interested. I'm kinda limited on what I can do with one.
Posted By: 90%

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/12/23 08:34 PM

In the end of each head is a machined hole for a freeze plug, put you finger in the hole, then try to bend it toward the deck surface, if you can they are full water jacket heads. 1/2 water jacket heads have aluminum poured to the bottom of that machined freeze plug hole.
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/12/23 09:56 PM

If I stick my finger in mine I can touch the back side of the combustion chamber.
Posted By: 90%

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/13/23 12:17 AM

if you cant bend your finger, they are 1/2 water jackets. Hi Rick this is Tom Hynd
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/13/23 02:00 PM

WOW Tom it's so good to hear from you. They told me you went to the Carolinas some where. Call me sometime, I would love to chat with you. I was watching you in a video the other day honing. I have a Sunnen now and it was fun learning. 501-519-7425 cell
Posted By: toplescuda

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/13/23 02:53 PM

I just checked mine. I can't bend finger down toward deck so guiess it's a half water head
Posted By: rickseeman

Re: Keith black bare hemi heads - 05/13/23 03:52 PM

Yes, as we suspected. At least we got an education this week.
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