Old Merlin Oval Ports?

[cartwright454]

Does anyone know if World/ Merlin produced a bigger oval port cast head? I picked up a 468 BBC that has a set of Merlin ovals that are un-ported and have quite a bit bigger ports than a gm 049. the port is bigger than the ovals Merlin makes now. Unfortunately has been freshened and is now in my 67 camaro street/strip car but i did not get any pics.

Thanks
Billy C

[Splitter]

Off the top of my head, I think the Merlin heads were 269cc whereas the 049 is around 255cc?
That was 20 years ago, don't know if the Merlin heads have changed since then.

[mag2555]

Yes, in regards to those older Merlin's they where 269CC.

[cartwright454]

I have had a few high 10 second street cars and a low 8 second altered but this combo should not be making as much power as I think it is producing. we will see next weekend.

Thanks for the info
Billy C

[ZEOHSIX]

I have had a few high 10 second street cars and a low 8 second altered but this combo should not be making as much power as I think it is producing. we will see next weekend.

Thanks for the info
Billy C

Merge collectors on that combo?

[Ron Miller]

When World/Merlin first produced their cast iron oval port head, it was a 290 cc intake port. I personally $old a few sets back in the mid 80"s when I worked for Ramchargers. I built a 461 Jet Boat combo for a friend that used that same head.

[cartwright454]

I think the casing date was 8 and the intake port shape looks completely different than any pictures I have found.

[cartwright454]

Casting date was 87.

[cartwright454]

No merge collectors. Hooker comp.

[cartwright454]

update,

with full exhaust and street tires( 3,505#) 1st pass 11.59@115, 2nd pass took off air cleaner thinking it would get more cool air from the cowl hood it went 11.62@114, 3rd put air cleaner back on and it went 11.58@115. i wish i had more time to do some tuning but there was a ton of cars and a bunch of oil downs.

[Adger Smith]

You said that yours had ports that looked different. As I remember the first few runs had a square ex port. The changes took place when the Ex went to a D shaped with the round top. The intake runner was built with a flatter port than the stock heads. I think that was when the intake runner vol got smaller. (change in Ex) I did several sets of the first runs and they were real good. I did not do any of the new as a direct comparison.

[cartwright454]

Yes. The exhaust ports are square not D shaped. I know these are old and out dated but I am very happy with my $1000 purchase for the whole long block 468. (open,inspect,throw in comp cam 294/.595, race it).

[Adger Smith]

They may be old and what you call out of date, but in most ways they are better than the new series head. I found they will make more power in larger BBC.

[cartwright454]

I want to thank you for the info. Most of the time when I try and get some info on my low budget builds I get the usual comment to get rid of them and get new.

I am very impressed with them. I have not doubt with more stall(2500 now), open headers and some tuning it will run high 10's. (on pump gas). with the 3.70 gears and 28" tires it runs down the road well.

Thanks
Bill