502 heads onto 454?

[*rayman*]

Will 502 heads go on to a 454 block ok? I thought this might be a cheap way to upgrade from my oval port heads i currently have. These are obviously a squre/rectangle port head on the 502, so i would require a new inlet manifold. Will i see a significant gain by using these heads? or should i not bother and go with an aluminium edelbrock or afr head?

I can get a very low k/m pair of 502 heads for $650, as opposed to $3000 for aluminiums.

I know the 502 have a taller deck height on the block, but will the heads match up to the 454? I plan on running an F1-R procharger setup down the track, with a mild street application.

Thanks guys.

[Vegas69]

GM 502 heads are stock exhaust port height. Aluminum or steel. When you go to a dart or afr that is when you run inot exhaust port height problems. A new set of headers will fix you right up in that case. The generation of your 454 could have an impact on the 502 heads fitting. Most gen 6 454 and 502 parts seem to interchange.

[yellowrallys]

I'm not aware of the 502 having a taller deck, only the 572 and the truck blocks, as well as some a/m race blocks.

[*rayman*]

I'm pretty sure mine is an earlier type 454. I have the timing cover off at the moment, so the numbers there will help identify it won't they?

I want to stick with a standard exhaust port height, as my car has been converted to RHD, and trying to find extractors to fit it is a mission. I have a brand new pair of extractors already and they match up fine to the exisiting 454 heads. I was just thinking the 502 heads would be hardened valves etc already, and make it a little kinder to unleaded fuel.

[Vegas69]

Then you need to find out what year 454 you have and if you can swap the heads. Stock height deck and ports is what you will have in either case.