1961 390 head Trouble

[hotrodln]

so the head on my 61 was cracked. i bought a used engine  today and took the right head off. the casting number was 1485240...the cracked one started with 147. they look the same.....does anybody know what the difference is? the 158 on may be off a commercial chassis. i think it came out of a hearse....thanks for any advice. Pat

[M. Bankes]

Hi,
I'm pretty sure that casting number is for a '67 429 motor, I've never heard those heads where interchangeable though,
Michael

[cadillac ken]

FWIW the right side part numbers are usually the even numbered parts and the left are odd numbered parts.  Not sure if this applies here since the odd / even thing usually is the last digits not the first.

[hotrodln]

ok here's a shot of the numbers on the head. the fourth number looks like a 6 in the picture, but in person it looked like a 5.....it's definitely off a 390. the 390 was in a hearse.

[Jason Edge]

Casting #'s often changed over the years even if the part was interchangeable. All of the 1963 390 heads I have pulled have had casting #1479831.  They use the same casting # for left and right. Holes were punched out for the front water outlet pipe after they were cast. According to 1965 Master Parts Book, 1958 to 1963 cylinder heads are interchangeable. (See Attachment)
 
I would just make sure this engine was sourced from that year range.  I had a note that the 1485240 was for a later 429... but have a big question mark beside it, so I am not sure about that casting #. I am sure about the 1963 and 1964 Casting #'s. The 1963 390, and 1964 429 and later engine blocks and externals are considerably different from the 1962 and prior engines. Just for reference all 40 of the 1964 429 engines I have pulled (80 heads) plus a few on driver cars, had casting # 1481395. The are of course different from the 1958 to 1963 heads.

[hotrodln]

OK thanks for that info. I will see if i can find the ENGINE number. should be on the left side bottom  left side of the block....under the oil crud....this engine was from a hearse so i was wondering if they put bigger valves in it or something like that.....

[hotrodln]

here's another clue- the head that i just took off with the 148 number uses the same exhaust manifold as my original 390...i'm wondering if it was a replacement head if it would have a different casting number?  this is certainly not a 427

[dn010]

Old thread, but this person also says 429.
https://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=84382.0

At this point, why not compare it to your cracked head to note the differences, if any?

[hotrodln]

I keep checking it and I can't see any differences...so it's going to the machine shop tonight  for an overhaul and  I'll let the machinist also check it out.

[Clewisiii]

I had a question on a 390 head that had different casting numbers. There was no difference in holes I could find. The valve cover fit a little differently.  Looking at the top side there was a difference in the casting.  Look at the surface the valve cover fits to. Then follow all the way around.

[Caddyholic]

They changed the casting in 62 to use 63 and up valve covers that are more rounded on the top. But they use 61 style valve covers in 62.