Head identification

[Onexl85]

Boat has a merc 5.7
The valve covers won't stop leaking oil. I have tried everything. My marina says they are performance heads. But they didn't know the brand. Can someone i d them so I can buy the proper valve covers

The heads have a plate welded in that reads
14120183

 

[Bt Doctur]

Chevy`s only come in 2 types ,4 center bolts or 4 perimeter bolts

 

[Scott Danforth]

most likely your valve covers are bent from over tightening. however as BtDoctur indicated, perimeter or center are the only two choices on an SBC. 1985 and earlier are perimeter, 1986 and later are center

you may want to check that casting number again. 14102193 is a valid casting number so is 14102188 , 14120183 is not

FWIW 14102193 is a 65cc TBI head from 1987-1995, 14102188 is an 1988-1993 GM truck head with 65cc

not one thing performance about them....literally, not one thing. exact head found in trucks, cars, boats. about as common a cylinder head that you can get between 1987 and 1995

 

[Bt Doctur]

if the are perimeter and are protruding , get a punch and flatten them back out. Use retainer plates in addition to the bolts.

 

[flipbro]

That number comes up as 305 tbi head 58 cc.

 

[Onexl85]

Does that mean they are the wrong head?

 

[flipbro]

Onexl85 I misread the number. That number you gave doesn't exist. Pull the valve cover look 4 the number cast in the head I suspect it will be 14102193

 

[Onexl85]

Could I email you a photo of the casting? It won't load to the forum

 

[Onexl85]

No Title

 

[flipbro]

Hmm mabe someone else could help. I can't find a sbc head with that casting. Is that the only number?

 

[flipbro]

Mabe take some pics of the hole head top bottom and front. I found an old article on a hotrod sit. He had the same casting numbers as you and know one seamed to have answers for him other then it's a marine head..

 

[Onexl85]

No Title

 

[NHGuy]

I just ordered some steel core gaskets to avoid that very thing for the Dart heads I am putting on my engine. The core retains the rectangle shape so you can get the covers on straight. Though if you have oe covers there may be an inner and outer rail to guide the gasket. It's still a pain in the derrierre though.
I bought some cool looking valve covers that have no inner rail so I had to get steel cored rubber gaskets.
Here is the part info https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-1648

 

[NHGuy]

BTW I just looked again, I'd bet a nickel that those are 193 (TBI) heads. Very common in the 80's & 90's 5.7 Mercruisers.

 

[Onexl85]

What are Tbi heads? I've done a bit of searching but most conversation compares them to vortex heads. I looked again... I'm pretty sure the last numbers are 183

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... The Tbi or fuelie heads were used from 'bout '86 to '96 on Chevy motors,....

The Vortec came out in '96, #'ed 062 or 906, 'n have a different intake bolt pattern, 8 bolts, not 12,....

 

[Onexl85]

Ok, I thought tbi was a brand. Is it bad that these heads are on my engine?

 

[flipbro]

No. They are a good STOCK head for a boat. The vortec Bondo spock of are the better head 062 or 906.

 

[Onexl85]

Gotcha,
I guess I'm gonna wind up buying valve covers without the inner Channel and steel core gaskets

 

[Bondo]

I guess I'm gonna wind up buying valve covers without the inner Channel

Ayuh,.... Unless it's cracked, the cover oughta be tunable with a hammer to straighten it, so's it stops leakin',.....