540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

I see all these deals now for LARGE short blocks(540-572-598)
and am wondering if I could use my old Hi-perf Chevy heads and have a cheap combo or will I need aftermarkt heads to get the best out of this block? OK, I know the aftermarket heads will do better,, but since everyone says the Chevy heads are to big for a boat seems like they'd be a good choice for a BIGGER motor. Whaddaya'll think? $3900 for the bottom,free for the top and 550HP??

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

Sure. Rect port Chevys will work dandy on a 540.
Bulldogs made 500 horses with a pretty mild cam.
If 550 horses is your goal, rectangle ports will get you there quick cheap and easy.

Pocket port. A little bowl work. Gasket match. Deck them for flatness. CC them. You're there.

If you're going to spend the money and effort on a REAL motor (572+ tall block) then I hate to see you choke yourself with stock iron Chevy heads. They aren't junk, but aftermarket heads free up so much more power..

But a 540 with rectangle heads? Nothing wrong with that.

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

Thanks MC,
So at 5,200 or so the Rect. ports would choke it? How much would I be losing?

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

What do yall think about the deal on ebay for 572 short block unassambled $3299.00 and assembled & balanced for $3999.00 sure makes me think???

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

Link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33620

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

cools, Ives seen a local guy use ported chevy iron castings on a 598 with a solid roller cam and it made 780 HP and 800 ft lbs. on the dyno. In fact it went 98 mph in my hull before I bought it. You might be leaving a 100 hp laying in the big alum heads but what the heck, you will do that someday anyway! Greg

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

If I do it I would want it unassembled where I can take it all to the machine shop and build the engine myself!!. I called them and they are pricing it with 9.5/1 compression.

They also have good prices on AFR heads???

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

I have a couple of Crane 651 hyd. roller cams. They would be perfect for engines like that.

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

Would yall build the 540 or 572??? what would be the pros and cons???

Re: 540-598 with Chevy Rect port heads?
 

If you build tall decks, you'll have issues with making the exhaust fit. Some manifolds have so little clearence between them that you'll end up changing to a whole new exhaust. On a single, the pipes still won't line up at the transom.