I have a Mercruiser 350 block number 14010207 with a cracked head. The head is a 882. I have a opportunity to get a set of 217 heads for a good price. Will they work. I know I will lose some ccs and I'm good with it I just want to get back on the water.

why not get some 062 or 906 Vortec heads? They perform very well and add about 30 HP. Years ago I installed a pair on my 260 mercruiser, along with a small Comp flat tappet cam (212 / 218), an Edelbrock intake for the vortec heads and some roller rockers and the boat went from 51 - 60 mph. I used old Z28 valve springs and just used the outer springs, so no machine work was required on the heads. I forgot but the cc's were less than the stock heads so it raised the compression a bit higher (I think from 8.5 to 9.25 if I still remember correctly. I ran mid grade 89 in it, with about 30 - 32 degrees total timing and no issues.

Oh so many options many much better than oem merc. Vortec would be a nice bump and could be gotten cheap and a mild port would improve them substantially.

check out afr (they have a link to white performance that has some sbc marine builds).
https://whiteperformance.com
trickflow, skipwhite and many others have lots of data available.

just be cautious about the trade offs of torque vs hp on your boat’s performance, as well as the relationship of combustion chamber size vs compression.

The 217 heads use centerbolt valve covers and the 4 middle intake bolts are at different angles then the outer 8. Your 882 heads have perimeter hold down bolt valve covers and all intake hold down bolts are at same angle.

Check in with Brezinski for cast iron heads
Brzezinski Racing Products | Cylinder heads & Intake manifolds (castheads.com)

What ?

Guys…..
Reading thee opening post, it looks like He’s looking for cheap, possibly, used pair of replacement heads.

Sorry I have a bad case of.....whileitsapartdisease.....the struggle is real
But you do need to be careful of valve seat cracking on used vortecs, Brezinski has a good video on it

Vortec heads, vortec compatible intake, rail-type rockers arms, center-bolt valve covers. Set total timing at 32. Send it. Will run well.

217s are based on the TPI head and have the intake bolt angles switched in the centers to work with the TPI intake and you’ll need to remedy this on your intake. 64cc for an increase in compression, non-swirl.

If you’ve already got them and they’re good to go, I’d use them. If you’re purchasing rebuilds or something questionable, I’d check on going the Vortec route.

882 head is just your basic 350 head used in literally millions of Chevy cars and trucks. Shouldnt be a big problem finding a good used one to rebuild and install.

The 217 heads are later model and will require different valve covers and other possible issues fitting.

Where are you located ? I might have a decent 882 head or maybe a pair.

if you are running a tru vortec setup we never exceed 26 degrees timing vortecs need less than the older setup