VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1929 Head Value (Average Price Used)

In looking for a head for my 1929 Chevrolet 194ci block, I am wondering what was a good price to pay for one that is in GOOD Condition. assuming it has NO visual defects, cracks, etc...

Or what is the going rate for one, does not seem to be a lot of 1929 Head s out there !! Trying to Be Realistic and Practical.

A good price would be $50.....a realistic price would be $300.

Jerry, A guy up in my area is advertising engine parts for 29-31's. I send him a message and let you know what he says.

If the head has been magnafluxed and there are absolutely no cracks in the head, then due to their rarity, the going rate for 1929-1932 heads seems to be around $750. At $300 the price would be a steal. Unfortunately, good used heads are very hard to find and new old stock heads (if you can find one) are around $1,700 to $2000. I know, I know....but I have seen new old stock heads sell for that amount.

Chevgene
thanks for the chuckle this morning, i agree $50 would be Great

Chistech
sounds like a plan, let me know what you find out. This will be more of a spare I can restore back to ORIGINAL, since mine is a modified variation with more modern valves.

Junkyard Dog
sounds reasonable

I was inquiring because a guy had a 1929 head he was offering for $150 from the picts looks to be in great shape, and said all valves are free and not rusty. but has NOT been magnafluxed ! just debating IF it is worth the $150 to get and then magnaflux. If it is cracked then it may just be a boat anchor, if it can not be fixed

Bears Fan
I sent you a PM
John

Unfortunately, the 1929-32 cylinder heads are prone to cracking. At one time I had a zillion of them and each one turned out to be a boat anchor because of the cracks. Even the head with the least amount of cracks was beyond repair. All of them finally went to the dump.

The chances are that if a head is not on a block that it was removed because it was not in good condition. I think that it is much easier to find a complete engine and the chances of it having a good head are much better. A complete engine from a rod builder can sometimes be bought for $500.00 or less. Considering that you also get many other usable parts perhaps that might be a good alternative.

Hey JYD,
if a lot of 29-32 heads are cracked, what is the solution for finding/repairing one if you were to need one, is the 33 year or going forward, better and a good replacement?

Mac

Just keep looking and looking. The idea is to find one that is not cracked or if it is cracked then you have to determine if the head is repairable.

OK....Just asking in case i ever need one....

Mac

Talking with a guy in my area and he believes he has 29,30, and 31' heads. Are all three interchangeable or if not, which if any are? Trying to help Jerry out on his search. Guy claims to have a lot of stuff like blocks, trans, etc. No body parts. Also has a 30' roadster that he is going to "old school" hot rod! He's had it for 20yrs and not touched it yet but said if he sold it he would have to get a good amount of money for it.

Between 1929 and 1931 only two cylinder heads were used; the 1929 cylinder head and the 1930-31 cylinder head. Both the 1930 and the 1931 vehicles used the same cylinder head. The 1932 cylinder head was different than the 1929 and the 1930-31 cylinder heads. All three cylinder heads are interchangeable, but it is not a good idea to put a 1929 cylinder head on anything other than a 1929.

I have used cast iron stitching in the past with good luck. It is very difficult to weld cast iron so the cold stitching method was developed. As an example I had a high compression head repaired in the valve seat area successfully.
If interested do a internet search for "Cast Iron Stitching".
No I don't have any stock in the company

Thanks Dog. So if this guy has a 30' head, Bearsfan315 could use it without issue if he can't find a 29' correct?

It is not a 1930 head...it is a 1930-31 head. Yes, the 1930-31 head is definitely interchangeable.

Actually it can be a '30 head if the casting date is between August/September 1929 and August/September 1930. I know that is highly technical but some want as date correct as possible. Doggie you are correct that they will have the same casting number and are the same in construction.

Yes, that is true. However, folks need to be aware that the cylinder head is actually 1930-1931, especially if they are looking for a cylinder head for their 1930 and they are not aware that the 1931 cylinder head is one in the same. That way, if they disregard the casting date then their search can be expanded. For those that want the correct casting date, that is a different story as you pointed out, but finding a cylinder head with the correct casting date and one that is not cracked really limits the search for a cylinder head.

By the way, I have a 1930-31 cylinder head on my 1930 sport coupe and it had a casting date of 1931. It was the only non-cracked cylinder head that I could find. I changed the casting date to the correct year with no problem.

The guy with the parts just called me. He has a head with casting #'s of 836273. Can some one tell me what year head this is?

1930-1931 part number is/was 836275 according to my 29-55 parts book. The 29 head casting number is 835503.

so there's a good chance he mistook the 5 for a 3. He needs to get it out in the light better and give me a price. Not a 29 but a usable head for BearsFan if he wants it if indeed it's a 836275

Two casting numbers were used for the 1930-31 cylinder head: 836273 and 836275.

If he already has a good head on his 29 engine and this would be a spare I think looking for a 29 head would be best. Seeing as there is no immediate need why invest in an incorrect head, unless the price is REALLY good.

The casting and part numbers are not always the same. His "casting" number of 836273 is correct for the 836275 part number.