I'd love to have a set of RA IIs if anyone knows of a set for sale
96s

Thanks,
-mark-

Mark,

A few questions/comments all of which you may know since you have a Pontiac background: Love or need? They can be pricey. Are you looking for a date coded set for a RA II car or will service replacements do(NOM, clone)? Round port Long Branch manifolds are hard to come by so if looking for a stock/numbers matching Firebird not even repops are available. Actually, easier to find the heads than the exhaust manifolds in my experience. Are you looking for a code correct carb, auto/manual?

Send me a PM. I may be able to help you out depending upon your needs noted above.

Brian

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the reply
As you stated, yes, I do not need them.
Gee, had a set in the mid 80s but chased a set of IVs (614s) and sold them early 90s.
So, I was thinking about adding them on this little 698 Bird I just picked up.
But: As you stated, very pricey
PS: My Private Message is disabled...

RAII heads typically fetch $3000-4500 depending on condition, hardware and completeness. The RAII Firebird exhaust manifolds $1500-2500.

For half that, you could get a set of ported 72 CC E Heads and some nice Headman or Thorley's, new cam, lifters and rockers...and IMO have better performance.

Holy cow Banshee. What are the markings on those heads? just incase I stumble across some it would be nice to know what I looking at.

Bill V

Yes, but would it look stock?

Banshee's pricing is good. I've got what I consider a pseudo system. Ram Air pans, etc. from Warpath, Service replacement heads, re-pop round port long branch exhaust manifolds from Ram Air Restorations, and a code correct carb that I picked up from Cliff Ruggles last year that isn't on the car yet. Did manage to find the correct 4 blade fan a few months ago.

I picked up most of this stuff mid-to late in my build so the engine really isn't setup for it(9.5 compression, Comp Cams cam). It is easy to tell my car wasn't a real II car as it has an 03C build date.

After thinking about it this weekend, I'm likely going to finish off the Ram Air II cloning(need to go transverse muffler, find a distributor and have a incorrect PQ tranny rebuilt) and show up at the FAST or Pure Stock drags this summer.

Long story short, I do know someone with a set of heads that they aren't using, I can inquire if they are available.

Don't know about that
My factory iron headed 455 has 2 local edelbrock headed solid role cam cars beat.

Too bad you are not local...Because you'd be 2 and 1.

With a pump gas 400 or 455?

E headed 455.

I have had both RAII heads on a 400 and 72 HO 455 heads on a 455 (comparable flow ratios adjusted for displacement).

I do agree that iron is better if the heads are done right and complete and you do not have to spend $$$ on correcting someone else's "work" as RA II heads, over 45 years, typically have issues. If they don't, they are $4000 plus..just for heads.

All things being equal, would I rather have iron or aluminum? If I don't have a RA II car, aluminum. If I don't have a RA II car and want to race in a class, RAII heads. If I want a performance gain, heads ported from Butler...with warranty...E Heads all day. A lot more flexibility with E heads.

You can buy a set of E Heads, ready to bolt on from Butler that will match the performance of RA II heads at half the price, all in. Heck, I even saw a set on a Firebird at the Nationals 3 or 4 years ago that had E heads that were modified to look like round port heads. I had to look twice.

Being said, Yes, I am a purist...but as a purist, I have limitations.

I hear ya on that

There is a nos set for sale on the performance years site.

Yes, but only listed in the Pontiac A-body section.

Isn't that the same head ?

Yes FB's and GTO's used the same heads.

Yes, my intention was to make it clear they were not listed in the FB section for some reason. As Region Warrior noted they are the same for both cars. I am curious if they are Service Replacements given that they are listed as NOS in box. Perhaps they were made during the '68 runs and intended to be sold through the parts counter rather than being from the Jan. '69 run.

NOS means new replacement parts to most people.
But beware, to others it don't.
They where available from GM till mid 70's if remember correct.

Trivia info.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=ch...g+to+auto+parts

All good points...
Yup, too much money right now with all of my current projects especially the new 1969 AMC SC/Rambler I just picked up from Illinois.

Perhaps I will get a set someday, but thanks for the info.

-I remember the butler's when they first started out, years ago.
they always had an ad: D-port that will flow better than RA IVs
Yup, all good stuff.
I was "teethed" by Poncho Guru Jim Hilliard from Donnelsville Ohio, 1984-1994 and Mike McKinney, Indiana

Did Jim Hilliard have a son named David/Dave?

Yes sir,
I remember Dave when he was young.
A "Very Good Guy"
Morally upstanding, quiet, polite, respectful.
I purchased a Red 67 HO 4-speed GTO from Jim in 1986
Jim built a 67 GTO car and it had Ram Air IVs and a 455 bored and was running low 12s at Norwalk.
Dave was doing the driving by the time I left Wright-Patterson AFB, 1994

Interesting note: Jim had a 62 Pontiac Catalina 389 Trophy 4-speed and he raced it as a young guy.
When I left Dayton area, Jim and Dave were just starting to restore that 62 Catalina.

Right before I left, in 1994 I almost purchased Dave's 1972 Trans-Am 4-speed (White, HO car)
(1972-The Norwood Ohio strike year.)
I'm so stupid!
KICK ME!!!

I met him a few months ago. He had gotten out of the business and was working at a local manufacturing company. I picked up a set of '68 #16 heads from him.

Oh, good, I have been wondering how he is doing.
I used to send them Christmas cards annually.
I'm thinking Mr. Jim Hilliard is getting quite old now.

-oops;
Correction, Dave's 72 HO Trans-AM (7F6) was the blue with the white stripes.

-Are you in the Dayton/Springfield area?

-PS: I called on the RAII heads (NOS, in box) and spoke with the gentleman (NY State)
More to come:
mark.

I used to live on the north side of Cincinnati in West Chester. Went to Trans Am Nationals every year as well as the Beaver Creek Popcorn Festival with my car. I miss all the Midwest car shows, but not the winters. The shop that did both my Pontiacs is in Mason and the heads were for one of the cars.

Hope there was room for negotiation on those heads. As I mentioned before, stock/repop manifolds are hard to find. Are you going that route or headers if you get them?

I'd love to have a 70-72 Lucerne blue Trans Am. Really the only second gens I would consider.

Hi!
Gee, I miss that entire area!
I'm at Edwards AFB in So Cal but it is in the dry and hot Mojave desert.
No trees, no water...no rust LOL

My bud's Mom lived in Norwood and I'd see the West Chester and Old west Chester sign often on the I-75 south.
-Gee, he said $4,500 and I had a hard time swallowing to answer him.
Yes, I spent $5K for a set of 426 Hemi heads for the Superbee but I'd only like to pay around $1,500 to $2,000 for a set of 96s.
I suppose the Provenance of being NEW in a BOX for the past 47 years has a lot to do with it.
His name is Matt and he lives in NY
I wonder if he is a Nunzi or related to them?
I do like the 70, 71, 72, 73 Trans Ams but I'd take a 74 super duty! : )

PS: I'm attempting to send Dave Hilliard a Christmas card. I'll look him up and let you know.
mark

"...I'd only like to pay around $1,500 to $2,000 for a set of 96s..."

Yeah, I'll bet there are LOTS of Pontiac guys who'd love to buy any good condition, Pontiac round port heads, for that price.

The only way you'll do that is to find somebody with a set, who doesn't know what they are worth, and get there 1st.

I don't think $2,500 is out of the realm of possibility, it will just take some patience. And being there 1st. Definitely could have gotten a set at the time I got mine for that price. Mine were untouched so the seller wanted more.

And think, they are much cheaper than Ram Air V heads. I've got a friend with an NOS set and he's turned down $8 or so.

I tried to get a set of NOS Buick Stage 2 heads but bowed out when I was countered at 10. Ended up with a bunch of blocks and assorted heads for a decent price.

Okay,
Thanks, all good advice.
My lesson in life has always been: "When you don't want it, it is there, but when you do want it, you can never find it or afford it"
ah yes, the GREAT BUICK GS and GSX parts search.
One of my FAV cars of all time, a 70 Buick Skylark
PS: I just re-found Dave Hillard AND his Dad Jim's addresses
Seems like they moved a bit down the road (East on the 40)
I'll send them both Christmas cards...
(We can say Christmas on the forum cant we?)

Yes, that's all we send. None of this "happy holidays" crap!!

It's getting harder and harder every year to find 'real' Christmas cards... Grrr!

I CAN find them here at the Edwards AFB BX (Base exchange)
Political correctness has helped bring America down

PS:
That little 68 bird has a 400, auto trans, hood tach and its same color as yours
(#1 color in 68 & 69 vedoro green)

Like an IDIOT...I sold my original, untouched RAII heads in 2005. Had correct tuliped valves, rocker arms, studs and lock nuts.

All for the measly sum of $2000...

All to fund my kitchen remodel.

Shoot Telly a PM...he will send you pics. I bet they are later 69 or 70 castings.

There is a set on EPay now...

Even comes with an exhaust manifold. Problem is where will you find the other one?

The RH manifold isn't included with the heads. At $6500 with a pair of original round port manifolds? Sure.

I don't know exactly what you guys are calling RAII heads. I did see a pair of 48 heads for sale, that's not them, right?

Bill V

Nope, search for Pontiac Ram Air 2 or ii.

There are actually two sets of heads on there right now.

"I don't know exactly what you guys are calling RAII heads. I did see a pair of 48 heads for sale, that's not them, right?"


They are #96 round ports. not to be confused with '71 #96 D-ports.


"Nope, search for Pontiac Ram Air 2 or ii. There are actually two sets of heads on there right now."


The search works, but the links to 'em don't.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/68-pontiac-Firebird-Ram-Air-II-heads-96-/381494188770?hash=item58d2d35ae2:g:3lUAAOSwJcZWckpp&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pontiac-ram-air-2-heads-Firebird-GTO-Trans-Am-/181967258588?hash=item2a5e1803dc:g:VVEAAOSwSHZWddXZ&vxp=mtr