I've got to pull my stock 706 heads to get a couple header bolts out that broke on me. My question is should I get my stock heads P&P or buy a set of used 243's?

 

Why not remove the broken header bolts? I removed 3 from my engine when I got it in 20min... Its not hard...

 

If you put 243's on you'll also need to have them milled about 0.030 for no loss of compression.

 

Probably be cheaper to buy 243's or 799s for $3-400 and have them milled .03 for $100ish than to pay for porting.

If you mill them you will need to check for proper pushrod length.

I have ls7 lifters and milled .03 862s with stock height head gaskets and use a 7.375" pushrod

If you mill the heads I'm 95% sure 7.375" push rod would be your correct length, but every motor is different so check.

 

something to think about, 243s will make your 5.3L lose a little bottem end power b/c of the larger runners. probably gain 15-20 at the motor with 243s
this route $600ish
or

You could fix your head bolts and have the 706's milled to bring your compression close to 10:1 which will give you more bottom and top end power. Probably 10-15 at the motor. this route $200-300ish

You could by a cam with the $300 dollar difference

 

Well my point is, I have to pull the heads to fix the header bolts. So while they are off I might as well get some work done on them. No sense in pulling them twice. My local shop said they charge $750 for a full port and polish. so I didn't know if it would be cheaper and better for me to just buy some 243's.

 

yes it would be cheaper, but you will get more out of Ported 706/862s than you will stock 243s, and keep or raise compression.

 

I would at LEAST get them milled if not planning on boosting. If your in the budget, get them ported as well.

 

I suppose the ideal thing for me to do is to find a set of 243's and have them P&P?

 

Is the motor a 6.0 in you sig? the ss?