Holes in the top of heads...

[xxkozxx]

Got a question about a set of 4a heads that I picked up.

On the top of the heads next to the head bolts on the exhaust side there are 4 other holes that are threaded and have a silver tube in them that goes down into the exhaust port.

Can anyone tell me what those holes are? What they are used for? Can I just pull the tubes and plug the holes up?

[oldsfromyell]

those are for the air tubes from the air pump which is part of the smog system from the car those heads came from. if you are using them on a non smog engine yes you can plug the holes for normal operation.

[xxkozxx]

Thanks. Yeah I was looking on the oldsfaq about those holes. Looks like I'm going to have to get the grinder out and get rid of the bumps in the heads as well.

[W451973]

Sorry for being mr negativity but you are wasting your time with those heads. Even if you cut them, they are still a waste of time. Pull the 2 inch intake valves out and use them in an earlier set of 1967-1972, # 4,5,6,7 or 7a's.