New Pair GMC Chevrolet Truck 454 7.4L BBC Cylinder Heads – Cast Iron 1996-2000 # 279 W/ Inconel Exhaust Valves | No Core Required

New GM Chevrolet GMC 454 7.4L Casting #279 Cast Iron Cylinder Heads (Pair) w/ Inconel Exhaust Valves

Heavy-Duty OEM-Quality Replacement For 1996–2000 Engines

Stop settling for “good enough” when your rig is on the line. This is a brand-new, precision-matched pair of cast iron cylinder heads specifically engineered for the legendary GM 454 7.4L powerhouse. These heads aren’t just replacements—they are a massive reliability upgrade for the 1996–2000 generation.

Built to thrive where others fail, these heads are fortified with high-temperature Inconel exhaust valves. Whether you’re white-knuckling a heavy trailer up a steep grade or hauling max payloads across the state, Inconel technology ensures your valves withstand the extreme heat and pressure that melt standard components.

We’ve done the heavy lifting for you. These units arrive fully assembled and ready to bolt on straight out of the box. No trips to the machine shop, no hunting for small parts—just pure, unadulterated American iron designed to restore your truck’s peak compression and throttle response. If you’re looking for a “one and done” solution to bring your heavy-duty truck back to its former glory, this is it.

🛠️ In-House Machining Process

• Debris-Free Preparation: Every new casting is chemically cleaned and blown out to remove all residual machining oils, metal shavings, and manufacturing debris. This ensures your oiling system remains uncontaminated from the first start-up.

• In-House Precision Machining: Unlike “shelf-stock” heads, we perform all final machine work in-house. This includes final guide sizing and precision valve seat cutting to ensure perfect geometry and clearances before the head reaches the assembly bench.

• Pressure & Integrity Testing: To go beyond the factory standard, we pressure-test every head to 60 PSI. This verifies that the casting is free of porosity leaks or internal defects that could compromise the cooling or oiling systems.

• Dimensional Inspection: Our technicians perform a multi-point inspection of the gasket-sealing surface and bore alignment. This ensures the head is perfectly flat and meets tight OEM tolerances for a flawless fit.

• Professional Assembly & Setup: Valvetrain components are installed and verified in a clean-room environment. We check spring heights and seal seating to ensure the assembly is balanced and ready for high-performance use.

• Vacuum-Seal Verification: Every intake and exhaust port is Vacuum Tested. This guarantees a 100% airtight seal between the valves and seats, ensuring maximum compression and peak performance right out of the box.

📊 Technical Specifications

• Engine Size: 7.4L / 454
• Casting Number: 279
• Material: Premium Cast Iron
• Condition: Brand New
• Exhaust Valves: High-Performance Inconel
• Compatibility: 1996–2000 GMC/Chevrolet Trucks
• No Core Return Required
• Each Cylinder Head Includes: Valves and Springs Installed

🚛 Fitment Data

Common Applications:

• Chevrolet 2500 Pickup: 1996–2000 Chevrolet 2500 Pickup (8-454 (7.4L))
• Chevrolet 30 Van: 1996 Chevrolet 30 Van (8-454 (7.4L)) 30 HD
• Chevrolet 3500 Pickup: 1996–2000 Chevrolet 3500 Pickup (8-454 (7.4L))
• Chevrolet Express 3500 Van: 1996–2000 Chevrolet Express 3500 Van (8-454 (7.4L))
• GMC 2500 Pickup: 1996–2000 GMC 2500 Pickup (8-454 (7.4L))
• GMC 3500 Pickup: 1996–2000 GMC 3500 Pickup (8-454 (7.4L))
• GMC 3500 Van: 1996 GMC 3500 Van (8-454 (7.4L)) 3500 HD
• GMC Savana 3500 Van: 1996–2000 GMC Savana 3500 Van (8-454 (7.4L))
• Chevrolet Suburban 2500: 1996–1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 (8-454 (7.4L))