i am throwing together a budget 5.3 and have two sets of 706 castech heads. If my memory is right, one is from 06 and one is from a 05.
Is the crack issue something that happens right away or am I at risk even with heads that don't show signs of water at the bolt holes?
id rather use the heads I have but I'm going to be annoyed if I put work into a set of time bombs.
Thanks

 

Are you sure they are castechs? I have a set of 706's from an 05 that are not.

 

I checked both sets and they have that rectangle battery logo

 

Gotcha. I went thru the same thoughts until I researched and found were not.

I wouldnt risk risk it personally on something that was going to be performance oriented but If it was my beater I would if I had nothing else.

where are you located? I have 2 sets of 862's? I would be willing get rid of a set if interested.

 

Try BBJ auto cores on E-Bay for good rebuildable heads and other "STUFF"

 

i guess ill run what i have. worst case i have four tries to get two right.
i would consider a set of 243s but i havent found any for enough of a deal to justify it this time around.

 

If you want 243's, also look at 799's; they are identical to 243's, except sand cast instead of die cast, which does not matter functionally.