Out of stock
SKU: GMP12691728
MPN: 12691728
This Vortec cylinder head fits the small block Chevy platform and is sold individually under MPN 12691728, so you can buy one for a repair or a matched pair for a full rebuild. Vortec castings earned their reputation by moving more air than the older first-design heads they replaced, which is why they remain a go-to for budget-minded street and mild performance builds. If you're refreshing a 350 or stepping up airflow on a worn long-block, this head gives you a known, proven port design without the cost of aftermarket aluminum. It pairs naturally with the rest of our engine parts catalog.
The Vortec design uses raised intake ports and a reshaped combustion chamber that improves flow and swirl over earlier small block Chevy castings. That layout requires a Vortec-specific intake manifold and the correct bolt pattern, so plan your top-end accordingly when ordering. Because this is a cast iron head, it tolerates heat cycling and detonation better than aluminum in a daily-driven engine. Builders typically pair these castings with matched valve springs when running a higher-lift camshaft, since the factory springs limit lift before coil bind becomes a concern. If you're degreeing in a new stick, check our small block Chevy hydraulic camshafts for a compatible match.
A buyer reaches for this head when a small block Chevy needs more flow than the original castings can deliver but the build doesn't justify aftermarket aluminum. It works for stock rebuilds, mild street engines, and crate-style combinations where reliability and parts availability matter more than maximum horsepower. Order a single head to replace a cracked or warped unit, or buy two to build matching banks. When you're spec'ing the rest of the assembly, browse our small block Chevy rocker arms and the broader engines and components selection to complete the top end.
It is sold as each, meaning one cylinder head per order. For a complete top-end rebuild on a small block Chevy you will need to order two to cover both banks. Buying one is useful when you only need to replace a single cracked or warped casting.
Yes. The Vortec design uses a different intake bolt pattern and raised ports compared to earlier small block Chevy castings, so a Vortec-specific intake manifold is required. A standard older-style manifold will not bolt up or seal correctly against the Vortec port layout.
The factory valve springs limit camshaft lift before coil bind becomes a problem. If you plan to run a higher-lift cam, builders typically install upgraded valve springs to support the additional lift safely. Match the springs to your camshaft's specs before assembly.
The manufacturer part number is 12691728, and our SKU is GMP12691728. Use the MPN to confirm fitment against your small block Chevy build before ordering, especially when matching it to an existing head on the opposite bank.
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