Engine: Heads for early 62 GT Hawk

[64studeavanti]

Does anyone know what the correct head casting number is for an early 62 GT Hawk? I am assuming the standard U.S. engine at this time. I have 537555, 535976, and 1555294 that came with the Hawk I just acquired. I also have some 1557570, but I think they are 63 or later. I would like to put the right ones on.
Thanks

[tim333]

Check with Bob Kapteyn.

[sals54]

According to the specs I have, the following should be the case for each of the head casting numbers:
537555 - 8:1 compression @ 54cc chamber
535976 - 7 1/2:1 comp @ 58cc chamber
1555294 - 7 3/4:1 comp @ 56cc chamber
1557570, which are the R1 heads, 9:1 with dish pistons and 10.25:1 with flat top pistons @ 54cc chamber
I would recommend the 570 heads with the dish pistons and steel gasket. You'll feel the power increase and not have any trouble with the lousy gas.

[64studeavanti]

The car came in many pieces - basically a shell with a lot of NOS engine and trim/chrome parts. I have what looks like a NOS 289 full flow short block with 976 heads already installed, a NOS set of 294 heads and a set of well used 555 heads. The 570 heads come from my stash of Avanti engines. I also have what I hope is the original block plus one from the late 50s.

I agree that the 570 heads are probably the better choice and of course the full flow block is considered to be more desirable. However, I am a bit of a purist. I would like to put it back together the way it came from the factory. So I plan on building the original block with the original heads - if I can determine which those are. Hence my question.

[Skybolt]

In the Chassis parts manual it has for 62 V8's 536790 7&7.5:1, 1555295 8.25:1, 537571 8.5:1 ratio.

Depending on how the V8 was optioned and whether it was a 259 or 289 will depend on the part number. The part number is what I'm quoting it could be different to the casting number as I'm not sure of all the casting numbers. Some have shown up over the years with no documentation.

Bob's site has some of the casting to part numbers.
http://www.studebaker-info.org/text3/Headcasting.html