500SL VS 380SL Heads

[denis gow]

Hope you can help regarding heads issue ,

My 1982 500SL Euro needs the heads to be fully serviced which I am planning ASAP, however in the meantime, I have been offerred a set of heads from a 380SL that have been fully serviced but never been on a car since the service .

Are the heads interchangeable, will the 500SL power be affected if the 380SL heads are used , are all bolt patterns the same , and also compression ratio's.

What would be the end result .

Looking forward to your assistance .

Den Downunder 1982 500SL Euro Red .

[Steve Gutman]

I don't think you can use the 380 heads. I will check with a mechanic friend of mine. He told me the Euro 500 has different pistons that give it the high compression. I think it would be a different head because of the bore. I think he told me they have a diffferent block.

[ericdee]

No... Different heads all together, bigger valves, higher compression etc.

[denis gow]

Eric and Steve,

Thanks for your comments , and from this advice I will not be using the 380SL heads for the reasons you outline .

Many thanks

Denis