Swap a 79 head on an 81?

[DanD]

Hi folks, been a while since I was here. My question involves swapping the head from a 79 carbed engine onto an 81 FI engine. Is it doable? It seems unlikely to me, but I have to ask, as I have a good 79 head, and I am wondering I can use it. I seem to recall there is a weird passage on the front of the 79 head, and I am wondering if the manifolds and gaskets will line up and work.

[rridge]

I've done it. Not pretty but it works. The 2L carbed head is compromised by the provision for an exhaust gas recirc passage across the front of the head. The FI intake and exhaust manifolds bolt up but leave the EGR passage on each side of the front of the head open. If you have a choice, the FI head flows better, and both the 1800 and FI heads look better.

[DanD]

Thanks. I have heard that the 1800 head would raise compression slightly, but what I have on hand is a complete running 79 engine.