Depending on the model, they started in 74 through 76. There was an early design that used a 1-barrel carb, and a later design that used a progressive 2-barrel. Both engines used the exact same block as the non-integral head motors, and they only came in the 250 CI displacement. Both cars and 1/2-ton trucks used them. They made a little bit more power and got a little bit better gas mileage than the non-integral head.
The downside to the design is that if the engine is run too hot, the heads crack pretty easily. And there are a lot of cracked heads out there still installed on engines laying around in backyards because they were pulled out after they overheated and didn't then run right.
The engines are usually good for cores on the shortblock assembly, and that's about it. If you know of one that runs good, then it might be worth a try, but personally I wouldn't use it.
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David
newbie #4153
