Our 76 chevy 1/2 ton came with an integral head when we purchased it new in 1976. After 160,000 miles the motor was tired but the head never had a problem. Several items to note in defense of this head design. When new, we got 24mpg on the highway w/3 speed Saginaw and 3:08 rear end. I never had a problem with carb ice in the winter and unlike the 2pc manifolds, never had an intake or exhaust gasket leak. True, it was not a performance oriented design but it did what it needed to do for us without complaint. Now entering the 31st year of ownership and the third engine in this truck, (second was an experiment with a V thingy)I am back to an inline 6 and in this case it is a Goodwrench Mexican mfg 292, I am one happy camper. I will never diss the integral head as I never had anything but good luck with it. Your results may vary according to application, mine were OK.
jeff
