I have the 460 out of my 79 Bronco at the moment. Before I set it back into the truck I want to do a few upgrades, I am doing a camshaft, timing chain set, oil pump, intake, carb, and headers. I am planning on pulling the cylinder heads off to install the new valve springs, along with new seals. I was thinking about doing some port/polish work mainly on the exhaust ports. They have the D3VE casting number, I noticed they have a pretty big hump in the exhaust ports. My question is how much of that can I carve out of there without damaging the heads? I'm not looking to make crazy power numbers with this engine, I'd just like to free up the breathing a bit more. Also I am having a hard time deciding which fuel pump to go with. I prefer to stay away from electric pumps. I have had bad luck with over-the-counter parts store pumps, they don't seem to supply enough fuel for the beast. What do you guys recommend for a good mechanical fuel pump? Any and all help is appreciated, thanks in advance!
John

 

as far as the heads go, check out the reincarnation-automotive website for porting instructions. it is a small fee to join but is a world of wealth as far as porting instructions on the BBF heads and how to get the most out of them.

as far as pumps, you will have to spend a few more bucks and go with a good quality one like a carter or holley pump in either electric or mechanical if you want something decent and reliable. over the counter ones are usually just factory rebuilds, so the quality is only as good as the rebuild shop doing them.

rgds
Mike

 

I run a Holley 110 GPH mech. fuel pump.Model 12-460-11.You can completely remove the thermactor hump from those heads.The 30.00 to join the Mad Porter's site is worth it.Besides power gains it might also save you from grinding through a water passage.

 

Sounds great, thanks guys... I'll have to check this out!
John

 

 

If that cutaway is of a D3 head, it looks like I can't take much out of there... bummer.

 

So exactly how much can I safely remove from these heads? Or should I just pull the DOVE heads off my 70' 460 I have in the back room?
John

 

The only benefit of a DOVE vs. D3VE is a DOVE has smaller combustion chambers (75cc vs 95cc D3) and the DOVE head is set up for screw in studs for adjustable rockers.You would have to install a non shouldered rocker stud and guideplates.They are the same with regards to flow.Higher compression ratio for the DOVE.

 

Not enough gain to make it worth it to me at this point I don't think. I am looking at the cutway of the D3 head posted by mark a. It looks like the hump in the exhaust port has some type of passage underneath it. How much can I cut out of there without ruining the heads?
John

 

What intake were you planning on using?

 

the port underneath the hump is the air injection port, so you can grind away most of the hump as the port doesn't really effect anything (you will have to plug the opening in the backof the head so you don't get exhaust leakage though).

the more critical areas are near the water passages at the turn in the runner. they are pretty thin and you need to grind carefully in those areas so you don't break through and ruin the heads.

rgds
Mike

 

At home I think I still have a bookmark to a full writeup on how the do this with pictures. It also shows you how NOT to do it. I'll look for it when I get home tonight.

 

Man, I can't find that link anywhere. If I come across it I'll post it back in this forum. I was pretty sure I first found it from here.

 

I'm planning on running an Edelbrock Performer RPM with a 750-800 cfm carb. I'm also planning on doing a small cam upgrade, headers, adjustable timing chain set,and an upgraded fuel pump. I would love to open those ports up on the exhaust side especially.
John

 

Have you thought about going with the air gap version?