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my 460 has D3VE-A2A heads. Acording to my overhaul book these have 91.4cc chambers. Is this correct? Are these heads any good? Should put the compression ratio at 8.4:1. This has to be better than the D4VE and later heads with the 96.2cc chambers but not as good as the D0VE 73.5cc chambers.
no such thing as a D4VE 460 head. they used the D3VE heads from 73 through the mid 80s and they were all nominally 95cc.
They flow as well as the D0VE heads just lower compression. If your rebuilding your motor just buy pistons that will work with a 95cc chamber to get you into the compression ratio you want.
Unless you are wanting to build a high rpm screamer, I think you will find your D3VE-A2A heads satisfactory. I am using the notorious (by some accounts) D2VE-AA heads on my 77 without complaint. My 460 pulls strong right up to 5,000 rpm. I am used an XE4256 Comp Cam, an 1850C Holley on an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold.
OP,I have that book by Tom Monroe.It has errors and misinformation with regards to casting numbers and parts ID.It's not a bad book as it does have some good info.Don't take it as gospel.Just because it's in print doesn't mean it's true.
Your D3 heads are fine, The only gains to a dove is they have stud mount rockers, something your d3s have to be machined for, not an issue on a mild build. The dove heads are still plentiful and easy to find and not too expensive if you look. I just baught a set yesterday for $200 with thoughts of selling them at a mark up, they are ported out, cut for big valves, have hard seats installed, and I think I am stuck with them, no quick sale for me. Another thing is the original dove heads were soft seats for leaded gasoline, needs to be fixed to run on our "new and improved" gasoline of today, another cost. It is a wash, not hard to buy flat tops, and bolt the d3s back on and get it where you need it.
Your D3 heads are fine, The only gains to a dove is they have stud mount rockers, something your d3s have to be machined for, not an issue on a mild build. The dove heads are still plentiful and easy to find and not too expensive if you look. I just baught a set yesterday for $200 with thoughts of selling them at a mark up, they are ported out, cut for big valves, have hard seats installed, and I think I am stuck with them, no quick sale for me. Another thing is the original dove heads were soft seats for leaded gasoline, needs to be fixed to run on our "new and improved" gasoline of today, another cost. It is a wash, not hard to buy flat tops, and bolt the d3s back on and get it where you need it.
Anyone have a good set of dove head's that will fit my 1985 460 please text me