Ok guys I got a 1974 460 out of a Lincoln that I put in my 78 Bronco. Runs great and is stock other than the non-smog timing set I installed.

I'm not looking for much of a increase but I would like to up performance a little more. Im not looking for anything crazy. I don't want to change pistons or anything like that.

What is a good head I can replace the D3 with? I'm looking for a direct swap. I want all down low power. I'm keeping my factory intake.

I've been looking at Dove-C heads. Is that a step in the right direction?

Sorry for all the questions. This is my first 460 I'm still learning about them. Thanks alot.

 

I'd keep the D3's. Do some port work & mill them. Get a good set of pistons that will give you the compression ratio you are looking for with the D3's chamber volume and zero deck them. The biggest problem your looking at is the big dished pistons sitting around .040 in the holes and a head swap isn't going to fix that.

 

I thought the dove-c had alot smaller combustion chamber than the d3 therefore raising compression a little higher.

Changing pistons won't be able to happen for years more than likely. I drive it to much to have it down for major engine mods. I knew the stockers were an obstacle for this engine from the start with all the reading I've been doing. I was just trying to get around it.

That's why I was thinking maybe some better heads that might help it. Have them rebuilt and slap them on on a weekend.

I'm happy with the way it runs but that don't keep me from itching for more. Lol

 

If it is all down low power that you want, I wouldn't be too gung-ho about swapping heads. The D0VE-C's do have a smaller chamber, but they add more to quench characteristics than to increased compression. Also, bumping up your compression, will add to horsepower, but depending on other mods, may not add much to your bottom end torque.

If you are set on a head swap, find a clean set from your local pick and pull. Take them to someone with a flow bench or someone without a flow bench that just knows what to do with ports. Spend $150-180 on a good low end cam. I prefer Comp cams, just because of my good luck with their customer service staff.

Dial in your carb, and you'll be set all for a reasonable fee. This will give you quite a bump, so there are just simple ways to add a little without spending that much, and tearing that much apart.

Try bumping your base timing up to 12-14 BTC, but not too high because you need to listen for detonation(pinging). This free upgrade actually gives you more bump than you would think. Other simple things like new air, and fuel filters, new ign. coil(accel, MSD), new dist. cap and rotor, plug wires, will also give you some little bumps.

Remember, opening up heads can decrease the air velocity in, and the back pressure out of the cylinder. Both of these can hurt your low end power.

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I have my timing set at 12°. I havent tried any higher. I just gave it a tuneup when I put it in about a month ago.

I have a 600 electric choke carb on it and after tinkering with it I think I have it dialed in about as perfect as it gets. I spent quite a bit of time setting the idle mixture screws also with a vac gauge and keeping idle speed and base timing where I wanted it. No hesitation or dead spots.
I kept stock intake. A list of intakes I found online listed the stocker as about the best for low end if the information was correct.
I'm looking for this engine to have all its power before 4000rpm.

I'll take yalls word for it. If yall don't think heads will do much for it at this point I'll just keep on going with what I got. Thanks guys.

 

Did you block the EGR valve and the EGR port under the carb?