Does anyone have specific knowledge or experience with this?
Being a critical thinker, I realize that machining the heads will change the valve timing. (Or am I wrong?)

i have both heads off now. One is machined and rebuilt with valve job and stuff. But still not installed. the other one just got removed today and will go to the machine shop very soon.
So who has some good wisdom for me here?

i can appreciate that for sure. But I have the heads off now so I’m just trying to spend “smart money” while I’m in it.
Well, research how smart the money would be.

I don’t know if .010 or .030 or .075 is do-able for machining the heads. But I’m taking them in for valve job and cleaning and valve seals and whatever else.

I’m just trying to figure out the “whatever else” at this point before it gets reassembled.

Correct me if I’m wrong here but:
if the chain is (for example, using simple numbers) exactly 20links from the crank to the cam, but then I get the head machined .030, then that means the 20links of chain stays the same but the centerline of the cam and crank become .030 closer.
But the 20links of chain will still be exactly X inches. So if the length of chain stays constant, but the centerline if it’s pulleys have gotten closer; then that means the initial cam positioning will be different.

This is why I think I need a pro

thats my point; the cam sprocket would have to bump forward or backward a degree or two or so. Based on moving the centerline of the pulley.

You mention the slack but the slack doesn’t affect the valve timing, does it? Crankshaft sprocket pulls the chain and the chain pulls the cam sprocket: no slack in this part of the game. Right?
I can’t quite figure out your point. Maybe you’re right and I don’t get it. Or maybe it’s the other way around.
Interesting conversation for sure.
But really it doesn’t matter because; ....
(next post)

I found L&M Engines online and they seem to be experts with building modular Ford engines. I spoke to their shop foreman today about my overall “dilemma” and he said for me to not bother with machining the heads for increased compression. He said the small amount wouldn’t amount to anything valuable.

They build 1,000 hp race engines, so I guess they know enough to advise me in this sitch.

Oh well.

And today I spoke to another Ford Modular engine specialist and he also told me to not bother.
Just thought I’d update everyone.