Well, I have a 390 with 1000 miles on it but whoever built the motor put to big of pistons in it and scored the block,bearings,etc..So im starting from scratch. It currently has dish pistons with closed chamber heads, could I go with flattops with those heads and still run pump gas? I have the factory 4v intake with a 650cfm edelbrock, will I gain much getting a aftermarket aluminum intake or do the oems flow good enough? And last but not least what if I put a 428 crank in,anyone know the best place to find one? Would it be worth it?

Thanks fellas

 

It sounds like one of those rebuilds where nothing was measured, just thrown together. Sad when that happens.

Anyway, we need more information before we can answer quesitons.

1. What are the head casting numbers? If you know exact head CC's, that would be better.
2. The OEM iron intakes do flow surprisingly well, but it's no Performer RPM. Probably somewhere between the Edelbrock Performer and the Performer RPM. The real advantage is in weight savings. The stock iron intakes weigh in the neighborhood of 80lbs. The aluminum ones weigh around 20. Big advantage there. However, some people have had issues with intake gaskets sealing with their aluminum intakes, so keep that in mind.
3. What are your priorities for the motor? Are you going to be hauling a grain wagon around, or hauling A$$ down the drag strip?
4. A longer stroke crank will increase displacement and in turn increase compression ratio and torque, all other things being equal. This will result in a slight decrease in gas mileage. I think the 390 crank is entirely adequate for any build, but ultimately the decision is yours. My general thinking is if I have a 390 crank I'll build up a 390, but I'm not going to go hunt down a 428 crank. But then again, if I had a 428 crank, then by all means... get it?

 

Tonight I got the casting # off my heads which is C8AE-H.. I did a search and it came up as 68 427-428ci heads!!! Does anyone know anything about these? Are they higher flowing then a standard 390 head?

 

you should send those to me and in return I will send you a 'real' set of 390 heads or maby even two or three sets , does that answer your question?, bob

 

I have a set on my 390, those are just standard FE heads. You must have looked them up in Steve Christ's book, I did the same thing. For a while I thought I had something.

 

I also have a pair of D2TE-A heads, how do they compare to the C8AE-H?? What ones should I use?

 

Also how can I tell if their GT heads?

Heres the casting # site I was going by http://www.fomogo.com/info/cn/

 

I have a set of D2TE-A heads and i am not positive but i think they are very simular to the C8AE-H but the D2's came with hardened ehaust seats for unleaded fuel.
Brandon

 

Brandon is correct about the comparison of the D2 and the C8 heads. The GT heads generally had 14 bolt holes as opposed to 8 (so they can use special exhaust squeezed in a small bay).

--Mike

 

So it really doesnt matter what ones I use? Iv heard some say to put CJ valves in when rebuilding them..Do they flow better or whats the advantage?

 

If you use the C8's you need to install hardened exhaust seats. The D2's are ok as they are...although, if I remember correctly, the exhaust seats are surface hardened only on the D2's. I have the D2 heads on my engine. They respond well to porting and polishing.