Never got around to seriously pursuing selling off the 460CI block and rotating assembly, so finally got it loaded into the truck and ran it over to the machine shop for balancing this morning. So, unless something else changes (for me that means the wind changed direction), looks like I will very shortly have a 460CI shortblock sitting here.

Have to tell you, I am leaning to giving it a try with my 290 oval ports. Compression will be up there though [ 10.7 - 11.0 ], depending on the deck height and the head gasket I go with, but I think this will allow me a lot more freedom with cam selection. Currently have 3 different hyd rollers that I can use.

Comp NX279HR 230/242 @ .050, .537/.541 113LSA/ 108ICL currently installed in the 408
ZZ502 Cam 224/234 @ .050, .527/.544 110LSA/106 ICL (think this is far too small)
CamMotion 233/236 @ .050, .600/.610 112LSA/108ICL

Also, have been looking into some other grinds. Having the higher compression to work with, thinking I may also be able to go to something longer but with a wider LSA - something in the 236/246 @.050 on a 114LSA/112ICL. Like the Crane 296HR or one of the traditional Lunati EFI cams.

Joe,the Cam Motion grind and the 290 heads would be a stout combo IMHO

I know, I am kinda leaning to that - I already have it. It is a $350.00 steel core cam with the pressed on iron distributor gear. I got it off Ebay direct from CamMotion about a year ago for 100.00. It is a step nose, so I would just use the GenVI timing set in my '88 block.

I know I said I wasn't planning on racing it, but I can't help thinking maybe it may be nice to put this back together, make the couple of mods that it needs in the process, bolt on some drag radials and see if I can't click off a low 12 (or better).

PS - one thing I do know, after going over the car a little more thoroughly, decided the AC will be boxed up and stored. Although in basically good shape, the factory AC needs too many parts that I don't have the ambition to fix - not for as little as I will drive the car. Having the AC as a prerequisite was a definite deterent, due to a self imposed RPM limit of about 5800 or so. Without it, I can set things up to run into the 6200 - 6300 range. Anyway looks like this is now the plan.

I know I said I wasn't planning on racing it, but I can't help thinking maybe it may be nice to put this back together, make the couple of mods that it needs in the process, bolt on some drag radials and see if I can't click off a low 12 (or better).
Anyway looks like this is now the plan.

I like that plan! :thumbsup:

Joe, you going to have Miller balance/assemble the short block?


I did a burnout near your house around 3:30, did you hear it?

I'll assemble it. Already checked the crank, rod and piston clearances, just need to pick up a set of .030 rings and file fit them. Everything else is good to go. Milller will balance and hang the pistons (pressed pins). Balance of parts will come right off the 408 motor - pan, oil pump, timing cover, intake, water pump, valve covers. Basically a swap of a 9.5/1 .030 over 402 shortblock with a 10.75/1 .030 over 454 and then whatever cam I end up with.

This should be interesting when done. With the 10" converter, the 408 motor would fry the tires. I can just imagine what a high compression 454 motor will do. One thing I am considering if I can find someone nearby, I want to look into running this motor on dyno. If anyone checks in and knows of a reliable engine dyno in the Phila area, let me know.

Car looks very nice. I agree, the CamMotion would be great.