1)I have these heads on a '69 .030 396 block. My question is how much lift can these heads support? I was looking at the following cams:

302A4LUN
302A5LUN
302A6LUN

The piston I was thinking of using are TRW L2240NF-30, 9.59:1 comp, but don't know if they will kiss the pistons with .500+ lift.

The rest of the drive train consists of an M21 and 4.10:1 rear.

and couple little questions...

2)Does anyone know if an RPM Airgap will work with 70-72 cowl induction as far as clearance?

3)I definately plan on building a 565 in the next year or so. I was thinking of getting big headers now (2-2.25" primaries) so I don't have to buy another set of headers next year or the years after. Will 2" primary tubes cause problems for my 396? I'm aware of torque loss, but don't really care as Iwill not race the 396.


I know I asked alot, but any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

I'm running 390's with 540 lift, so those heads are ok, a little shrouded by the bathtub shape. I'm running low comp flatops, and am giving up 20 ponies for sure over an optimized street compression ratio. Oh well.

I use those heads with a .640 lift solid roller. Small valves and the heads are absolutley untouched other than a standard 3 angle valve job. I also use the L2240 piston and things are close with this cam with steel shim head gaskets, but with all my other flat tappet cams up to a .561 lift there is plenty of room.

That RPM air gap should work, but call Edelbrock as they can usually tell you that. I would not go with that big of a primary on your headers.

1 3/4" primary tube headers are all you will need for a 396..Summit sells them for $79..I would just upgrade to Super Comps if you go with a bigger motor
The Airgap will work with the factory cowl air cleaner/hood,but it will be tight.If you flip the rubber seal on upside down,it will give some more room.

Can anyone tell me if the cams I listed will give good bottom end torque?