The DUDE just finished putting the short block together! It's my first big block so I'm pretty pumped. :D I'm still trying to decide what to do about the heads. I am either going to totally rebuild the #781 heads that i already have, or purchase a new set of 305 AFR heads. My combo is:

454 bored 60 over
standard stroke forged crank and rods
10.5 to 1 forged pistons (w/119cc chamber)
Lunati solid lifter cam (402A7lun - 288/296 with .612 and .630 lift)
Moroso 8 quart pan and pump
Planning on using either a victor jr or team G intake.

Turbo 400 tranny with approx 3500 rpm converter

12 bolt rearend with 4.11's

71 chevelle drag car (full cage, fiberglass hood and bumpers, electric fans, water pump, and fuel pump)

Which heads should I go with? By the time I do all the work to the #781's I will not be that far from the AFR's. What kind of performance difference could I expect from the AFR's???

Ask Mike Lewis (Wolfplace)about the AFR's. Just wondering what your intentions are for this combo and if a good dual plane manifold would fit into the equation?
Kirk

I have talked with Mike a few times, and he has been really helpful graemlins/beers.gif

As far as my intentions for the combo, I am planning on tearing up the world a quarter mile at a time :D

781's got Todd Geisler into the 10's with no major port work..something to think about..all your 781's need is the 2.19/1.88's (or 2.25 intake valves)..don't bother with hardened seats either..waste of cash IMHO and experience with BBC's..that where the cash is..enlarge for bigger valves and the cost of the valves themselves is about it,plus your normal valve job and cleaning..you should be able to pull that off for $700-900 tops for the whole job.

By the time I put all the new stuff into my set of #781 heads, I would have about the same amount of money as a new set of iron World Products Merlin heads. How do these compare with the #781's?

$700?! I spent $112 shipped for new 1.88 2.19 stainless undercut and swirl polished valves. Machining, including guides, seats, shave and valve job cost $380. $40, a few hours and a grinder takes care of the blend and shroud and there it is.