Not sure where to go with this, but am thinking maybe I should try something I would not have done before.

The car ('69) is set up with a 3000 stall converter and 3.73 gears, currently running a 28" tall tire. If I drop the 502HO in and don't change anything, I tend to think I will be very disappointed. The 408 motor comes on real fast with the current converter/rear combo, I think the 502 will not have enough RPM.

I am investigating doing a cam change to bring up the RPM, but wonder if I may be wasting my time (and money) and better off using the 502HO as is and dropping back to a 12" street converter (maybe 2000 - 2200) ,dropping back the rear to a 3.31 or go to a taller tire and let the 502 torque carry the car. (Keep in mind, this is a street car that I intend to reconnect the factory A/C. Original goal was to have a car that I could drive to the track with the A/C on and then run 12's at will). This motor is supposed to have one heck of a lot of torque down low, I probably should try to capitalize on it.

Just have a real hard time leaving things alone though!!!!!

I would go with less convertor for sure.
Something that flashes to 2800-3000 tops (a 2200-2400 advertised stall rating as you mentioned)
I'd leave the gear and stick with the tall tire,but 3.42's would be sweet.
I'd also run it as is
JMHO
I'm sure it'll be alot of fun when you hit the loud pedal :thumbsup:

Chris,

I was trying to compare this against your ride. The 10" converter I have started life as a TCI Streetfighter (3500 - 3800). I had it freshened up and tightened to a 10" low stall (pretty much a 2800 - 3200 unit). I am thinking a converter that is pretty much wound up tight by 2400 - 2600 may be much better with this motor.

Joe,

Mine pulls to 6000+ strong and easily (I have a 6K chip). I saw some articles state that power drops of kinda soon w/these roller motors but I can't see it. Don't be afraid to let that needle on the tach move to the right.

I put a solid roller in mine...Had the heads ported.....My converter flashes at 5000.....Before it was tubbed I ran a 29x12 quick time pro with 410 gears....My best with that set up was 10.83......

Took my car out tonight for the first time this season....Love smokin the 33x21.50 M/T at 50mph......

I would say you will love the 502...I know I sure do.........

Scott,

I hope you check back in here. Mine is the Iron head Rec port motor (bought it new in the crate for 4500.00, so I can do few mods with cash to spare). I am considering a few things, but don't want to get out hand. I am not reaaly sure what to expect as far as the torque out from it out of the crate, I would expect it to pull like a bear out of the hole.

I do have a new CamMotion billet hyd roller on the shelf that I can install [287/290, 233/236, .600/.610, 112LSA/108ICL]. I probably could run this with the 8.75/1 CR, but shaving the heads to get to about 9.25 would help. Planning on keeping the factory high rise dual plane and most likely leaving the divider in tact. Have a 870 Holley Vac sec to use on it. If I go the route of the bigger roller, I will probably pull the heads to have the spring pockets opened up for larger diam valve springs, so milling them .040 - .050 can be done at the same time. If I do anything at all, this is probably the limit of my mods. I spoke to a converter manu. today, they suggested to try the modifed 10" unit I have first and see how it works, then change out to something else once I know what I have for a baseline - sounds like a good idea. So the only real issue for me is - do I just go ahead and do the cam change and the couple of head mods? We determined today that I can pirate the 854 Comp hyd rollers, pushrods and 1.7 roller rockers from the 408 motor - these parts don't even have 2 hours running time on them. So other than gaskets, wrench time, valve springs/retainers, conversion studs and some machining expense, I won't be out very much additional cash.

Like I said earlier, I have a hard time leaving things alone.

I remember when Scott's car ran mid/low 12's with his 502

And I thought I was an early riser - for a Saturday.

Have same 502 rec port retainer to guide clearence will not be enough. The 3/8-7/16 non adjustable rocker studs have to go even replaced with crane or comp not recomended for higher spring presures. May as well tap for 7/16 now do buy better springs.When these tall lifter bore lifters all started I beleive the cam manufactures for got of the extra weight because they will sell same spring for gen4 my thoughts anyway.With valve out you will find approx 3/16 stop sign from port to harden seat.PLain heads why not after all there off getting proper valve job.Ran 11.70 with 3.90 s 28/10.5 Mt. useing Tci. saturday special from Jegs. 850 carb Lunati 232-242 @ 50 .578/.595 . Currently run 10.60 @ 125 little more cam 4500 stall Bob

Good info. So you found that there is some port cleanup work to do. I wasn't sure about the retainer to guide clearance. The factory cams have .540 lift, typical BBC usually peek out at about .550 stock, if I use the .600/.610 cam I would assume this has to be adressed. Someone else had mentioned to me that I should consider doing some exhaust port cleanup while apart. Did you cut the heads much for compression to run the Lunati cam? The choice I have is run the cam I have (actually, I think the specs are on very good) or get a new cam. However, by the time I drop $$$ on another cam, I could have all the machine work done to these heads to make them correct. The one thing I am seriously thinking about are the new beehive springs.

The other option I have is to use the 290 oval port heads that are currently on the 408. These are set up with 2.19/1.72 valve combo, good roller springs, studs, guide plates. CC'd at 104 CC. I would think the 1.72's might choke the 502.

Have you got it running yet put them heads on and hang on Bob

You mean the 290 ovals or the iron rec ports that come on the 502? I'm going to have to do some research on this. May just come down to the correct cam & spring combo to pump it up.

Put the ovals on most racers like these better for heavy car Bob

I think I cam going to run it with the Rec ports and see how it runs. This is a 90-95% street cruiser. See my other thread. I need to decide on springs.

My springs are 135@1.906 closed 406@1306 open Crane 99895 these were close to 200.00 verses my old lunati Lun-73815 at 61.00. THere is a difference check them out.Bob