400 small block

I'm using the stock heads and steam holes are in there. If you really searched the net you will find a variety of opinions on the matter. I for one agree that steam holes should be used. If thats the way it was from the factory then there is a good reason for them. I've read a lot about it and about using the 400 head gasket as a template. The machine shop I'm using tends to more racing style engines. It is pretty common in a racing situation not to use the steam holes from what I understand.

I am using the steam holes.

Sam, those two cams that you posted aren't even close to each other. The comp cam is way too big for what you want, but the TFS one would work.

Normally on a 400, you would really want 2.02/1.6 valves, but for what you are doing, it would likely hinder low end performance. Stick with the stock valve sizing & the rest of your combo looks doable. Don't forget to buy a roller timing chain while you got it opened up. Later on, you won't regret spending the extra dough for that extra insurance against chain stretch.

Here's a few cams I could recommend:

Crane Cams
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRN-100042
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRN-100172?part=CRN-100172&autoview=sku *

Comp Cams
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=72&sb=2
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=95&sb=2

Lunati
http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2323&gid=297
http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2324&gid=297 *

* The largest cams I would suggest for what you are looking for. In case you want some lope to your idle without killing off too much bottom end.

ok...i knew this would happen...I'm switchings up a bit here...goint with these for heads as it was going to cost me 530 to rework the heads i have.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330514277551&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

****the steam holes WILL be drilled******

my main question is if I go with a stock rebuild what will my compression ratio be with a 64cc head?

Holy crap those are cheap! Wonder what heads they are a knock off of?

The compression ratio will depend mainly on piston dish & gasket thickness. There's a calculator somewhere online to help you figure it out. I'll search for it later.

Rago wrote:Holy crap those are cheap! Wonder what heads they are a knock off of?

That would be embossed on the side of the head, in Chinese. LOL. I'm not knocking the heads, just saying... JB

yea they are cheap....but less than half the price of of one head from edelbrock and probably a smarter move than putting 550 buck into a pair of cast heads....I like the fact that they are machined for both early and late model stuff............plus I'm sure edelbrock doesn't have anywhere close to 1200 bux in a set of their heads

I was looking at the calculators last night...really need to find the deck volume or at lest what is was stock