~10.6 Compression, CJ Heads, Pump Gas

[Sand hauler]

Barry's survival heads and the BBM heads are at 75cc I believe and have a modern heart chamber . Way more forgiving on pump gas .

[67428GT500]

>My mindset has changed since then.

LOL, did I mention that I'm 63 and still run 3" bullets on 12" of collector extensions.  I like it loud.  My other car runs methanol, and I'd love to get this one converted over.

You're old and deaf. It's the only way you know the engine is running... 
I am around jet engines all the time. However, on the flight deck,  However, when I do my walk around inspection they're still loud on the ground at the gate and in the alley.

                                                                                                                                 -Keith

[CV355]

Barry's survival heads and the BBM heads are at 75cc I believe and have a modern heart chamber . Way more forgiving on pump gas .

Good suggestion! Just looked those up based on your recommendation and they look pretty dang good!  Looks like my cam would be compatible too.  I might give those guys a call and see what they recommend.

Ok, been perusing their site.  Now I have the itch to start from scratch on an engine stand, but my wife may kill me.  Probably going to just continue as previously stated- static compression test, dynamic compression test, determine if the numbers look friendly for pump gas.  If so, keep it as-is, mill the intake to fit, button it up, tune the carb and go.  If the numbers are too high for reliable use on pump gas, I may say screw it and just build a new one from scratch...

[67428GT500]

I understood you were running stock heads. TFS shows 70. Edelbrock offers 72 and 76 and the speed master heads are 76CC.  I just went though this with the head change ordeal. Because of my piston change. 72CC with 22CC inverted dome JSE pistons. I wanted to maintain no less than 9.8. compression. I'm glad I can get away from the VP if I don't want to run it.
                                                                                                                                         -Keith

[338Raptor]

I agree with your plan. Just put it together and see how it runs on pump gas.  Worst case you may need to add a bottle of octane booster to each tank.  If you only drive it 500 miles a year that’s only 3 bottles or $36 per year. 
Just get it running and enjoy it.

[Faron]

Do you know the Distributor Curve , Has it been recurved , I see "

[64PI]

I had a iron head 390 with 10.7:1 compression in my Galaxie before. C1AE heads heavily worked, comp 294s cam, 4500 stall converter and 4.11 gears. Ran fine on pump 93 in upstate NY. I believe I ran my total timing around 38.

[Falcon67]

Get an otoscope and watch the plugs.  Center ceramic will tell you what's up real quick.  "Pepper" is no es bueno

[CV355]

It's going in the shop in two weeks.  Worst case scenario, I have to swap heads and intake to drop CR.  Should be interesting

[Joe-JDC]

A fresh valve job where you cut the seats, and dress the valves will increase the combustion chamber volume a bit, helping lower the compression ratio without affecting the quench area.  Slow down the initial advance in the distributor by increasing the spring tension on the smallest spring, and that should help with detonation at slower speeds.  Joe-JDC

[My427stang]

If you have that 304/324 cam in there and it's at 110 ICL, you will be able to run any cheap gas you want without detonation, and even likely with an aggressive curve.  In fact, I'd say in street driving, that cam would likely handle 11.5:1  It's a big boy if that's the one

I wouldn't sweat it, if anything I'd advance that thing to about 104 if you are really at 10.7:1 and give it a reasonable curve with a big initial.

That cam won't be fussy (if that is indeed the cam in it)

[BattlestarGalactic]

I've run my 428CJ motor in my truck for decades.  .04 over, 10.5/1, .59 lift Crower flat tappet, med riser 2x4 with mildly worked stock heads.  Run it on 91 or 93(whatever I can buy) and have beat it to pieces for decades with no ill effects.

It has gotten a dose of 110 on random days if I have some left over juice from the wagon I need to burn up.  I run 40* total and pretty steep initial.  Starts easy.

[CV355]

As always, I really do appreciate the input!

Sounds like it may be good as-is with a little tuning.  I'll know for sure next week when we run compression tests and get it dialed in.