Thread: 402 big block HELP !!

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I'm new here so be easy on a old man.

I have a 1939 Ford Tudor with a 402 big block. 700r4 Transmission.
I was tearing into the engine to cam and lifters. I was also going to change the valve springs. I pull the heads because the tops of the valves (tips) has some rough edges. Pull the heads a part needs Probably needs all valves and guides.

My dilemma is to repair these heads or to find a better set that would perform better ?

#6272292 oval port open chamber cylinder heads
#3999290 402 engine block

Edelbrock 0735 Carburetor
Edelbrock Performer manifold
cam spec. int. exh.
adv. dur. 268 280
dur@.050 224 230 lobe sep. 110.0
valve lift .515 .520

Comp Cam # cb xe268h

Any cylinder head advice would be appreciated !!!!

Welcome to CHR Grump!!!! first question has to be, what is the budget for the update on the cylinder heads??? We have a member on here named Pat McCarthy, he's a bib block cylinder head whiz, hopefully he'll get on this post with some good options for you to consider!

i used that head on many engines head can be cut for 219 intakes and 188 ex i use a 502x11/32 . guides lets you use a 11/32 stem valve that and the 188 ex helps the flow on the heads .them heads can flow good . looking at the cam you have them heads stock with a 4angle valve job would be fine .what i post is what i do to them . that is far as i go before looking in to a after market head . for what your doing there is no need for that less you want a set of aluminum heads

I wonder if my machine shop would be up for that of modification. I will check that out. After market aluminum are a good option ?
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Originally Posted by Grumpys Hot Rod

I wonder if my machine shop would be up for that of modification. I will check that out. After market aluminum are a good option ?
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i can not see why i do them all the time . aluminum heads could be you have to watch the port CC runner size as most heads are base off a 454 or hi rpm smaller engine .put to big of a head on the 396/402 you will have a pig

Personally, I'd never use an extreme energy grind flat tappet cam in ANY motor and particularly not in a BBC.

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

i can not see why i do them all the time . aluminum heads could be you have to watch the port CC runner size as most heads are base off a 454 or hi rpm smaller engine .put to big of a head on the 396/402 you will have a pig

Just for my own knowledge Pat, would you be thinkin' around 290 cc's?

less for the street 402 is no more then a big size 400 sbc so you would not need a very big port. the 270 race rite heads at lower lifts flow good numbers and them may be to big for a mild 402

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Personally, I'd never use an extreme energy grind flat tappet cam in ANY motor and particularly not in a BBC.

i was not going to say any thing about the cam

So what cam should I be using ? Its new in the box may be return it, or sell it ?

well i use roller cams in most all bbc builds here is a cam to look at it fits in a 396 long as heads have not been milled alot or heavy deck block this cam fits this is a hyd roller Erson cam / McCarthy Performance custom @ .050 220/226 lobe sep 110 .550/560.. nice cam .

I don't have the experience that Pat or Tech has but will attest that the extreme energy(comp) or voodoo(lunati) have extrordinarily fast ramps. I have used 2 extreme energy flats and 1 voodoo in 3 different builds... 1 small block and 2 bigblocks. There is a noticeable valvetrain noise associated with the "more lift under the curve" cams. From the aricles i have read, they have more of a propensity for eating lifters. I used the comp pro magnum rolller rockers, EDM lifters ( for the two solids) and matching springs with special attention to installled height of springs and geometry. I break in the cam just as the cam manufacturer suggests and have been lucky so far with big blocks. I did wipe a 283 cam though. Like Pat suggests, if you plan on putting many reliable miles on it, go to roller.