They go to .040 not .053. I ran my 340 with the 484 cam, open chamber Eddy heads with the .028 thin Mopar gaskets and 3.73 gears and it was perfect on the street using pump gas. So if I were you that would be a good way to go for your dad.Get the quench at a comfortable number and dont use the smaller 441 cam and he will like it just fine!!