Idle went nuts.

I pulled the intake valves from #s 1 and 3 (exhaust valves won't come out - does this mean the valve guides have been "knurled"?). Valves don't look too thrashed. There are a few little marks on the #1 intake valve seat but nothing too awful.

MOPAROFFICIAL said

Does it look cracked ?
The head/rod are stronger than the nut.
Go ahead and have it checked, I mean.. it would be a great time to re con it if the valves are low set, sunk anyhow.You're just a drive away from a shop at this point.
Oh and think hard on if you are going to stick with a slant before dumping money into big valves and the porting to make them work.

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I do not see any cracks. It will go to the machinist for checking tomorrow. So don't bother trying to pull the pistons to check?

MOPAROFFICIAL: It's a really good point you make about dropping $ on the six. On one hand, it's kind of a cool engine (I think) and it's not gutless or anything. And my Duster is where I've been concentrating on power and speed. On the other hand, I'm building a 360 for the Duster, which would leave me with a decent 318 that could go in the Barracuda. But then I'd have to deal with a transmission and probably a rear end. Argh!

By the way... anyone who has read some of my posts may come to the conclusion that I am, in fact, an idiot. Believe it or not, there is nowhere else in my life where these kind of incredibly dumb and costly mistakes happen. Yet I love these cars and cannot give up what has become the most satisfying and fun thing going.

Thank you, in any event, for your help. Will update when I have more information