If you want the biggest bump in compression while using the same pistons then taking 0.040" off the deck is better than 0.060 off the heads.
I̶r̶o̶n̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶d̶s̶ ̶k̶e̶e̶p̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶t̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶h̶a̶m̶b̶e̶r̶ ̶b̶e̶t̶t̶e̶r̶,̶ ̶a̶l̶u̶m̶i̶n̶u̶m̶ ̶w̶i̶c̶k̶s̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶s̶o̶ ̶a̶ ̶1̶0̶.̶2̶:̶1̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶I̶r̶o̶n̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶m̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶p̶o̶w̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶a̶l̶u̶m̶i̶n̶u̶m̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶s̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶h̶a̶m̶b̶e̶r̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶p̶o̶r̶t̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶a̶m̶e̶.̶.̶.̶ (I've just been told I am dead wrong here.) ;)
This last set of small block Edelbrock heads I just got are HORRENDOUS!!! The core shift makes the outer exhaust ports slightly into the gasket on the outsides. Then the amount of casting parting lines and the BOOGERS in the ports. The pressed in seats have about 1/16 to 3/32's ridge on the intakes that must be blended down.
My 2 cents worth... Spend that $2500 for the heads on a better cam and springs. Clean up the iron heads with just a slightly smaller than gasket match and blend the pockets after having the seats cut at a 3 angle 35/45/70 degrees. That bottom throat cut of 70 degrees will show how bad the pockets under the valves are.
There are 100,000's of Dodge 3.9 V6 and 5.2 V8 Cargo vans out there with non computer controlled 3 speed lock-up A998-A999's. These have the lower 2.74 first and 1.55 second gear. Put a small 'Trans-Go' shift kit for the lock-up trans and it will work well behind a warm 360.
We have a local torque converter shop that will cut that A999's converter open and add more stall. And he will replace the lock-up clutch to the A618 Diesel truck clutch.
Your 2.94:1 rear with the 2.74 first gear is like having 3.29:1's.... And compound that with the looser stall converter.....
