Valve spring limitations vs Cam selection

JoePole1 said
The front end of my build is another unknown at this point due to the fact that I am running AC and for serp I would need a 1 year only 91 5.9 Dakota AC/ALT bracket with the LA style intake I am using. I will most likely stay with LA front because I already have it but I do like the idea of the serpentine set-up.

I like the idea of the KB362's and a mid 9 CR with some quench and minimal rod work. Again.....My machinist has a good rep with piston mfg's and is digging into options as well. Unfortunately there aren't that many for Magnum 360. As far as removing piston and rod mass and messing with external balancing....I have no clue as to how you would know when you are back IN balance and feel that is better left to professionals and that is not me for sure.

Also. I am aware of the lifter preload change and I will be using a checking pushrod to measure and order a new set.

Good deal, JP1. I'll be interested to hear what other pistons may work..... always something to learn. I did look at SRP's and nothing better there.

As 'for getting back in balance', that is indeed for the machinist to do. But what I always like to do is understand the balance situation & bobweights up front and then I can come up with a plan for the balance work that will be easy and straightforward for the machinist, and will get you there with least cost. That is where I am heading with the suggestions offered: make it so the machinist just has to take weight off of the external parts or the main counterweights of the crank to get it there, and not have to add weight.

If it helps, here is some more detail:

The 362's are so close to the stock bobweight that it ought to just take a touch of work on the main crank counterweights to achieve the primary balance with the stock Magnum damper and flexplate (or TC)weights. In reality , they are so close you would very, very probably have a 'within-factory-tolerance' balance just to leave it as-is. )It would only be 'out' if the rods or crank were on the edge of balance tolerances to start with.)
The Icon 742's are a bit heavier but not all that far off of factory 5.9L Magnum bobweight. From my own data, the factory 5.9L Magnum bobweight is nominally 2004 grams. If you put in these Icons, then the bobweight becomes 2066 grams nominal. That is too far off for even factory balance tolerance, so you need to add some weight somewhere.... either with heavy metal in the crankshaft or with more external weight in front and back. The LA360 external weights are already heavier than the Magnum external weights and should be more than enough external weight to make this work. So you would start with those LA parts and take off some of that external weight to get to balance. Or, you can even use the LA parts unmodified and take the weight off of the crankshaft counterweights. (which makes it easy-peasy for the machinist....) You can even do this with the B&M flexplate for the LA360 and make it work.

Boy, I hope that makes some sense! It all works in my head LOL, and I've been down a similar road with figuring up how to manage balance with similar weight changes, and it was no problemo in execution at the shop.