As some of you know, I've been slowly building a big block 66 Dart. The car will eventually have a hot 470ci in it. But to get it back on the road, I've got a 400 that a buddy gave me that I'll be using temporarily - while I build the 470. After popping the heads off and taking some measurements, I've found that this turd 400 has a whopping 7.4:1 compression ratio w/ the 906 heads, .039" thick gasket, and stock height .030" over pistons .120" in the hole.
Without going crazy and completely rebuilding this 400 with new pistons, can you recommend any worthwhile low-buck improvements that would boost performance a smidge.
Since this engine is just a temporary deal, I'm inclined to just lap the valves, install a new timing chain, bolt on the heads, and call it good. Is a low buck cam upgrade worthwhile? Maybe advance the hell out of it?
