Here is a quote from Lars when I asked him about it:

Many years ago, I made the mistake of installing some pistons backwards. It did not work well at all, and I ended up doing a teardown to correct it.

The thought that a bunch of yahoos on a Forum think they know more about piston design than the engineers who design pistons is pretty absurd. Even when you have custom-made race pistons designed and built they are of the same basic design geometry with offsets and an oval cam-grind shape to compensate for asymmetrical expansion due to asymmetrical mass. There is a damned good reason the piston designers do not design the pistons to mimic a backwards-installed piston.

Yes, I saw that on Uncle Tony's garage. Lot's of wives tales floating around?

Glad to help out. Guess I'll head out and start taking all my engines apart so I can reverse the pistons in them. I was told on Trader Mikes long running thread that's they way you are supposed to do it. Put them in with the offset in the WRONG direction..........I didn't realize how bad I've been messing up all these years!......

Thank you very much Cliff, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Enjoy the day. Ty

Do NOT use a Thumper cam for any reason, they SUCK!

2801 Summit cams are good choices for 400 builds. At that compression ratio the 60916 is a good choice, but may also be difficult to obtain.....

Good afternoon Cliff, If you have a moment for a question that would be much appreciated. I am building a 400 with 9.5 compression, performer intake, #96 heads not ported, Hooker super comp headers, tkx 5 speed , 3.36 gear 66GTO. I had purchased a comp Thumpr hydraulic flat tappet and read your posts and would like to run a actual performance cam and thought the Crower 60242 or 60243 would fit the bill. Problem is there are none available. What would be a comparative type camshaft. Thank you for your time. Ty. Regina, SK, Canada

Thank you Cliff!!

I use and prefer the Crower HIPPO lifters for use on HR cams in these engines....

Good morning Cliff, hope all is well. I have finally got around to assembly of my 474 The last time we spoke you were helping me on camshaft selection. I decided on a Bullet Cams-hydraulic roller with 243/251 duration at .050. I need advice on which solid roller lifters to use, valve lash and if I need oil pinned lifters. Thanks again Cliff for all your expert help and advice.

Grind NO. PO 299/306-10HR
Intake Exhaust
Duration at .050 243 251
Lobe Lift .3677 .3680
Separation 110 OP-CL OP-CL
Timing Events @ .050. 15.5 47.5 59.5 11.5
Duration @ .006 299 306
Gross Valve Lift 1.5R 552 552
Gross Valve Lift 1.65R 607 607
Valve Lash (HOT) .000 .000
Degree Intake Lobe To 106

Michael, my emial is: cliffshp@embarqmail.com

If you have issues or need me to look at pics best to contact me there.....tks....Cliff