[Gach]

Originally Posted by 1969GPSJ

Thanks for the Reply Cliff! Your replies pretty much put together all of the pieces that others had mentioned, and likely helped me come up with an improved "anti knock" interim plan for my 428. The pros vs the cons of thicker head gaskets discussion helped. I am going to change the cam, so far I am leaning in the direction of the 744 or 041 cam. The 068 just seems a little too light, and I really liked a crane cams (RIP) energizer 288 that I used many years ago - it was kind of in between the 744 and 041 spec wise. The heads have to come off anyway, so I'll change the springs, upgrade the studs to BBC style studs, add an adjustable valve train, and that should suffice until I do my more extensive engine build. By the way, Cliff, look at my reply to 242177P's post and you will see why I had thought that the 428 HO pistons were supposed to be flat tops (without the dish). '69 Service manual led me astray - check page 6-40. Thanks go to Cliff, HWYSTR455, Gach, and everyone else who contributed to this thread!

Very good plan.