Original Message
You may have some
By Dave Shoe - 02/07/2004 9:43:35 AM; IP 216.243.176.34
Those hookers do NOT port match the exhaust ports on the C8AE-H heads you've got. If you are experiencing exhaust leaks along the bottom of the port, or if you hear popping when you take your foot off the gas during a decelleration, it's because the header flange weld bead is not crushing the gasket properly, since the exhaust port on most 1966-76 FE heads is 1/4" or so lower than on 1958-65, CJ, C6AE-R, 427, and Edel heads. Hooker Supercomps were developed for the latter type.

The mismatch also costs horsepower. It's my opinion that if you redrill the bolt holes in the Hookers to lower the headers on the head by half the mismatch, you'll have great gasket crush and will notably improve performance by reducing turbulents at the mismatch. It'll only cost one new set of Hooker gaskets, which leaves about $480.00 for your other goodies.

With a 650 carb, it sounds like you've got the updates well balanced. Be certain the rockers clear the valve spring retainers, and that you don't have coil-bind issues with the higher lift. Stock valve retainers are unsuitable, and this may require new valves if you can't find locks compatible with the stock valve locking grooves.

If you want to rev, the faster ramps of modern cams suggest you may also want to consider rocker end supports to help prevent excessive flexing of the rockershaft at the end positions. Also, if the engine has worn cylinders, it likely still has a cylinder ridge at the top. With increased revs, the piston rings may tend to butt harder against the ridge, resulting in ring-land damage to the cast pistins. It's not necessarily fatal if caught soon, so be aware of any unusual smoking or blowby increases, as it might suggest it's time for the next overbore size.

I'm offing both good and bad advice here, since I'm more of an FE trivia nut than an engine builder, so use with care.

Shoe.
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Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=20099&Reply=20099><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor20099" onclick="return false;">I have $500 to spend on my 390 Tell me what to buy</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Steve M, <i>02/07/2004</i></font><script type="text/javascript">
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 I have $500 to spend on my 390 Tell me what to buy -- Steve M, 02/07/2004
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=20100&Reply=20099><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor20100" onclick="return false;">Here is the setup also.</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Steve M, <i>02/07/2004</i></font><script type="text/javascript">
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 Here is the setup also. -- Steve M, 02/07/2004
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=20101&Reply=20099><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor20101" onclick="return false;">I forgot to say it already has hooker headers</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Steve M, <i>02/07/2004</i></font><script type="text/javascript">
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 I forgot to say it already has hooker headers -- Steve M, 02/07/2004
Collapse <b>You may have some</b>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dave Shoe, <i>02/07/2004</i></font>You may have some -- Dave Shoe, 02/07/2004
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=20114&Reply=20099><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor20114" onclick="return false;">Thanks for the info on the exhaust leak</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Steve M, <i>02/07/2004</i></font><script type="text/javascript">
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 Thanks for the info on the exhaust leak -- Steve M, 02/07/2004
 I'm not a cam wiz. -- Dave Shoe, 02/08/2004
 RE:Lunati & others -- McQ, 02/08/2004
 RE: I have $500 to spend on my 390 Tell me what to buy -- giacamo, 02/09/2004
 RE: I have $500 to spend on my 390 Tell me what to buy -- galaxie390, 02/10/2004
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