Optimum setup for 302 heads

I am building almost the exact same combo for my 65. I have been kicking around the idea of running 1.94/1.60 "nailhead" type valves (or Chevy type valves if ya wanna get picky). The nailhead profile, more than the smaller guide really help low lift flow. Just what you want in a small cube, mild cam engine. It seems to me the overall length of the valves is similar, and retainer/spring combos are an easier mix-and-match with the GM valve, and stainless valves are cheaper that way. This used to be an Old School trick with 340's. I'd love to see some numbers directly comparing the tulip vs. nailhead valves. On a 318 I'm not sure you really gain anything past the 1.88 intake due to valve shrouding, but again I'd love to see a flow comparison between 1.74/1.88/1.60 valves in a 3.940" bore with a similar level of porting.

A few years back Mopar Performance sold these heads ported with 1.88/1.60 (stock 360) valves. In the 90's most of the car mags ran articles using these heads, 9-something to 1 compression and the old 280/.474 cam and usually got well over 350 Hp out of the combo.