I get what your saying and understand. My point is, the "experts" will conflict/contradict each other on something that really isn't a deal breaker at all for the OP's build. Tell me, do you feel "more wiser" when somebody says "static of no more than 8.1" and the next says "naw, I run 8.8 all the time and no issues". You can read this and you know which one is right? Look, the OP wants to throw some freshened 360 heads on a 318 with a mild cam, 4bbl, and some street pistons. Put it together, and if she's a little fussy on todays gas (i'm betting not), pull a few degrees of timing out. If she is doing great, pull the timing up till it's happy! this isn't that difficult. When some of the "experts" get done, it don't seem safe to build an engine. You think Chrysler cc'd every head, measured every piston in the hole and every deck height? I'm not saying these things aren't good, i'm saying don't spend 1189 dollars and 27 cents to go from a 7.9 to ones "opinion" of a desired 8.2... LOL.