I'm running a stroked 340 (419) with a 727 trans and totally agree with some of the guys on here about running an aluminum head. With a 408 cu in motor you have to consider this is basically a big block. Stock heads ports will be way to small for the air that the bottom end will be wanting. I have Hughes Edelbrock heads with 2.08 intake, stage 3 porting and the car runs the quickest ET's when the car is shifted between 5800-6000 rpms. I'm running a Hughes flat tappet cam STL6468AS with 1.6 Hughes lifters with 264 deg duration on intake and .660" of lift, 13.0-1 compression. If I set the shift points at 6200 rpm the car runs slower. The head ports are still not big enough if your looking for higher rpm's. I am not, I always shifted my car at 5800 - 6000 rpm's and I get over 10 years on a motor easily, then I rebuild them to rebuild them. Use a good race oil. Driven GP1 or Brad Penn. Got my stroker set up from Ohio Crankshaft, Scat crank, Diamond pistons, Scat H-beam rods and Clevite bearings.