I'm slowing putting together a 360 and am thinking about the valves, valve spring, retainers and locks on my stock (1.88/1.60 valves) 596 heads. I do have new Comp Cam 926-16 springs for the heads and plan to use them for either cam I end up choosing, lifts range between .450 - .490 with 1.5 rocker ratio. I'll also be using an aftermarket rocker and shaft assembly, so lift will be fairly accurate. Horsepower should be ~350-375. Buying aftermarket heads for >$1500 isn't in the budget, so unless it's going to be cost prohibitive to use these 596 heads, I'm not considering aftermarket heads. I've searched this forum and read almost every thread on these heads. So here are some of the knowns:
1. Some have got great results using the 1.88/1.60 valves in professionally prepped heads.
2. I will mill these heads enough, depending on current cc size, to get minimum 9-1/9.5-1 compression. Intake face will be milled accordingly.
3. Others on this board have said they used this 926-16 spring with stock retainers.
4. I've backyard ported many iron heads and will blend the bowls and port the runners to remove flow restrictions.
5. I will get a good 3 or 5 angle valve job for performance.
Questions:
1. Is it worth the expense to install 2.02/05 valves for this build level? Doing so will require me to buy single groove retainers and locks, plus the valves and machine work
2. Should I buy new factory style locks if I keep the factory valves/retainers? Does aftermarket make hardened locks for the stock valves?
3. Anybody done this combination? Results?