Chuck, I didnt read it as a cheap shot on BJR. I read it more of a "different stroke for different folks" type deal. I too feel BJRs package is very well thought out. And IMO his skill and willingness to share knowledge should not be questioned. People disagree on things, but thats life. My take is that not everyone has the skills that a BJR has, and sometimes advice we read about that works for one, doesnt work for another.
I know a Stock Eliminator guy, and he's had a bunch of national records with his Ford. There is no question he has a huge wealth of info about how engiens work, and how to make them exceed what they are supposed to. But he paid me to re-ring his EFI escort because he wasn't familiar enough in his own mind with it to get it right.
Another thing, and I find myself caught in this sometimes.. we may say "do this" because WE routinely get stuff for a discounted rate. Like cleaning and magnafluxing things. I didnt pay for that for years. So I would have to remind myself that I had to account for those charges when I tell a guy "It only cost me $X for this block". Because when he went to his local guy, he would be charged. And leaving out that detail makes things sound better than they may end up being for him, in his locality. Now, in terms of the 302 heads, I have a bunch. Same with several sets of Magnums. So saying "do them up" sounds great. I have them, they were cleaned and magged before. So there is no difference in cost between them, and a similarly prepared core set of J heads. Except it would take more work by a paid guy to get the same flow numbers. The valves, springs, keepers, retainers, guides, seats, seals, and machining are all the exact same price. You can get 1.88,1.94, 2.02, or 2.05 stainless valves for roughly the same cost. Within a few dollars anyway. So it's 302s that cost $800, or Js that cost $800, and will support a bigger engine later, or this engine in a wilder form. Except you still have to go buy whatever other option you choose...lol. It's nice to see a lively debate. But when push comes to shove, every single engine is unique. And there aren't that many guys who've run all the possibilities (myself included) that could really help out in that kind of debate. It's easy to recommend exactly what one did for themselves and it worked. It's much harder to try and interpret what is given for info, and recommend something that maybe didnt work on your engine, but will on thiers.
