Hi Rick,
I guess one can say that I have been lucky. I purchased the heads bare and had my machinist smooth out the rough castings, pocket port and install the valves, spring cups, springs etc..... and turn down Manley Sever duty valves to 2.15 intake and 1.72 exhaust. I lightly match ported the intake but will probably remove it this winter and have it flow matched to my heads. My machinist is one of the best in the country IMO and I assemble my engines. It's been together for several years and nothing has happened except for a blown head gasket when I tried to squeeze a little NČO through the engine. My front wheels didn't come down until after the 60' lights!! then the head gasket let go. That was a few years ago. I mostly bracket race.
I've been researching information about Cobra Kit cars. I'm at a crossroads. Don't know if I should build a 557ci 385 series engine and continue drag racing or get a Cobra Kit car and install either my 427 for one of my 428's. I'll probably be asking many questions in the future as well as search for answers on this forum. My main concer right now is auto insurance, been reading posts about insruance lately.
I posted a picture of my Mustang in the photo gallery, still learing how this forum works.
Later
Damon