I think I'm going to build my first FE

[Chaplin]

Originally Posted by sideoiler10

I am currently running a set of old '68 Cobra Jet heads that have been ported/polished and fitted with 2.19 intake/1.75 exhaust valves.

Not sure what the cost to convert the valves would run but even the Edlebrock heads need the larger valves.

Good luck, Bob

Just one comment- If you have even a modestly sized cam (550/560 lift range), you cannot run the big 1.75 exhaust valves in a 428- the valves will hit the cylinder walls. The 1.75 valves were designed for the large bore 427 and will not work with the 428 unless it is bored within in inches of its life.

Jockey-
I understand your desire to build your own (I wanted to also, but realized that if I actually wanted to drive my car this decade, I better have someone put it together for me), but Sideolier is right. Parts are expensive and good original blocks are getting harder to find- you would be sick if, after going through the time and expese of putting it together and installing it in the car, something went wrong because of a "rookie mistake." As a compromise, you might look into the cost of having someone assembling a short block for you and you doing the rest.

Also, I agree with XLROR regarding the Edelbrock head- they offer a lot of advantages of factory heads, i.e., weight savings and ability to run slightly higher compression ratio. Plus, by the time you get done reconditioning your factory heads you will probably have spent at least half as much as the E-brocks would cost you. In addition, since you want to run a Hyd Roller, you will need to get new valve springs, retainers, etc. any way, so you might be better off buying the E-brocks unassembled and put them together yourself with the hardware necessary for the roller cam.