Thanks to all who have PMed and responded.
It was greatly appreciated.
FWIW:
After some deliberation and research, I've ended up opting for solid rollers.
Why? Here's my logic:
1. The "professionals" prefer them for their builds.
a) KC used them for his personal Kirkham
Finish my engine for Kirkham
b) Barry uses them in his grocery shopping Torino (as per earlier in this thread Post #55 & #60).
c) last but not least - Brent mentioned he prefers them for his builds, and particularly recommends them for non daily drivers.
2. It suits my combination of parts better.
Accordong to Jay Browns book the TW was still pulling when most others had maxed out.
The Hydraulic rollers will quit just as the tunnel wedge would wake up.
To paraphrase Blair Patrick from Fordfe - "it's all about the combo combo combo."
3. Power and RELIABILITY will still be there!
The only thing that's changed is the cost.
...and while it will cost a little more, it is a better principle to over engineer this, than to skimp or compromise and risk valves kissing pistons. In the big scheme of things though the cost is not excessively more, and IMHO worth doing.
4. Despite peak numbers being higher drive-ability should remain the same
...particularly in the "range" that I mostly intend to use it.
I conclude this by attributing the extra HP to the extra Rpm.
Driving below 4k the engine should more or less drive much the same.
There just won't 50hp difference at 1/4 throttle, particularly if the car is cammed relatively the same.
The cubic inches doesn't just increase the max power numbers, if I understand it right, that's just a bi-product of allowing the engine to behave more respectably at low rpm with the same sized cam.
Now if there are flaws in my logic... Meh...
You live and learn, and so far this is what I've learned.
Thx again.
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