In my nearly 30 years of boat ownership I have never had a boat that would run faster than 50 mph.  It did pull up 5 skiers at once tho.  It continues to run trouble free with over 500 hours.  Oil has been changed very seldom. Cavitated and redlined often cuz that's what stupid teen drivers do.  Its a gas sipper to boot!   400 SBChevy doesn't get the rep it deserves.  No one EVER complained we didn't go fast enuf.  No one EVER said they didn't have fun enuf.  Put a bunch of chrome on it if it make you feel better but git it done.  Gas ain't getting any cheaper 

Ok im going ahead with the build, now i have done some researching and even if i change my cam i have to match it with  springs or it is a waiste of time eventually i will flatten the cam or worse float/suck a valve.

So i have another set of better flowing heads with the same size valves in my peanut heads, see were im going with this? I need to match the springs to the cam, i found everything i need @ Summit
Cant i just take out my valves and swap them over to the other heads, yes i know another valve job is required... But it would give me better flow and i would not have to worry about building another engine for awhile......bigger flowing heads and a better intake.... I can do this and get it ready in about a month..
2sav

Only if you are running a loose impellor. If you are running an A2 or something, you'll probably slow it down. Increased flow helps at the upper RPM, hurts at the lower RPM. So, depending on what you are running for the ret of the combo, it might be better to use the good intake with the small port heads.

Im running a "B" cut impeller  so im thinking i need the rpm's as high as i can get em..

2sav

valve job is easy ,if you want the same springs summit sells as house brand search e bay for falcon global they are in florida and sell complete kits spring retainers and keeper packs for cheap I use alot of their stuff and have never had a problem,sure you can swap valves as long as you have the same size valve stems some of the peanut heads used on trucks and heavy duty apps had sodium filled stems and are bigger than conventional valve stems thats the only difference there one is 5/16 the other is 3/8 stem. if you want specific info pm me I am a long time head porter and have tons of stuff laying around.....piston swapping 454 are factory externally balanced the main difference between the cast and forged pistons is the clearance forged pistons grow more than cast and a hell of alot more than those hyperpathetic pistons as I like to call them a cast piston is about 80 grams less than a forged and I wont even compare to the hyperpathic the forged piston is denser than the cast and will stand up to way more abuse ie...pre ignition and or detonation as well as extreme rpm and lean jetting ,the cast piston cylinder wall clearance is about 1and a half thou to about three thou while the forged is 3 and a half to up to six thou sometimes more cast will live a happy life without mondo rpm and excessive timing also lean is mean so watch the jetting of the carb and you will be fine hope this helps..........

I think cast pistons are a good choice for what you are doing.

Well were going to find out... 429heads is going to do up my spare set of heads real nice for me. So now im going to have more flow with bigger ports and SS valves , should i ditch the performer intake now?
Hhhmmm.

2sav

Hey Steve, time to pull that bottom end apart and find out if everything's cool down there. I just took mine down tonight to freshin up before Parker and didn't like what I had seen..... yea I know, MORE work 

Yeah i was thinking the same thing but, i dont have no calipers or doo hicky's or even any thingy ma bobs to check it with

I have a feeling my clearance's wont be right and i will have to tear it all down and do it over....If thats the case,new pistons will be in order

Im beginning to hate being a boat owner   Its like paying for something you cant even use

2sav

Hey Steve, time to pull that bottom end apart and find out if everything's cool down there. I just took mine down tonight to freshin up before Parker and didn't like what I had seen..... yea I know, MORE work 

I say unless you hear a knockin, or your oil pressure is 20lb at 6000 RPM, slap it in and go. The worst that will happen is it will blow up - and you'll have to put in the engine you were building for it ANYWAY>>>>

Everyone struggling for perfection is the surest way of never enjoying it!

C'mon Speedy - help 2Sav out. Build him an Olds so he can get back on the water. 

Marc and I had a complete drop in and go factory high compression 180 lbs per cylinder 455 Olds but...

Yeah and i also had the Omega at the time too    BUT!!  things change

2sav

C'mon Speedy - help 2Sav out. Build him an Olds so he can get back on the water. 

OK, Already done. Ready to go 455 olds sitting here in the garage for you. :-)