JimV - Your picture brought back memories. I did the heads on a 7.4L in 1991. I had the pocket porting and valve job done professionally, but I wrecked a perfectly good electric drill enlarging the ports to large oval size at the gasket. I don't remember the flow numbers, but with an Edelbrock Performer intake and a 454 Magnum cam, the boat picked up 5 mph, so I figure those heads made just as much power as the rect ports on a 454 Magnum.

Tomcat

Man, your right on about the time/sweat to get those things into shape. A couple of years ago I started a set, they out flowed a set of rectangular ports to .550 with a 2.100 valve. I ended blowing a hole in the port trashing the head.

I really believe you could make a great 454 with these heads and the right cam intake combo.

Jim how much HP can I gain if we port my merlin ovals? and at about what price?

Dyno,

Bowl port intake, some chamber porting and full exhaust port $550.00 I would expect to see 40-50 hp gain depending on the camshaft

DYNO have JIM do it you won't be sorry. You will be happy with his work!!!