Second reply to 454 build-up
 

Thank you guys for the comments and suggestions. To answer the question of piston part numbers, I was going to use Speed Pro L2465F , but Ihave chosen L2399F with floating pin instead of pressed, as mine currently are. As far as the heads go, they are 1974 truck style large oval port with 109cc open chambers. There are two sets of numbers under valve covers, 336781 and B28-74. Are these the ID numbers? If so , are these heads a good choice over the Peanut heads the engine originally had(Not shure of cc in chambers)? The original heads had both, IN and EX valve rotators. New heads have only EX rotators. Ialso swiched out the valves (1974 valves did not look so good). Pistons that I was going yo use had 10.6-1 L2465F, pistons I am going to use have 9.4-1 ratio, wich like everyone said , is more logical for pump gas. Just have to get rods machined for floating pin.

Don't really need the floating pins.

You only need the rods reworked cause you are going to put ARP bolts in them...

HELLO, I am ordering the pistons from Doug Herbert and they do not offer my 9.4-1 ratio piston with pressed pin . only floating. If I order elsewhere, about 600.00 . Doug Herbert about 400.00. What is cost of machining rods for floating pin? Just had resized with new rod bolts. Also going to use Speed Pro plasma - moly rings.

jw, I built the same motor you are. 2399 pistons 049 heads instead of 781's. I put 2.19 intake and 1.88 exhaust valves in mine. If you do this make sure to use hardened seats. I did a single angle valve job because the seat is what cools the valve and I just felt like it was better for longevity. Just a little bowl work on exhaust side. I also used the merc 420 cam, Edelbrock RPM intake 850 holley and Stainless Marine exhaust. They ran great. Idled all day no load up pulled hard all the way thru powerband. Hope this helps.
Mike
Also the B28-74 is casting date, Feb 28,1974

Just because the piston has grooves for pin retainers you do not have to float the pins. Just assemble as normal and LEAVE THE RETAINERS OUT. Sorry for shouting but it would be ugly if you put them in with a pressed pin.

JW454, you need to measure the chamber volume of your heads. You can't be guessing at this. CC'ing chamber volume is easy to do and will allow you to select the proper piston without guessing.
TRW/SpeedPro offers quite a wide selection of pistons and if Herbert says they don't offer the ones you want find someone that will. You can buy the L2399F from Jeg's and Summit for 400 bucks, and probably less than that from reputable sellers on E-Bay. The L2465F is $320 in Jeg's. And MBAM is correct when he says you don't need to run full floaters in these pistons. If you want to that's fine but the piston doesn't care whether the pin is floating in the rod or pressed.
Here's another tip: make sure your machine shop is qualified to do the work you're asking of them. If you have any doubts the members here will be more than happy to steer you to some shops that will get the job done. Believe me when I say that you only want to spend this money once, not twice.