Beautiful engine
My typical builds are all about being nearly Mx free, any fuel in a pinch, and power matching end use.
FYI, I do a CnC block map and square deck, torque plate hone, main alignment and torque plate valve job.
Internals will be a custom hydraulic roller, 1/1/2mm ring pack, coated mains and rods, and balanced to the new parts. Bronze guides, Viton seals and an undercut stem 11/32 valve
I have had very good results with factory 1.73 rockers on CJ cars, Harland Sharp shafts and Precision
Oil Pump stands and studs with hydraulic rollers, makes an adjustment free setup. Although I may reuse the Harland Sharp rollers or maybe a set of Ersons I have, we'll see
Sorry if this sounds like an advertisement, but I do quite a few for the CJ guys and it's been coming together very well.
That combo in a 428 CJ makes 450-480 HP with a iron CJ intake, with a medium riser head and medium riser dual quad it'll likely be closer to 505-515.
I really like the Tunnel Wedge that is currently on it for this application, soften the bottom a little, but it's been polished and not the look I am looking for under the hood.
Great point on the power to weight ratio...pretty wild and different than the Mustang world for sure!