[cobrashoch]

Dave- I stand by what I said that Chysler withdrew the hemi from nascar. Hemigloblin(SP) rules were the result of the sohc Ford, true enough. I've talked to my father at lenth on this subject because at the time he wrenched on Buddy Bakers cars, Pettys team mate. I repeat- It was all about sponsorship money. Nascar really didn't want Chrysler out of it in 66 and today those rules are accredited with Chryslers exit in error. It's also true that Chrysler did comply with the new rules when they came back.(sorta like anyhow)
Are you telling me that the 396/427 is a evolution of the 409 and are similar? That def. is the "Chevy" brainwashing coming through bigtime. They are as different as night and day. I can't think of much off hand that is interchangable between early 65-396'sand the 64-409's, though I admit that I haven't built a 409 since the 70's somewhere. No way are they even close to each other though. Don't take my word though, ask any local mechanic.
Lets see- 385 rockers, Yes Cheby rockers sorta fit ,sorta sorta. In aftermarket Roller Rockers they fit a bit better, sorta,sorta. But they hit on the edge of the valve off center, causing premature wear and bent pushrods. That's why they have different part numbers for both. I know, my first first 460 suffered from both problems because I listened to a "Chevy" guy. Yes,he was wrong and so are you on this one.
About the hemi thing and Chevy copying from Chrysler. I re-checked my post above and yep it said polyspherical. Chryslers polyspherical head was a semi canted head that had a cross over
design to the early wedges. They sold them as hemis, and come to think of it they are still doing it in pro stock. The race hemis today in pro stock are closer to twisted wedges.
You may think that the 460 in your boat is a copy of the the BBC. You can't be any more wrong about that though. But you are in that same boat with a big bunch of other guys that think the same thing.
BTW - I'm more of a Chrysler Hemi guy. Drag raced my first one in 66 ala "pop" and had several of em. Been building rods since then too. New to the Ford game though, but I'm for sure not "pro Ford". But facts are facts, and the devil is getting his due.
I also disagree that "Practically any engine design can be built into a winner". What Kasse did was something special, and very, very hard to do. That level of devotion would have been wasted if he didn't have something worthwhile to work with in the first place.
Cobrashock