[bobcowan]

My engine is a 427 - only slightly larger than your 408. It puts 470 hp to the pavement, drives down the road happy as can be, and gets 20mpg on the freeway.

Heads: Dart Pro-1, essentially straight out of the box. I port matched them to the intake, hand lapped the valves, and installed COmp Cams beehive springs.

Cam: Off the shelf retrofit roller from Probe/Coast High, the last one one the list ( the "Biggest").

Lifters: Stock Ford with stock Ford spider and dog bones.