As some of you all know,I ran a compression test last week and one cylinder in each bank came up very low. I oiled the cylinders,retested em and the numbers didnt change. The truck is WAY down on power and the fuel mileage SUCKS.

I took the truck on its maiden voyage today and it ran well,when you consider the condition of the engine/valves,and the ignition issue I posted about earlier(which for now has resolved itself )It did ok except I had to keep my foot in it,and thus it used a BUNCH of fuel.

So im trying to work a deal with someone to swap an open C Body 8-3/4 Rear end for a set of 452 heads someone has offered.

What heads would be best for my stock 400? Are 452 heads a good choice? The person making the offer says he also has a few other sets available.

516 close chambers will add about .6 cr and give more bottom end grunt than open chambers

Get a set of 915 heads if you can. They have the smaller chambers of the 516 but a better flowing exhaust valve.

But that said, the 452's will do you just fine. They're a garden variety head, but they have hardened valve seats from the factory and they do the job. All the stock big block heads flow basically the same, so it doesn't make a huge difference. Just get whatever's in the best shape.

If you can get good 516s REASONABLY they would raise your compression and since your 400 is not hi perf the small exh valve would not hinder anything. 516s do not have hardened seats.