Just a thought... you don't need to pull the pump all the way out, just enough to clear the gear. Maybe 1/2-1" ? However thick the gear is.

Agree totally with taking the engine out for the cam swap. I reckon you could do it but gee it would be tight and not optimal.

I do have a another head that has just been redone. 0.03" off the head with 56cc chambers, hardened valve seats, no pocket porting and stock size valves. This should drop the CR down to around 9.4. This probably my best interim option.

My specs are as follows...

0.06" bore (232.7ci)
0.1" removed of block
0.06" removed of head
9.87:1 comp
comp cams 264s solid cam
pocket port cylinder heads with 1.7"in & 1.44" ex stainless valves and V8 springs
hi-tec extractors (headers) into 2.25" single exhaust system
stock two barrel intake and carter 2bbl carby
HEI Electronic ignition conversion & re-curved distributor
runs on 98 octane


Cyl Bore Diameter 3.46 in.
Eng Stroke 4.125 in.
Number of Cyl 6.
Combustion Chamber Volume 52 cc.
Piston Crown to Block Deck Face 0.080 in.
Piston Valve Relef Volumes 0 cc.
Compressed Gasket Thickness 0.040 in.
Gasket Average Bore Diameter 3.525 in.
Piston Dome Volume 0 cc.
Piston Dish Volume 0 cc.
Outside Diameter of the Piston at Top Land 3.428 in.
Dimension Piston Crown to Top Ring Groove 0.326 in.

Engine Capacity 3813.462 cc. or 232.712 ci.
Compression Ratio 9.8716:1

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Love cruising in a bare metal Val!

That would be a better option to get the CR where the Comp stick wants to operate best.