Re: rebuilding a 470
What were you thinking of doing, buying a single Edelbrock head for a 460 Ford application? (as it is a big block Ford head that's used)
Would it work and run? I'd imagine so. But, you'd likely LOOSE low end power as the Edelbrock head probably has larger ports for more airflow (less velocity at low RPM) and then the lack of cam selection to compliment the incresed airflow on top would kinda make it a wash.
We seem to have a bunch of 470 haters here don't we!
Have a couple friends with 'em, yeah, they have quirks as all engines do, but they are no more un reliable than anything else. One friend has one in a 1979 Baja that was left stuck, he freed it up and put one sleeve and piston in it (he has access to the machine and did the work himself) and another has a pair of them in an '84 or so 30' Sea Ray with Alpha one drives. He's been working on Mer Cruisers for about thirty years and he ain't scared of 'em!