360 performance tips

Hey there, I've got 1976 dodge street van with a factory 360,727 torqueflite and a 9.25 suregrip out back with 3.23 gears.The engine has  good compression on all cylinders.I need some suggestions on really waking up this 360.I already have a set of J heads with 1.88intake and 1.60 exhaust valves.I need to change the timing chain,so I'm going to change the cam as well.I'd like to keep the van streetable for cruising but I would like to get as much performance as I can without going into mods for transmission and drive train.Any suggestions on making this short wheel base van a screamer would be greatly appreciated.Part numbers for camshafts and other engine conponents would be great.Thanks  

of course, you can't go wrong with a carb/cam/headers and a little head work.  you'd be surprised how far that actually goes.  maybe replace the fan with an electric unit and call it a day.  it'll definitely move with those upgrades.  

How tired are your valve springs and stem seals?
old seals many times do not like additional travel/ lift
flat tappet hyd cam?
you have
stock low compression? (keep the duration and overlap down)
stock converter? (and 3.23 gears keep the duration down)
stock lousy combustion chamber?  no quench!
I use 254 @006, 204 @.050  .305 cam  lift on the intake
exhaust depends on headers or not, usually a little longer with about the same lift so the springs set up the same
112 LCA or 114 if you have to pass smog
If you have the heads off just blend the bowels
if you need new valves go slightly bigger and cut to a corresponding slightly larger 30 degree seat on the intakes  the old 45 degree seat angle becomes the next multi angle and you can use a 60 or 70 degree cutter to open up the throats SLIGHTLY before you blend
you can back cut the valves
There are roller timing chains available
a set of magnum style closed chamber heads would really help and not much more money than going through the stock smogger early 360's
Think real hard before you put any money into the stock heads
ps
I have a 15 passenger 78 maxivan with a 440, dual air, tilt wheel
440 runs the same cam grind as above, 67 915 heads with Motorhome valves, +10 deck
cheers  

You didn't say what the cranking compression is. But it should be over 160psi.If your changing the heads make sure the rings can take an update.

Comp Cams has 2 Cam kits I saw that you would not have to make any changes to your trans etc.

CompCams P/N 20-221-3 Grind P/N XE256H My first choice....
Strong torque, low end and mid-range power, and a good idle.
1000-5200RPM .212/.218 Duration @.050 .447/.455 max lift.
110* lobe seperation 106* intake valve center/line.COMPLETE KIT-K20-221-3

CompCams P/N20-220-3 Grind P/N XE250H My second choice....
Very strong torque, excellent mileage. smooth idle.
800-4800RPM .206/.212 Duration @.050 .434/.444 max lift.
110*lobe seperation 106*intake valve center/line.COMPLETE KIT-K20-220-3

Call them or go on line to see what the complete kit has. Good luck...

Bob