Compression Ratio & Rebuilding

[Ken & Tracie <kjosephson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello All,

I would appreciate your opinions, thoughts and experiences with rebuilding a 
late 1960s 440 for use with today's gasoline.

I plan to go with the necessary modifications to accommodate unleaded gasoline. 
But what about the compression ratio? Will the currently available 91 octane 
"premium" grade work in a  '68 or '69 440 rebuilt to stock specifications? Or 
should I have my machinist take the steps required to drop the compression 
ratio to
9:1? I know about the tricks such as retarding the timing or using a water 
injection system. But I also know that some older engines can be modified with 
different distributor advance curves and/or cam shafts with different lift and 
duration specs to allow older engines to retain their original performance
characteristics with a lower compression ratio.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Ken Josephson
'68 Crown Four Door Hardtop