440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
#1365525
01/06/13 10:39 PM
01/06/13 10:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
OP
Circle Track
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OP
Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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A good friend wants to purchase a stroker kit from them. Their site says the quality/meticulousness they incorporate is second to none. I want to have it checked out by a local machinist who is also a perfectionist but that of course will be extra $$$ that he will have to expend. What do YOU guys suggest. Thank you for your time.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: bobs66440]
#1365528
01/06/13 11:19 PM
01/06/13 11:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,675 Columbia, CT
moper
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,675
Columbia, CT
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So far no kit I've used from Source has been ready to run. Admittedly I haven't used one in a couple years. But the cranks are usually within factory tolerances for taper and clearances. But they have taper and the clearances will vary journal to journal. The rods - they will need the big ends re-sized once the bolts are cycled with the right lubricant (the factory does not use the ARP lube so they are not torqued properly when finish machined). The pin ends will need honed and against the advice of the manifacturer - sand paper is not the way to do it. In terms of balancing - the rods in total are weight matched. However, when it's balanced the ends are weighed seperately - and every set has needed the rods worked to get them truly weight matched. The best part of the kits are the pistons. Which are pretty good over all.
Well, art is art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water! And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now, uh... Now you tell me what you know.
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1365532
01/07/13 12:21 AM
01/07/13 12:21 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,318
Manitoba, Canada
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Quote:
Alright I will insist that he go the extra $$$ & have it checked out especially since I will be responsible for the final assembly/breakin/tune up/how it performs/longevity. Thanks guys
Then I would definitely insist he ponys up the $ to have it checked by a pro. How would you feel if it flew apart, ate a bearing or whatever and your buddy looks at you...
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#1365534
01/07/13 12:43 AM
01/07/13 12:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
OP
Circle Track
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OP
Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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He'd do more than look at me plus I'd have to refund what I'm gonna charge him for assembly and there'd be no future work & my rep around town would suffer & I would feel extremely bad & that's why I'm insisting that a local machinist check everything. Yeah I believe half of what I see and none of what I hear but he was taken by their glowing verbiage on their site & we've went around & around on this for several weeks finally I said I'll check in with the guys for a second opinion. Now that I have it I'll for sure insist that it go to one of the 2 local shops
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1365537
01/07/13 01:40 AM
01/07/13 01:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 765 Vancouver, WA
Cuda Cody
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 765
Vancouver, WA
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I was happy with their product and the quality.
1970 Challenger T/A 4-Speed 1970 Challenger T/A 4-Speed 1970 Challenger T/A Auto 1970 Challenger R/T Auto 1970 Challenger Auto 1970 Challenger RT 440+6 4-Speed 1970 Challenger RT 440+6 4-Speed 1970 Hemi Challenger 4-Speed 1970 Hemi Cuda 4-Speed 1971 Cuda Auto 1971 Cuda 4-Speed LOOKING to BUY 1970 & 1971 E Body J, V and R Code project cars
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1365538
01/07/13 03:41 AM
01/07/13 03:41 AM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399 Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar
master
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master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
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When I measured my 4.25" stroker kit, The weights were very close to what I measured with a bobweight difference of less than 1 gram. I also checked the rod big ends with a bore gauge for roundness and taper when torqued with ARP Ultra lube, and they checked out fine. These were the older "I" beam rods, with the ARP2000 bolts, so I don't know if the "H" beam rods may be different? I would not say the kits are perfect, and the bearing clearances are a bit tight for a race engine (around 0.002"), but are fine for a street engine.
I have my 4.15 stroker apart and the machine shop had this "balanced", but I am going to have it re-checked because the engine was not real smooth, and I will deepen the valve pockets on the pistons. I am curious if the machine shop may have made the balance worse?
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: 451Mopar]
#1365539
01/07/13 09:25 AM
01/07/13 09:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345 Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
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having the parts checked out is always a good idea no matter who you use.
I have a 440 source kit and it runs great. 535 tq/505 hp in a 383 block, it had 4500 street miles before I pulled it out of the truck, and now it's sitting awaiting for a refreshen and to be placed in the cuda when the time comes.
**Photobucket sucks**
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1365540
01/07/13 10:51 AM
01/07/13 10:51 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,094 A Banana Republic near you.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,094
A Banana Republic near you.
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Quote:
Alright I will insist that he go the extra $$$ & have it checked out especially since I will be responsible for the final assembly/breakin/tune up/how it performs/longevity. Thanks guys
Tell him to save his money and just have the local guy balance it and not pay the source for it ????
oh wait , let me guess , you can only buy their kits balanced ...
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: JohnRR]
#1365541
01/07/13 11:29 AM
01/07/13 11:29 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,159 Mass
DAYCLONA
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,159
Mass
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Quote:
Quote:
Alright I will insist that he go the extra $$$ & have it checked out especially since I will be responsible for the final assembly/breakin/tune up/how it performs/longevity. Thanks guys
Tell him to save his money and just have the local guy balance it and not pay the source for it ????
oh wait , let me guess , you can only buy their kits balanced ...
I just purchased an Eagle stroker kit, machine shop had to rebalance the entire assy, and the oil seal journal wasn't even close,...so it dosen't matter who/what name is on the work/box, it pays to have it checked...
Mike
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Re: 440 source stroker kit/balancing quality
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1365543
01/07/13 12:46 PM
01/07/13 12:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,094 A Banana Republic near you.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,094
A Banana Republic near you.
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Quote:
I'm convinced & I needed some backup on this. You know how customers are about spending money twice & this guy is a friend. Thanks again guys
He may be a friend but don't short change yourself, if something goes wrong with the engine who is going to be the warranty station, if its you are you getting enough to be the warranty station ?
I stopped doing stuff like that for friends because I'm not getting paid enough to have to pay out of my pocket to redo something I have no control over how it is being treated.
Plus when it comes to money you'll see how good a friend the person really is ...
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