Truck 440 build recipe
#558565
12/20/09 04:00 PM
12/20/09 04:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,481 Mesa, AZ
Pat_Whalen
OP
super gas
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OP
super gas
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,481
Mesa, AZ
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Trying to do my first 440 buildup. This will also be the first engine I've ever put together my own shopping list for and I could use a little help to make sure I'm not wasting money with mismatched parts. With that said, the engine is going in an 80 ramcharger with a 727 and 4.11 gears. I'm trying to stick to a budget and reusing parts. Ill be using the factory 452 heads that were on it and the edelbrock performer intake. I've got the tools and skill to port the iron heads with the molar templates. The block is already .030 over and there is rust on he back cylinders so it will have to go at least, at a minimum .040. I guess the two variables to my build are pistons and cam. I've considered the summit 6401 kit for the cam. I know the pistons in there right now are .155" in the hole, calculating out to 7.7:1 CR. What should I shoot for for pistons. An actual part number would be appreciated. I would like stump pulling torque and some nice stop light-to-stop light power, while running on pump has with good reliability. Lets hear your tried and true recipes and/or opinions on my build. Thanks
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Re: Truck 440 build recipe
[Re: SomeCarGuy]
#558567
12/20/09 04:57 PM
12/20/09 04:57 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,770 Holland MI Ottawa
2boltmain
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,770
Holland MI Ottawa
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What about a stock oem replacement cast piston for the 68-71 440 hp motor? Seems like a set made by Silvolite or Badger would not be expensive and be closer to the deck at TDC. Does badger even exist anymore?
Keep old mopars alive.
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Re: Truck 440 build recipe
[Re: Pat_Whalen]
#558572
12/20/09 10:54 PM
12/20/09 10:54 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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might spend the extra to get .040" quench so you can run a higher CR on the same octane gas. It will take some extra as you'll have to machine each open head recess to equalize them as the slope and depth varies but you want all the torque you can get and as said you dont want to end up w a dog after all this work.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Truck 440 build recipe
[Re: Pat_Whalen]
#558573
12/20/09 11:41 PM
12/20/09 11:41 PM
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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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KB237 pistons for sure. You won't have quench, but without milling the block at all and with the .020" steel shim head gaskets you should be at around 9.5 compression. With the right cam and premium fuel it will do okay. Actually I would deck the block to bring the pistons to zero deck while you're in there, that way if you ever choose to go to aftermarket closed chamber aluminum heads in the future, you'll be setup perfect for them. You can run the big summit cam if you're needing to pinch an extra 80 bucks from the budget. I would be more likely to look at the comp xe275hl or lunati voodoo 60304 myself. But both of the above suggestions are assuming you're going for more of a street machine than a tow/utility/4x4 rig.
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Re: Truck 440 build recipe
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#558574
12/21/09 02:33 AM
12/21/09 02:33 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,481 Mesa, AZ
Pat_Whalen
OP
super gas
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OP
super gas
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,481
Mesa, AZ
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Quote:
KB237 pistons for sure. You won't have quench, but without milling the block at all and with the .020" steel shim head gaskets you should be at around 9.5 compression. With the right cam and premium fuel it will do okay. Actually I would deck the block to bring the pistons to zero deck while you're in there, that way if you ever choose to go to aftermarket closed chamber aluminum heads in the future, you'll be setup perfect for them.
You can run the big summit cam if you're needing to pinch an extra 80 bucks from the budget. I would be more likely to look at the comp xe275hl or lunati voodoo 60304 myself.
But both of the above suggestions are assuming you're going for more of a street machine than a tow/utility/4x4 rig.
The truck in question will actually be a daily driver (economy is marginally important, all things being considered), and will see frequent off road and trail use.
I just poked around the COMP website and was pretty enamored by the tech they've got on cam selections. Now I've got my eye on the xe256h (256*/268*, .447"/.455"). Or should I step up to something like the xe262h (262*/270*, .462"/.470")?
Thanks for all the help thus far.
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Re: Truck 440 build recipe
[Re: Pat_Whalen]
#558575
12/21/09 02:52 AM
12/21/09 02:52 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,430 Florida STAYcation
BeEtLeJuIcE !
The village idiot's idiot
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The village idiot's idiot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,430
Florida STAYcation
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Quote:
I would like stump pulling torque and some nice stop light-to-stop light power, while running on pump has with good reliability.
I would SERIOUSLY consider putting in a 413 from a motorhome. They are fairly cheap and have that stump-pulling-torque.
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Re: Truck 440 build recipe
[Re: DaytonaTurbo]
#558577
12/21/09 08:02 AM
12/21/09 08:02 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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Quote:
KB237 pistons for sure. You won't have quench, but without milling the block at all and with the .020" steel shim head gaskets you should be at around 9.5 compression. With the right cam and premium fuel it will do okay. Actually I would deck the block to bring the pistons to zero deck while you're in there, that way if you ever choose to go to aftermarket closed chamber aluminum heads in the future, you'll be setup perfect for them.
You can run the big summit cam if you're needing to pinch an extra 80 bucks from the budget. I would be more likely to look at the comp xe275hl or lunati voodoo 60304 myself.
But both of the above suggestions are assuming you're going for more of a street machine than a tow/utility/4x4 rig.
I'm running the 275 in my "440" (383, .060 over, 3.750 stroke--438 cu in) with flat top Ross pistons, .040 head gasket, eddy closed chamber heads and that XE-275-HL cam, when I had the power brakes on the truck, it had more than enough vacuum to keep them happy, and it makes gobs of torque, attached is a graph from my dyno visit. peak torque was 535, but was over 500 ft lbs from 3,000 rpm through 5000 rpm. with a properly matched torque converter and 4.10 gears, that cam would do well in a "stock 440" (with OEM heads)
it's got a really nice lope to it as well at idle. I run pump gas through it and never had a problem, and I've had both OEM iron heads and the eddy aluminum heads on this engine with that cam.
**Photobucket sucks**
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Re: Truck 440 build recipe
[Re: scratchnfotraction]
#558579
12/21/09 10:10 AM
12/21/09 10:10 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,481 Mesa, AZ
Pat_Whalen
OP
super gas
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OP
super gas
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,481
Mesa, AZ
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Quote:
hey Pat
did you get the Motor mounts and xmember worked out?
on to the rebuild
I had actually written the big block off at the moment in favor of a fully assembled small block, just to get the truck running for the coming summer with plans to build the 440 in the meantime. Unfortunately, tearing down the smallblock just to check it revealed some really disastrous rust that would have required even more dough to rebuild than the big block. So the 440 got the nod, and I'll have to still straighten out the engine mount situation. I have decided to save myself some time and aggravation though by finding a suitable mated 727/np208 as opposed to trying to custom fit the 2wd 727 and divorced np205. I'd still like the 205 for the power the big block will be putting out, but I'll have to live with a 208 for the time being.
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Re: Truck 440 build recipe
[Re: Pat_Whalen]
#558581
12/23/09 09:02 AM
12/23/09 09:02 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI
patrick
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,123
Grand Haven, MI
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for a heavy truck with an emphasis on daily driver duty, I'd probably use the KB237's, setting them up near 0 deck, and for a cam, I'd look at a comp XE268 or a lunati voodoo 60303, using comp 915 springs with either.
1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD 1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!*** 2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T 2017 Grand Cherokee Overland 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
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