I have a somewhat stock 440 with 13K miles on a rebuild. It's a real dog with low comp pistons. I'm looking at waking it up a bit with a 500 stroker kit from 440 source. Has anyone ever used one? I have 906 heads, 040 bore, 727 Gear Vendors, 3:23 gears. I tried 3:91's for awhile and that helped but they were worn out. I'm also running Classic Air AC. Would like to run at least low 13's I'm also planning on drivng it on another 9000K mile road trip. Thanks.

There is no replacement for cubic inch displacement.
Why not upgrade to Edelbrock aluminum heads at the same time???

I've got the muscle motors kit and their 906 bracket heads. I love it, like the dude said "It takes cubic bucks to outrun cubic inches".

I went from a 440 to a 512 stroker. The results were dramatic!! Granted we upped the compression 3 points went with a bigger roller and went with Pro-Comp heads (unported) We rolled the ring and pinion back from 4:56s to 4:10s Same car 73 Cuda (3550 lbs with driver) same carb, headers. Car went from a best of 11:90@112mph To 10:40@130 and we're still sorting it out.....

My machinist just built a 512 for a guy using the Source kit.He said it was an easy build as everyhting pretty much checked good.He is a very particular guy so it must have been good.For what I have in my rebuild he did like 12 years ago I could have a 500 inch motor today.If my kid ever gets his butt moving he is building a 550 incher for his 62 300.Rocky

The strokers are great, you'll be doing some clearancing to block here and there, and my coronet went 12.20 as it sits on the street with 354 gear.

I wrote a whole book on the subject and used several 440Source kits in the process.

My 440source 500 stroker engine went 8.60's@155mph in my 91 daytona and lasted 250+ runs till the stock 440 block finally cracked up through the mains. The crank,rods,and pistons all checked out fine and will be going into a new block soon. I also bought a 512 stroker kit from Brandon ( 440source) that will be going together soon. As with all race products have your machinist check things over. Go with the chevy size crank and rod journals and block grinding will be minimal. Good-luck with your build and have fun.

You do not require a stroker kit to run 12's or low 13's. You need compression, cam and some decent flowing heads.

You didnt post much about your current 440 other then it being mild and a low compression engine.
For starters there is no reason you shouldnt be where you want to be currently with some very cheapo additions. You were there with the 3.91's already. Yet, we do not know what your application is regarding type of car stock wheel/tire combo etc.
The 500" build can get rather extreme meaning your going to have a new engine and all this new found torque and HP. That in turn may require suspension changes etc. as in fuel requirements and just think it out. Daily driver or weekend warrior. Its just not the engine its the whole car
that has to adapt.
My 65 B-body has a 500" that is somewhat antiquated and im running a host of other goodies and can easlily break into 11's without really trying as I am sure many others can share here.
With the newest technology out there, you can be in the hi 10 sec range without much effort, just $$$ will make the combo work... Give us more info on your set up and im sure you will be happy with what you hear from your friends here.

My current engine has a 850 Edelbrock on a Performer intake, Pertronix ignition, stock 906 heads, mild 270H Schnieder cam, stock style replacement pistons, 727 ,2400 stall converter, GV OD, 3:23 gears. Ran a 9.67 through the 1/8th I believe. It's a dog, I think my stock 383 ran better. I just want some more torque out of the hole. The car is a driver, I've been to Carlisle in it. It got almost 15 mpg with a TQ on the trip, But it leaked too bad. Was thinking about a modified Q-Jet for my next trip. I want to nail it and it torches the tires with 3:23's. I'm going to do all the install myself since the block is still fresh. I want to keep the 906 heads for now.

I agree with what others have said. You can achieve what you want with your current mill.

What it will cost you to build the stroker will outweigh what it will cost you to get your car dialed in with the current engine.

Know this.....with increased cubic inches comes the need for upgrading the surrounding components.

Sounds like you do a lot of street driving....with that in mind compromises will have to be made.

Upgrading your carb/intake a better converter and a little more gear reduction 3.55 3.91 will really wake up the throttle response.

Any properly running 383/440 should kill street tires......provided everything is tuned and working properly....

Why not try adding a good package with heads (edelbrock), a cam, intake, and carb. Then see where that gets you? It would be a lot cheaper and easier to install too. Besides if you add a 440source kit then you'll need all these things anyways to get the most out of it.

I have a 440source 512 kit in my 440 and it runs very good. Machinist liked everything when putting it together except for the main bearings. Just stay away from their water pump and housing..

Using stock replacement pistons has most likely been the 'bad' decision during the earlier build-up I would think.
You probably ended up with less compression an above that the, I suppose, composite headgasket used lost you some more compression. With stock pistons and open chamber 906-heads you won't have any pistonquench either.
You could try to advance the cam to see if you can build some more cylinder pressure at low rpm, but don't expect much from that.

i agree with Randy, but in the end, you 'know' you rather want that stroker motor under the hood

I'm running a 500" in my heavy 1960 NewYorker.
Stock Edelbrock heads with shorty headers into a 2.5" dual exhaust. It gets 17mpg with the 3.23 gears in the back, but still roasts the 275/60-tires through first and second gear. With a stroker you don't really need anymore gear in a street car.
Oh, my heap runs 8.6 on the 1/8 mile.

I had a quick question regarding what carburetors you guys are running on your 500+ strokers.

Would an 800 Thunder Series Edelbrock work well?

Thanks.

Low compression? Mild cam? Need power?




maybe

Here's my bulid.
2+ years and running strong.........very happy.
1974 440 .030 over bore, decked .025 (to incr. compression)
440source 4.150" stroker kit -24cc dish pistons (Piston tops machined .040 to incr. compression)
440source Stealth Heads (Only mods, machined to reach final 10.5:1 compr. and 3 angle job)
Edelbrock RPM Intake (Machined .050)
Comp Cam #21-000-5, 237 - 237 @ 108 +4 degr., .526 lift
MOPAR Hydraulic Lifters, pushrods, timing set, thin crank vibration damper and stamped rockers
Holley 4150HP 950 Carb, 77 mm. jets
1 7/8" headers
440source 7 qt. oil pan
Penn Grade Break-in oil
MOPAR Perf. windage tray
3.55 gears
28" Rear Tires
4-speed

Dyno Results:
494 ci. Stroker, 32* total timing

RPM ft/lb HP
3100 546.3 322.4
3200 549.0 334.5
3300 553.4 347.7
3400 555.4 359.5
3500 562.7 375.0
3600 573.2 392.9
3700 582.9 410.7
3800 588.9 426.1
3900 591.4 439.2
4000 591.6 450.6
4100 588.9 459.8
4200 585.8 468.4
4300 580.9 475.6
4400 573.4 480.4
4500 566.2 485.1
4600 559.0 489.6
4700 551.0 493.1
4800 544.6 497.7
4900 535.4 499.5
5000 526.7 501.4
5100 514.3 499.4
5200 505.3 500.3
5300 491.9 496.4

Max Torque 591.6
Max HP 501.4

I was hoping for an affordable street motor that made decent Tq/Hp.

Thanks for all the tips. I know I'm missing something somewhere. I'm kind of stuck with the converter since I sent the wrong core to be rebuilt and ended up with a 19 spline that I could only find one converter for from Summit. With the AG hood I'm kind of limited on space. I don't know if I could squeeze an RPM Intake in there. I already have a chopped and lowered fiberglass base plate. I think I will check my timing, it may be off also. I quess I should re group and start with all thew simple stuff first before I go and spend a bunch of money.