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Engine build advice
#848319
11/07/10 09:00 PM
11/07/10 09:00 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
bobs66440
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
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Looks like I'm going to have to replace/rebuild my tired, oil-thirsty 440. Option A: Have the bottom end redone locally (and have them put in a hotter-than-stock cam) and put on a set of those near-stock cast iron Aero heads. I want to re-use the dual-quad setup I have and put on a pair of HP exhaust manifolds I have. This would run me probably about $2500-$3000. or so. Option B: Get a remanufactured long block from this place... http://www.rebuilt-engine-blocks.com/engines/Automobile_Engine_MOP_440LB_CHRYSLER.html...ask for a mild performance upgrade, throw my stuff on it and call it a day for about a grand less. I would love to have a 600hp beast, but the car and my wallet aren't up to it. At this point, I am just looking for a reliable driver... Any opinions on which might be the best option? Thanks.  Also, what would be a good cam grind to get a nice, lopey-ish idle but good drivability.
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: bobs66440]
#848320
11/07/10 09:12 PM
11/07/10 09:12 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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forget the Aero (or any other) iron heads & get some alum 440sources' stealth heads possibly from someone here on the board to check them out. KB pistons
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: Mopar_Country]
#848322
11/07/10 10:44 PM
11/07/10 10:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
bobs66440
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
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Quote:
Winter is coming, plenty of time for a rebuild. You are going to spend 2000.00 and still won't know for sure what you got. Pull the engine and rebuild, do a little research for machining, parts etc and have at it. 
I tend to agree. If there are any issues, I can just drive the car there. I suppose the problem would be to find a shop that's competent at Mopars...Chevy savvy shops are plentiful around here. Anyone have a suggestion in the NY Tri-State area??
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: JohnRR]
#848327
11/08/10 12:57 AM
11/08/10 12:57 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 390
kentucky
superbyrd
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 390
kentucky
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i appoligize rapidrobert. my mistake. i goofed up,i thought i read the OP,the words "just a reliable driver", "budjet" "not in the wallet",etc. i'm sorry,by all means,to the original poster, since the 440source aluminum heads are so close to the aeros ($499 pair compared to $1000 pair,but hey,what do i know about "so close"lol) for just a "basic,reliable rebuild" yes,you really need those aluminum heads,etc.
seriously though, i agree with johnrr,if you can re-use your heads,and get by with just a valve job,then that would be the cheapest route. but if they need alot more work,the aeros would come in under the price of re-doing the originals.
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: superbyrd]
#848328
11/08/10 01:02 AM
11/08/10 01:02 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,017
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,017
U.S.S.A.
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Quote:
but if they need alot more work,the aeros would come in under the price of re-doing the originals.
Till you add in shipping , possible core charge and having the less than stellar valve job corrected ...
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: bobs66440]
#848329
11/08/10 01:36 AM
11/08/10 01:36 AM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 31
Norwood NC
HP Engines
member
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member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 31
Norwood NC
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I would be careful with one of those online deals unless its a known and reputable shop. Comp Cams extreme energy hyd. platform would be ideal for your applic. BTW if your close to N.C. I run a Mopar savvy engine shop. www.HPENGINES.NET GOOD LUCK with yur build
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: SomeCarGuy]
#848331
11/08/10 02:28 AM
11/08/10 02:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,017
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,017
U.S.S.A.
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Quote:
If he is in the NE, Dwayne Porter can't be all that far away...
Not that close ,OP is in the NY , NJ, PENN area , that's tri state , Dwayne is at least 300 miles away .
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: bobs66440]
#848333
11/08/10 08:07 AM
11/08/10 08:07 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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I don't know your mechanical abilities, but pulling an engine is pretty simple to do yourself, if you're talking about driving the car over, dropping it off, and having them call you when it's done...that's contradicting your budget requirements.
not to mention, you don't really know what you're getting.
If you're on a true budget, I would go for a stock-ish rebuild with good pistons that get you zero deck for some decent compression. keep everything else "stock" except for the bump stick.
put it all together yourself, and save some money.
if i wanted a stock-ish build, this is what I would do:
polish/turn the crank
resize the rods
punch the block .030 over, if needed
have the decks squared/trued up
have hte mains align checked and honed if need correction
valve job on YOUR heads (not someone elses "stock heads" by mail-order)
new cam/lifters (you wanted to bump up over stock a bit)
new timing chain
new harmonic dampner
have the assembly balanced
take your time, read up on some books, ask lots of questions here, and put it together yourself.
I'm thinking you could get a solid 400-425 hp from that 440 for around $3,000 if you do a lot of it yourself.
if you drive it to a shop and drop it off...double that, and still only have a "bone stock rebuild" with a much longer wait.
**Photobucket sucks**
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: 70Cuda383]
#848334
11/08/10 08:09 AM
11/08/10 08:09 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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By the way, the first engine I ever built is my 383 stroked to 438, aluminum headed, 535 lbs of torque, 505 hp beast thats in my dakota.
I got the confidence to do this by myself by reading a few Mopar rebuild books, and asking lots of questions on here...and dare I say...it was actually pretty easy to do, just ask lots of questions as you go!
**Photobucket sucks**
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: Mopar_Country]
#848335
11/08/10 08:58 AM
11/08/10 08:58 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
Commando1
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,336
South-Central (Sebring), FL
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Quote:
Winter is coming, plenty of time for a rebuild. You are going to spend 2000.00 and still won't know for sure what you got. Pull the engine and rebuild, do a little research for machining, parts etc and have at it.
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: 70Cuda383]
#848336
11/08/10 09:14 AM
11/08/10 09:14 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28,312
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Quote:
I don't know your mechanical abilities, but pulling an engine is pretty simple to do yourself, if you're talking about driving the car over, dropping it off, and having them call you when it's done...that's contradicting your budget requirements.
not to mention, you don't really know what you're getting.
If you're on a true budget, I would go for a stock-ish rebuild with good pistons that get you zero deck for some decent compression. keep everything else "stock" except for the bump stick.
put it all together yourself, and save some money.
if i wanted a stock-ish build, this is what I would do:
polish/turn the crank
resize the rods
punch the block .030 over, if needed
have the decks squared/trued up
have hte mains align checked and honed if need correction
valve job on YOUR heads (not someone elses "stock heads" by mail-order)
new cam/lifters (you wanted to bump up over stock a bit)
new timing chain
new harmonic dampner
have the assembly balanced
take your time, read up on some books, ask lots of questions here, and put it together yourself.
I'm thinking you could get a solid 400-425 hp from that 440 for around $3,000 if you do a lot of it yourself.
if you drive it to a shop and drop it off...double that, and still only have a "bone stock rebuild" with a much longer wait.
Man if he's looking for budget build, he doesn't need all that block work you mentioned.
Crank is OK also if the engine bearings look OK.
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Re: Engine build advice
[Re: 70Cuda383]
#848337
11/08/10 09:51 AM
11/08/10 09:51 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
bobs66440
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
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Quote:
I don't know your mechanical abilities, but pulling an engine is pretty simple to do yourself, if you're talking about driving the car over, dropping it off, and having them call you when it's done...that's contradicting your budget requirements.
I had planned on driving it over to chat with him about it...so he could get a visual. Then I would would pull the engine, run it over to him and let him do the work. I would have him put the cam in and install the heads and probably the oil pan, but I would put on the intake and all the accessories, etc. and re-install it.
As far as machine work goes, I will probably rely on him to tell me what it needs to make it a reliable engine.
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Where are you in the tri area.?Any decent shop will have a waiting list to "get er done"What are your peformance goals?Do NOT short change the build,if what you want is not in the budget,concider saving up and do it right the FIRST TIME 
but that sounds like the best option. There's a shop not too far from me I heard of that builds Hemis among others, maybe I'll drive it over to him and see what he says. 
