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Which 440 should I build #984562 05/02/11 01:46 AM 05/02/11 01:46 AM
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 659 Boise Idaho B Boise Chall OP mopar
Boise Chall OP mopar B Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 659 Boise Idaho	I have 3 complete 440 motors but I don't know which one I should rebuild. 1. Is a 78 motor home motor which had 48,000 miles on it it has a cast crank and the goofy motor home heads on it but I have a set of 906's for it. I don't know much more about this motor 2. Is a 75 440 Hp motor it has a newish looking set of 906's on it and it's also a cast crank motor. I have the top end taken off of this motor. I was just inspecting it but found a pretty good ridge on the top of the bores and some scratches in the bores that I don't like. This motor ran fine didn't smoke and had decent oil pressure before I pulled it out of the car. 3. Is a 67 440 with a forged crank and 915 heads. I don't know much more about this motor. The car one of these motors will go in is a 73 Roadrunner the car will just be a mild cruiser just a car that's fun to drive around so I'm not after a mountain of horse power. Help me pick the best/ cheapest motor to rebuild out of these 3. My thoughts are to just rebuild the one I have on the stand ( The 75 hp motor ) and sell the other two to help pay for the rebuild.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984563 05/02/11 01:53 AM 05/02/11 01:53 AM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA Kern Dog Striving for excellence
Kern Dog Striving for excellence Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA	For a good cruiser with decent power, you will at least be honing the block and replacing the rings, right? The '67 motor will offer the most compression of the 3. The motor home mill likely has LESS than 7.8 to one squeeze. Certainly a durable mill, but waaaay low on compression with pistons .120 down the hole. The '67 motor will likely have near 10 to one and with a decent cam, can run strong on mid grade fuel. With new rings, you ARE going to get a valve job, right? It makes sense to install new springs as well. 44 year old valvesprings on a higher lift new cam..... not good.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Kern Dog] #984564 05/02/11 02:00 AM 05/02/11 02:00 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,731 A collage of whims topside Too Many Posts
topside Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,731 A collage of whims	Kinda boils down to if the '67 needs pistons. That would be the best motor for making power what with the forged crank & 915s, but the MH motor with 906s and some pistons would make a good cruiser. If the 75 bores can be cleaned up, obviously it'll need pistons. The '67 is the most valuable of the 3.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: topside] #984565 05/02/11 02:25 AM 05/02/11 02:25 AM
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 659 Boise Idaho B Boise Chall OP mopar
Boise Chall OP mopar B Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 659 Boise Idaho	I'm sure all 3 will need pistons considering their age and compression. The one I have one the stand was the one I thought would have the best chance of being usable because it was running and it was only supposed to have 2,000 miles on it. I'm sure it only had 2,000 miles on it 50,000 or 100,000 miles ago. With the market in the condition it's in what's a complete carb to oil pan 67 440 worth ?

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984566 05/02/11 12:29 PM 05/02/11 12:29 PM
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 902 Seattle, WA R rss super stock
rss super stock R Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 902 Seattle, WA	If it were me, I'd want to use the forged crank and 915 heads.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: rss] #984567 05/02/11 12:46 PM 05/02/11 12:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A.	Quote: If it were me, I'd want to use the forged crank and 915 heads. No matter which block he starts with , the later blocks would be my choice , if you are set on using stock iron heads then I use the 915 heads.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: JohnRR] #984568 05/02/11 01:07 PM 05/02/11 01:07 PM
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 659 Boise Idaho B Boise Chall OP mopar
Boise Chall OP mopar B Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 659 Boise Idaho	The 915 heads look original so they wouldn't have the hardened seats in them right ? the 906's look like they have had some work done to them recently how can I tell if they have hardened seats in them ? 10 years ago I would have just taken the motor that's on the stand now painted it and ran the crap out of it but I just can't do it now.. Did I grow up ?

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984569 05/02/11 01:23 PM 05/02/11 01:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A.	Quote: The 915 heads look original so they wouldn't have the hardened seats in them right ? the 906's look like they have had some work done to them recently how can I tell if they have hardened seats in them ? 10 years ago I would have just taken the motor that's on the stand now painted it and ran the crap out of it but I just can't do it now.. Did I grow up ? The added cost of putting seats in the 915's is minimal in the big picture of the rebuild. The 906 is an open chamber head , not the perfect choice especially since you have the 915's . Are you going to be putting 20k miles a year on the car ?

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: JohnRR] #984570 05/02/11 01:47 PM 05/02/11 01:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet
Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md	I'd use the best parts from all 3. Ideally you'd want to use the 67 block and heads. If you are going to buy all new guts I'd use the block/heads that require the least amount of machine work. Hard to say w/o seeing all of it. [IMG]http://i66.tinypic.com/pui5j.jpg[/IMG] Coming soon!!!!

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Mr.Yuck] #984571 05/02/11 01:50 PM 05/02/11 01:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A.	Quote: I'd use the best parts from all 3. Ideally you'd want to use the 67 block and heads. If you are going to buy all new guts I'd use the block/heads that require the least amount of machine work. Hard to say w/o seeing all of it. If you think he should use the best of all 3 what leads you to believe the 67 block is BETTER than the others ?

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: JohnRR] #984572 05/02/11 01:52 PM 05/02/11 01:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet
Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md	Quote: Quote: I'd use the best parts from all 3. Ideally you'd want to use the 67 block and heads. If you are going to buy all new guts I'd use the block/heads that require the least amount of machine work. Hard to say w/o seeing all of it. If you think he should use the best of all 3 what leads you to believe the 67 block is BETTER than the others ? meaning if the bore on the 67 didn't require bore and new pistons I'd use that.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984573 05/02/11 02:18 PM 05/02/11 02:18 PM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida S scratchnfotraction I Live Here
scratchnfotraction I Live Here S Joined: May 2003 Posts: 15,487 Florida	what goofy MH heads do you refer too? #452 with the small peanut 5/8 spark plug? thats whats on mine and works fine fora stock street engine,it has better cooling pasages with harden seats. IIRC are you talking baout the heads like on a 413 with the WP housing bolted to the end of the heads?

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984574 05/02/11 02:28 PM 05/02/11 02:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,825 Sk. Canada RemCharger master
RemCharger master Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,825 Sk. Canada	Quote: 10 years ago I would have just taken the motor that's on the stand now painted it and ran the crap out of it but I just can't do it now.. Did I grow up ? More patient, for sure. Back in the day, a guy didn't have money or time to build the perfect scenario. Its this type of issue that stalls a project out for too long. Slap the 'MoHome' mill in while you take the time to build a good one.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984575 05/02/11 02:33 PM 05/02/11 02:33 PM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada D DPelletier I Live Here
DPelletier I Live Here D Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada	Use the forged crank, 915 heads and whichever block checks out the best......no real world advantage or disadvantage to any particular block choice. If they were all mine, I'd plan on using the 67 block just so I wouldn't need to totally disassemble the other two motors, If it checks out, great....if not, check the next 440 block in line. Dave 1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984576 05/02/11 03:59 PM 05/02/11 03:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 902 Seattle, WA R rss super stock
rss super stock R Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 902 Seattle, WA	Quote: the 906's look like they have had some work done to them recently how can I tell if they have hardened seats in them ? You should be able to see where the seat area has been machined and a hardened seat has been pressed in. I'd imagine it might be difficult to see on a used head with some carbon build up. If hardened seats were installed, it will probably only be on the exhaust valves.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: scratchnfotraction] #984577 05/02/11 04:06 PM 05/02/11 04:06 PM
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 659 Boise Idaho B Boise Chall OP mopar
Boise Chall OP mopar B Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 659 Boise Idaho	The motor home heads that I have are the ones that have the peanut plugs. The water pump is the normal car/truck water pump. I'm just nervous about the motor home motor because it's a 78 with 48,000 miles on it so it's done alot of sitting around and the low compression.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984578 05/02/11 04:17 PM 05/02/11 04:17 PM
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 4,041 michigan woods imfixinmopars426 master
imfixinmopars426 master Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 4,041 michigan woods	another vote for using the best stuff from the 2 or 3 engines.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Boise Chall] #984579 05/02/11 05:06 PM 05/02/11 05:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A.	Quote: The motor home heads that I have are the ones that have the peanut plugs. The water pump is the normal car/truck water pump. I'm just nervous about the motor home motor because it's a 78 with 48,000 miles on it so it's done alot of sitting around and the low compression. nothing wrong with those heads , I just finished up a build using them. I bought them from Paul Rossi back in the late 80's and the build I did used a 77 block that had the matching holes in the block for the coolant to flow across the chamber to help keep things cool. That aside the 75 HP should have the same low compression pistons as the motorhome engine so even with the 915's on it you'll have a low compression engine, if you are going to plan on new pistons and doing a full rebuild get a piston near zero deck , use the 915's with a basic rebuild , a little bowl work will help , keep the compression about 9.5 and you should run on pump 89 with no problem . Last edited by JohnRR; 05/02/11 07:56 PM.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: imfixinmopars426] #984580 05/02/11 06:05 PM 05/02/11 06:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 5,746 Ontario, Canada Dodgem master
Dodgem master Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 5,746 Ontario, Canada	Quote: another vote for using the best stuff from the 2 or 3 engines. Me too! the advantage of the two newer blocks they have the stiffening rib up the side of the blocks that help with an early block tendency to crack between the frost plugs. steel crank, new pistons, 906 or the 516 heads or better sell both and get aluminum!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: JohnRR] #984581 05/02/11 06:48 PM 05/02/11 06:48 PM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA Kern Dog Striving for excellence
Kern Dog Striving for excellence Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA	Quote: a little blow work will help , Please tell me that this is a typo.....

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Kern Dog] #984582 05/02/11 07:09 PM 05/02/11 07:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,698 NE Oklahoma V Von master
Von master V Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,698 NE Oklahoma	As mentioned Id use the 75 or 78 block, steel crank and the 915s....... 72 RR, Pump gas 440, 452s, 3800 lbs, Corked, ET Radials,. 11.33@117.72. Same car, bone stock 346s, 9.5 comp, baby solid. 12.24@110.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Kern Dog] #984583 05/02/11 07:55 PM 05/02/11 07:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A.	Quote: Quote: a little bowl work will help , Please tell me that this is a typo..... It can't be , it passed my spell checker Mr. grammar/spelling NAZI. NO READING FOR YOU !

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: JohnRR] #984584 05/02/11 09:32 PM 05/02/11 09:32 PM
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 484 North America 2002bluert mopar
2002bluert mopar Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 484 North America	I would use the 75 block because with everything blocks included things improve over time meaning Chrysler like everyone learns by their mistakes so any problems with the early blocks are fixed over time so they only get better No one likes warranty so they repair all the flaws.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: 2002bluert] #984585 05/02/11 09:36 PM 05/02/11 09:36 PM
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 21,814 Kirkland, Washington Pacnorthcuda Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 21,814 Kirkland, Washington	Quote: I would use the 75 block because with everything blocks included things improve over time meaning Chrysler like everyone learns by their mistakes so any problems with the early blocks are fixed over time so they only get better No one likes warranty so they repair all the flaws. So a 78 Dodge Challenger should be better than a 70???

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Pacnorthcuda] #984586 05/02/11 09:58 PM 05/02/11 09:58 PM
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 484 North America 2002bluert mopar
2002bluert mopar Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 484 North America	Absolutely and man do I have a deal for you...LOL The only thing is that it doesnt have a 440 in it yet.

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: 2002bluert] #984587 05/02/11 10:41 PM 05/02/11 10:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 200 South Coast of Oregon D dweller enthusiast
dweller enthusiast D Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 200 South Coast of Oregon	Look for "630" at the end of the casting numbers for the 75 or 78 block. These blocks have noticable thicker main web areas than the earlier blocks. Use the forged crank and 915 heads on one of the later blocks...

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: dweller] #984588 05/03/11 12:17 AM 05/03/11 12:17 AM
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada D DPelletier I Live Here
DPelletier I Live Here D Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 15,134 Kelowna, B.C. Canada	The difference in blocks year to year is irrelevant, especially given the OP's stated useage: use the one in the best shape. Dave 1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: DPelletier] #984589 05/03/11 12:39 AM 05/03/11 12:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,072 The Sunny Shuswap D dodgefarmer super stock
dodgefarmer super stock D Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,072 The Sunny Shuswap	One of the things that I look at when deciding which RB block to use, is how much chamfer did our friends at Chrysler put on the top of the bore. Randy

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: JohnRR] #984590 05/03/11 01:21 AM 05/03/11 01:21 AM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA Kern Dog Striving for excellence
Kern Dog Striving for excellence Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA	Quote: Quote: Quote: a little bowl work will help , Please tell me that this is a typo..... It can't be , it passed my spell checker Mr. grammar/spelling NAZI. NO READING FOR YOU ! Come on, man... I was just having fun here.... If I was going for points, theres others here that deserve correcting .

Re: Which 440 should I build [Re: Kern Dog] #984591 05/03/11 01:25 AM 05/03/11 01:25 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 74,947 U.S.S.A.	Quote: Come on, man... I was just having fun here.... If I was going for points, theres others here that deserve correcting . Same here , I left off the ... ...

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