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Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads
Posted By: Mad_Scientist
Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/09/09 08:41 PM
How many people have these heads and what did you have to do to your block to make them fit? Is it feasible to make the modifications to an assembled short block, or are we talking major machine work? How was the pricing? Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi?
Current setup is a mild 440 that is set up for street use, but I really want a Hemi instead.
Stage V
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/09/09 09:00 PM
Quote:
How many people have these heads and what did you have to do to your block to make them fit? Is it feasible to make the modifications to an assembled short block, or are we talking major machine work? How was the pricing? Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi?
Current setup is a mild 440 that is set up for street use, but I really want a Hemi instead.
Stage V
I don't think you can even get those heads new anymore , when they first came out they were about 5k with the rocker system and that was a decade or so ago and when hemi blocks were hard to find .
build a hemi .
Posted By: Ply72rr
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/09/09 11:33 PM
I didn't think they were available any more either but they are listed on the web site.I believe you had to run external oil lines with them.I think I would go with a crate or custom built hemi myself.Check with Stage V on price and then decide.
Posted By: Blakcharger440
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/10/09 12:19 AM
I could never get ahold of them before i started building my stroker wedge.
Posted By: Mopar_Rich
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/10/09 12:31 AM
The conversion heads ARE available. I talk to Eric all the time and I just bought a set for a customer a few months back. They require special rocker arms and the block has to be ground for pushrod clearance. It's not something you can do after the fact.
I have done a few of these and I spec a custom cam too because the exhaust rocker ratio is only 1.4:1.
Posted By: Dragula
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/10/09 12:54 AM
Quote:
The conversion heads ARE available. I talk to Eric all the time and I just bought a set for a customer a few months back. They require special rocker arms and the block has to be ground for pushrod clearance. It's not something you can do after the fact.
I have done a few of these and I spec a custom cam too because the exhaust rocker ratio is only 1.4:1.
I would take a set for the right price...My engine guy built an engine with a set a while back, and they make the Hp as they claim they do, but as stated, the block needs some pretty serious work to it.
Posted By: Triggerfish
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/10/09 02:43 AM
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/10/09 12:45 PM
Quote:
The conversion heads ARE available. I talk to Eric all the time and I just bought a set for a customer a few months back. They require special rocker arms and the block has to be ground for pushrod clearance. It's not something you can do after the fact.
I have done a few of these and I spec a custom cam too because the exhaust rocker ratio is only 1.4:1.
Over the last year ... maybe 2 ... or so I have seen threads were people asked about these heads and the replies were that there weren't any available at the time and there was no plan in the near future to run them because they were busy making heads for real hemi blocks .
SORRY ...
Posted By: Mopar_Rich
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/10/09 01:38 PM
Eric sent me an email LAST NIGHT. He will have the castings in stock by next week. The rocker system is different, as I said, but he has those in stock now. I see no reason for a delay - at least not now. Here's his email to me:
Hello Rich:
The conversion head castings are supposed to arrive at our shop next week. We will run them through immediately. Rocker assemblies I already have.
Thanks
Eric
Posted By: Mopar Ron
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/10/09 02:33 PM
IF they are available again what is the price now???
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/10/09 04:42 PM
Quote:
Eric sent me an email LAST NIGHT. He will have the castings in stock by next week. The rocker system is different, as I said, but he has those in stock now. I see no reason for a delay - at least not now. Here's his email to me:
Hello Rich:
The conversion head castings are supposed to arrive at our shop next week. We will run them through immediately. Rocker assemblies I already have.
Thanks
Eric
But wait , in the other POST you said they were already available ??? 
Posted By: roadrunninMark
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/11/09 02:23 AM
I would also like to know what the price of the kit is or who to email for more info.
Mark
Posted By: Dragula
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/11/09 11:44 AM
For those unaware, these are not a super simple bolt on, they require some block work that has to be done right. The rotating assembly will be custom to, no kits currently available will fit them. The oiling system will almost have to be an external one, and you will need a bigger pan. The heads will hold a lot of oil up top, and it can drain a stock pan in a hurry.
Also, because your using a 440 block, its weaker because its not cross bolted. You might not think that's an issue until you bolt on heads that flow in the neighbor hood of 400cfm and the thing revs like a prostock engine. So now you have this big stroker kit in the block that revs like wicked in a less than appropriate block.....Thoughts to be considered when going down that path!
Posted By: Silverbullet2
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/11/09 12:11 PM
I bet those heads on that block require special headers too. I don't see hemi ehaust manifolds fitting around a wedge block motor mounts, or 426 headers either for that matter.
Posted By: Dragula
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/11/09 01:14 PM
Quote:
Eric sent me an email LAST NIGHT. He will have the castings in stock by next week. The rocker system is different, as I said, but he has those in stock now. I see no reason for a delay - at least not now. Here's his email to me:
Hello Rich:
The conversion head castings are supposed to arrive at our shop next week. We will run them through immediately. Rocker assemblies I already have.
Thanks
Eric
Rich,
Did you get any prices?
Posted By: Blakcharger440
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/11/09 04:15 PM
Quote:
For those unaware, these are not a super simple bolt on, they require some block work that has to be done right. The rotating assembly will be custom to, no kits currently available will fit them. The oiling system will almost have to be an external one, and you will need a bigger pan. The heads will hold a lot of oil up top, and it can drain a stock pan in a hurry.
Also, because your using a 440 block, its weaker because its not cross bolted. You might not think that's an issue until you bolt on heads that flow in the neighbor hood of 400cfm and the thing revs like a prostock engine. So now you have this big stroker kit in the block that revs like wicked in a less than appropriate block.....Thoughts to be considered when going down that path!
Hmmmm...sounds like there are a few other things that i didnt think about when considering those heads.
Waaaay too much to change just to run those heads.
A person would be better off just buying a real Hemi block and regular Hemi heads since all those changes would need to be done.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/12/09 03:12 PM
Quote:
Quote:
For those unaware, these are not a super simple bolt on, they require some block work that has to be done right. The rotating assembly will be custom to, no kits currently available will fit them. The oiling system will almost have to be an external one, and you will need a bigger pan. The heads will hold a lot of oil up top, and it can drain a stock pan in a hurry.
Also, because your using a 440 block, its weaker because its not cross bolted. You might not think that's an issue until you bolt on heads that flow in the neighbor hood of 400cfm and the thing revs like a prostock engine. So now you have this big stroker kit in the block that revs like wicked in a less than appropriate block.....Thoughts to be considered when going down that path!
Hmmmm...sounds like there are a few other things that i didnt think about when considering those heads.
Waaaay too much to change just to run those heads.
A person would be better off just buying a real Hemi block and regular Hemi heads since all those changes would need to be done.
WINNER ding ding ding ... WINNER ... ding ding ding ...
Posted By: Mopar_Rich
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/12/09 05:31 PM
Quote:
I would also like to know what the price of the kit is or who to email for more info.
Mark
I just got back from a race and Eric's email was there.
$2950 a set. But remember, you have to use the special Stage-V rocker system too. So that has to be added in.
(sorry no price on that yet)
As too the difficulty, there are a few issues but nothing outrageous. The problem was that there's no head gasket that will directly work. I took a stock Fel-Pro 1009 and cut and nicked it until everything cleared. You do have to grind the block for pushrod clearance, but it's not a big deal and I'm used to this with a Hemi. As to the mains, most of my customers that did this conversion were building street engines and were not going to race. Show - not go.
Randy brings up a good point with the oil drain back. That is an issue if the engine is kept higher in the RPM range. I think it was my second conversion customer that cruised his car with a 4.11 rear gear and he saw a drop in oil pressure at highway speeds because the pan was being pumped dry. He took care of it by changing the pan and running a thinner oil. If I ever do another one I'd drill out the drain back holes slightly, and paint the valley area with a gloss paint.
The exhaust on these heads are typical Hemi size, shape and bolt pattern. So normal Hemi header flanges are used if you fab a set of custom headers. Clearance around the wedge motor mounts and starter is always an issue, but both of the installations I saw used motor plates and they cut off the wedge flanges. It worked.
Posted By: Mopar_Rich
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/12/09 05:35 PM
Quote:
But wait , in the other POST you said they were already available ???
By "available" Eric means that he's still making them! They are never just sitting on the shelf.
Posted By: Rug_Trucker
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/12/09 06:18 PM
I remember an article back in the late 70's talking about building a 383 Hemi!
What intake could you use?
Posted By: Mopar_Rich
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/12/09 06:41 PM
Yes. Eric at Stage-V also makes his dual in-line 4 barrel manifold for low deck Hemis. I thought that was a really weird thing to do but it does make the Hemi a little narrower so it fits in smaller compartments.
Sometimes in the old days, I thought that Eric just had too much time on his hands. But I have one of his first low deck Hemi manifolds and it looks the same as his others.
Posted By: DAYCLONA
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/12/09 07:37 PM
Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi
In a realistic senario?....Yes, while the stage 5 coversion heads were"great" back in their initial release, because Hemi blocks,heads,...generaly Hemi anything was scarce, and expensive.....these heads filled a niche,.......unless you really want something different, there's alot of work ahead of you, and $$$$$ to mount these heads on an RB or B motor.......plus down the road, if you need parts, they might not be available, readily?
you can save the 
up, and buy into a 426 crate for about $10K........or buy the peices as you can afford them from MP, or other Hemi suppliers, and build your own.........
Posted By: Mopar Ron
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 04/15/09 08:47 PM
so is there a "KIT" price for everything???
There was a hot rod artical that had a price breakdown a few years ago but I cant find it now.
I mean is it like $6K for everything except for pistons and intake?
and is the stuff available?? Ron...
and Dayclona where can someone get 426 crate for about $10K.. the cheapest I have seen lately is $12,900-$13,100 area
do you have a connection
Posted By: Mopar Ron
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 05/05/09 11:29 PM
just bringing this up one more time to see if there is any news on this subject
Ron...
Posted By: CRE2004
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 05/06/09 12:22 AM
I've always thought a low deck, short stroke hemi with a long rod and a light piston would be fun to build with a big set of twins hanging off the front of it.
Posted By: Rug_Trucker
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 05/06/09 12:50 AM
Quote:
just bringing this up one more time to see if there is any news on this subject Ron...
You know, 10 miles up the road from me is the guys that have the SB Mopar Hemi heads.
Never have heard of anyone running those.
Think it is www.rodandcustommachines.com
Posted By: Rug_Trucker
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 05/06/09 01:16 AM
looks like they are gone
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/25/09 08:48 PM
I JUST bought a set of these conversion heads from Eric at StageV came with rocker, shaft and stands, No valves or springs. Total package was $3990.00 SO YES these Heads ARE available!!!! SUPER Product!! And it doesnt take a BUNCH of machine work to the block. Most can be done at home with hand tools!! AND ONE MORE THING you can use stock A B or C body motor mounts, You have to grind the front 2 bosses off the block on the drivers and use the top back bolt boss, cut the motor mount as it interfers with the header pipe and weld a strap to the lower section of the motor mount that will bolt to the oilpump for the lower motor mount to hold firm in place, Hope this helps clear things up!!!!
Posted By: camdog440
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/25/09 09:09 PM
Quote:
Quote:
just bringing this up one more time to see if there is any news on this subject Ron...
You know, 10 miles up the road from me is the guys that have the SB Mopar Hemi heads.
Never have heard of anyone running those.
Think it is www.rodandcustommachines.com
Their site is down/gone...
Here is the web archive of the small block hemi conversion heads.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070618120907/www.rodandcustommachines.com/smallblockhemiheads.html
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/25/09 09:10 PM
Well it's good to see you got a set , the price to get in seems reasonable. Would you be willing to share the final cost after you get it assembled and running ?
These heads might be suited for someone with an RB megablock collecting dust , at least the block would be up to task if someone built one to the heads potential flow .
one thing I just thought about , that's incredibly cheap for the total including the rockers , shafts and stands considering a set of stage 5 rockers for a real gen 2 hemi isn't that cheap ... for just the rockers alone .... maybe I shouldn't have sold that megablock I had after all ???
Posted By: SNK-EYZ
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/25/09 09:39 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
For those unaware, these are not a super simple bolt on, they require some block work that has to be done right. The rotating assembly will be custom to, no kits currently available will fit them. The oiling system will almost have to be an external one, and you will need a bigger pan. The heads will hold a lot of oil up top, and it can drain a stock pan in a hurry.
Also, because your using a 440 block, its weaker because its not cross bolted. You might not think that's an issue until you bolt on heads that flow in the neighbor hood of 400cfm and the thing revs like a prostock engine. So now you have this big stroker kit in the block that revs like wicked in a less than appropriate block.....Thoughts to be considered when going down that path!
Hmmmm...sounds like there are a few other things that i didnt think about when considering those heads.
Waaaay too much to change just to run those heads.
A person would be better off just buying a real Hemi block and regular Hemi heads since all those changes would need to be done.
WINNER ding ding ding ... WINNER ... ding ding ding ...
It would be way easier to start with a Hemi block.
From what I understood from the original post he was hoping to bolt the Stage V Hemi heads onto an already built wedge short block.
That would never work, wrong pistons.
Starting from scratch with a Hemi block would be far simpler.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/25/09 11:59 PM
Quote:
How many people have these heads and what did you have to do to your block to make them fit? Is it feasible to make the modifications to an assembled short block, or are we talking major machine work? How was the pricing? Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi?
Current setup is a mild 440 that is set up for street use, but I really want a Hemi instead.
Stage V
I missed that the first time around , no it's not fesible to to the machine work to an assembled shortblock and what do you mean by ASSEMBLED , you already have a set of HEMI pistons in it or where you thinking you could put these on a 440 type build short block ? definitely NOT , with a flat top piston if you even had 7.0 compression I'd be surprised . Hemi combustion chamber runs about 170cc, never mind the valves would probably hit the pistons because the valve reliefs aren't anywhere where they need to be ...
Posted By: Rug_Trucker
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 12:39 AM
Quote:
Quote:
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just bringing this up one more time to see if there is any news on this subject Ron...
You know, 10 miles up the road from me is the guys that have the SB Mopar Hemi heads.
Never have heard of anyone running those.
Think it is www.rodandcustommachines.com
Their site is down/gone...
Here is the web archive of the small block hemi conversion heads.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070618120907/www.rodandcustommachines.com/smallblockhemiheads.html
Interesting they had a Dickson TN phone number with a Knoxville address 
over 200 miles between the two locations.
Posted By: 451Mopar
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 06:18 AM
I talked to them about 15 years ago, considering the conversion also, but is was expensive I think over $5K, and I thought you had to drill and tap the head bolt holes for 1/2" bolts? I also think they required external oil return lines to the oil pan?
Posted By: SNK-EYZ
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 06:33 AM
Quote:
I talked to them about 15 years ago, considering the conversion also, but is was expensive I think over $5K, and I thought you had to drill and tap the head bolt holes for 1/2" bolts? I also think they required external oil return lines to the oil pan?
A buddy of mine has a set of the Stage V conversion heads installed on a (get this) 440 that was sleeved back down to a 426.
It was built back in the early 90's.
Yes there are external oil drain back on the corners of the cylinder heads.
I don't think the head bolt size was increased, but I could be wrong.
The ones that are usually studs at the top use allen bolts through the intake port with a plug from the top if I remember right.
He's the king of "different" combination's.
His 16 plug Hemi Dart used to run a de-stroke crank that made it 396ci. After blowing up the Frankenstein motor enough he finally built it to a 472ci. 
Posted By: Cab_Burge
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 07:28 AM
Quote:
How many people have these heads and what did you have to do to your block to make them fit? Is it feasible to make the modifications to an assembled short block, or are we talking major machine work? How was the pricing? Would I just be better off to buy a crate Hemi?
Current setup is a mild 440 that is set up for street use, but I really want a Hemi instead.
Stage V
Buy one of the new World Hemi blocks and get a real Hemi, not a wedge block with a set of adapt a heads on it
Posted By: VanishPt
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 01:56 PM
Posted By: Triggerfish
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 03:30 PM
Quote:
I've always thought a low deck, short stroke hemi with a long rod and a light piston would be fun to build with a big set of twins hanging off the front of it.
I thought of a 472 or 451 hemi-headed low deck for my 68 Formula S, but the intake & headers were the limiting factors. The 400's a strong block & w/a stud girdle & aftermarket caps, should be able to take mucho power. Would probably save 50 lbs or so over the 440 block. I remember Eric sent me an email last yr & w/ rocker gear, I think the bill was slightly over $5K.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 03:33 PM
Well considering a new world block is $3500.00 VS a used 440 block for $100.00 (which is good to 800 HP) without 4bolt mains You are already $3400.00 ahead. Real hemi heads (bare) with rocker assemblies are $3500.00 bare minimum. for a total of $7000.00 for a real hemi. for $4100.00 You can have a 440 with hemi heads. And about pistons, You can get ROSS ARIAS or JE in 4.350 which is .100 over 426 off the shelf piston. Total cost of a 440 wedge conversion is about $8000.00 HALF of what a real hemi crate motor is. The 440 ends up a 446 cu in. without stroking it and will make WAY more HP the a crate hemi. For those who are curious, go to "Converting a Wedge into A Hemi" on google or yahoo. This explains all the block work that is needed. Nothing major, most can be done at home with hand tools.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 03:43 PM
Quote:
I talked to them about 15 years ago, considering the conversion also, but is was expensive I think over $5K, and I thought you had to drill and tap the head bolt holes for 1/2" bolts? I also think they required external oil return lines to the oil pan?
I remember reading about it so I'm trying to figure out how the price went down for these ???
Posted By: RUNCHARGER
Re: Stage V 440 to Hemi conversion heads - 11/26/09 04:51 PM
I'm new here. I wasn't aware a $100 440 block was good for 800HP with the two bolt mains and 3/8" oil pickup. Good to know.
Headers are no problem with the 440 block either I guess.
Sheldon