Posted By: Anonymous
What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 04:33 AM
Looking to replace my 77 440 block and looking for an updated improve block than the origional design. Had my lifter chanel pluged off and was going to go to a external oiling system as well as a girdle on the mains before I dropped a valve and can't bore any more. The old 440 design had a weak oiling system and unless you upgraded your bearings were toast after 6000 rpm. Have seen alot of block with new strenght and oiling designs but have also heard they are not all what they say. I am talking about Indy maching not being done right and need additional work. Not sure if mopar performance new blocks have made any improvements (reasonably priced), they don't really say on there home page. Have heard the best remarks about World, but very pricy.
Does anyone have firsthand knowledge or any info that will help me make a decision ?
Posted By: moper
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 11:06 AM
I can tell you your info is seriously of on thefactory oiling system's capabilities. But if you're going to the next level, a good block (aftermarket) is a good idea. I wouldnt trust anyones block machining except the KBs. Not firsthand knowledge, but a bit of second. I also am very picky. The older MP stuff you need to be very careful about bore size. The castings can be way shifted, making max bore sizes smaller than advertised. I'll let the other guys chime in.. And you may want to move this to the race section to get reliable firsthand info..
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 03:38 PM
Let me simply rephrase the question, when I am not so sleepy and can write a coherent sentence. what is the best aftermarket 440 block on the market that has an improved oiling system.
Posted By: AndyF
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 03:50 PM
The World block has a slightly chaned oiling system. They are the least expensive of the aftermarket blocks, something around $2500 from your local Dodge dealer.
The KP-440 block from Koffel has a priority main oiling system like a Chevy block. Those blocks are a little more expensive and harder to find since they don't seem to be in full production yet.
The Keith Black stuff is twice as expensive and only available in aluminum.
Posted By: RalleyA12
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 05:20 PM
Isn't the new 440Source block due out this summer ?
Posted By: dvw
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 06:13 PM
How much power are you going to make? There are thousands of modified and stock 440 blocks out there turning over 6000 rpm. Are they ideal? No. Do they work? In most cases yes. You dropped a valve, this was not an oiling issue. Can it be sleeved? Maybe it could be saved. Maybe your power level dictates a better block. I've had engines with both factory and aftermarket blocks. I broke a factory one but it wasn't a oiling system failure. Most RB block failures I've seen were not oiling related, but structural.
Doug
Posted By: dogdays
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 07:17 PM
Building a cast iron block isn't easy, look at MP's first efforts. Now that World is casting blocks I'd say they would be hard to beat, although the block will weigh an extra 100# because of the extra cast iron put into places that need it.
The 440Source heads were right on initial sell but they have been promising the block for two years now and there have GOT to be some teething problems. You don't just design a block and pour it right the first time. When it comes out it'll be ZOK but if you are building NOW then either use your stock block or get one of the new World/MP pieces, the Koleno is unknown to me.
R.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 08:44 PM
Your right DVW the valve problem was unrelated to the oiling problem, but did spin a bearing before the last rebuild by exceeding 6000 rpm. After spinning the bearing went to a 500 stroker crank and full roller, plugged off one lifter galley to divert more oil to the mains. Had held up pretty good until I used the 440 source roller rockers and they didn't hold up:(Am using one of there lightweight cranks and rods and have no problems) one of the roller shafts wore loose and the roller tip came out depressing my valve keeper and clank. Learned a good lesson about $200 roller rockers.
Anyway I am going to be putting out about 650 HP and would rather get a more durable, better enginered oiling system to start with than block off galleys and put main bearing girdles on the block, ect. you know what I mean ?
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/19/08 08:47 PM
What do you mean by slightly changed ?
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/20/08 01:53 AM
Is the MP world block really 100 lbs heavier than a stock block ?
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: What is best bare 440 block available - 05/20/08 09:05 AM
Quote:
Your right DVW the valve problem was unrelated to the oiling problem, but did spin a bearing before the last rebuild by exceeding 6000 rpm. After spinning the bearing went to a 500 stroker crank and full roller, plugged off one lifter galley to divert more oil to the mains. Had held up pretty good until I used the 440 source roller rockers and they didn't hold up:(Am using one of there lightweight cranks and rods and have no problems) one of the roller shafts wore loose and the roller tip came out depressing my valve keeper and clank. Learned a good lesson about $200 roller rockers.
Anyway I am going to be putting out about 650 HP and would rather get a more durable, better enginered oiling system to start with than block off galleys and put main bearing girdles on the block, ect. you know what I mean ?
if you spun a bearing, i doubt it's because of the factory design of the oil passages. we routinely build engines using the factory blocks that run way above 6000 rpm.
proper machining and inspection along with the proper oiling modifications, which are easy to do, will solve those problems. 650 HP IMO is well within the limits of a stock block. if you need any advice on oiling mods, most are in the archives on this site or you can PM me.
sorry to hear you learned a lesson on those cat rockers the hard way.
