I'm not looking to build a cheap motor, just want to use parts I already have and buy what I need. Only looking for 450-500hp and its a driver not a racer. Sure a forged crank would be better but I'm sick of seeing stuff gathering dust when it could be used. Like I said earlier, I have some rods that have 2.2 journals and are stock rb length, just need some new light weight forged pistons. jwb123 that 440 source kit at $2300us will end up being over $5000 once landed in Australia. Honestly the cost of offset grinding a cast crank doesn't bother me, its whether the cranks strength has been comprised that concerns me.
WOW! I did not notice you were from down under. The duty increase really sucks. They did build a lot of 440's with forged cranks, I think if you can find one I would use that. Heck I tossed a couple 440 cranks the other day cleaning the shop. Nobody wants a stock crank that needs to be turned anymore. The offset grinding was something we did 40 years ago due to no cheap cranks available. I guess with the prices in your country, you are where we were 40 years ago. In my neck of the woods I don't think there is a machine shop I would trust to do the offset grinding, all the guys that did it, retired or closed shop, all the shops that can still do it would charge more than a new crank would cost. My hat is off to you for trying to do it the old school way.
