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Re: My Budget 440 Build (Learning Experience) [Re: bobs66440] #1171693
05/02/12 08:03 PM
05/02/12 08:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,085
NotRussia
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2fast4yourBrain Offline
Whack top Dodger
2fast4yourBrain  Offline
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NotRussia
Nice work, although I prefer using studs for the valve covers when working with aluminum heads.

Re: My Budget 440 Build (Learning Experience) [Re: 2fast4yourBrain] #1171694
05/02/12 09:30 PM
05/02/12 09:30 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
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bobs66440 Offline OP
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Quote:

Nice work, although I prefer using studs for the valve covers when working with aluminum heads.


Thanks. I am using studs. The T-handles thread onto them.

Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: bobs66440] #1171695
05/07/12 08:44 PM
05/07/12 08:44 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
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bobs66440 Offline OP
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The cam break in went perfectly! It started right up after cranking a few times and immediately ran it up to 1800-2200rpm and kept it there, varying it up and down for about 30 minutes (that was a LONG 30 minutes!). I was shocked how smooth it ran immediately and didn't skip a beat the whole time. I set the total timing at about 34* and initial is 10-12*. I ran it with straight water and no thermostat. I also had a box fan blowing into the grill. The temp stayed very cool for about the first 15 minutes, then it slowly creeped up to 195, almost 200. At that point I misted the rad with a garden hose and that brought it right down. The oil pressure stayed at 50 cold and 45 hot.

I let it cool, pulled all the spark plugs and they looked real good. Then changed the oil and filter, double checked everything and ran it a little more...idle, mid-range, blipping. It seems very responsive and sounds great out of the exhaust.

The amazing thing is that there are NO leaks at all! Even the valve covers were dry! Amazing!

The cam sounds a bit choppy but not real radical. I can't wait to road test it. I have to drain the water and add coolant & thermostat, connect the drive shaft, tighten the steering linkage and steering column, install power steering pump and get all the plug wires & hoses routed neatly. Also install the shifter.

Bummer is it's supposed to rain the next few days, so I may have to wait.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!



The mechanical auxiliary gauges I had tie wrapped to the antenna lol.





Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: bobs66440] #1171696
05/07/12 09:34 PM
05/07/12 09:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,445
Sterling Heights, Michigan 483...
daniel_depetro Offline
pro stock
daniel_depetro  Offline
pro stock

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Posts: 1,445
Sterling Heights, Michigan 483...
Awesome thread!


1969 Dodge Super Bee A12 (440 Six Pack, 4-speed, Dana 60 4.10)

1972 Plymouth Road Runner (400, 4-speed, 8.75" 3.23)

1974 Plymouth Duster 360 (360, 4-speed, 8.75" 3.23)
Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: daniel_depetro] #1171697
05/08/12 02:22 AM
05/08/12 02:22 AM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,559
Oh
H
His and Her 69's Offline
pro stock
His and Her 69's  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,559
Oh
CONGRAT'S on the fire up and cam break in.
Now Finish it up so when the weather breaks you can go burn some rubber for us.
David

Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: daniel_depetro] #1171698
05/08/12 02:26 AM
05/08/12 02:26 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,452
Canada
CrAzYMoPaRGuY Offline
I Live Here
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Canada
Quote:

Awesome thread!






Looks gorgeous Bob!!


CrAzYMoPaRGuY
Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: CrAzYMoPaRGuY] #1171699
05/08/12 10:08 PM
05/08/12 10:08 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
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bobs66440 Offline OP
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Thanks. I am really impressed with those headers. Access to the plugs is extremely easy and all can be removed from the top side.

Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: bobs66440] #1171700
05/09/12 08:46 PM
05/09/12 08:46 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
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Out in Left Field, NY
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I took the car out for the first test drive today. It ran perfect! I drove it for about a half hour and it stayed cool the whole time, around 180-185. Oil pressure was good also. No bad noises or leaks. The clutch worked very well, but grabs very high in the pedal travel. I think that's normal for a Centerforce. I seem to remember that in my Vette.

The only issues I have are the shifter (Hurst Comp Plus) and the alternator belt squealing. It took about 2 hours of cursing and swearing to get the stupid shifter to shift smoothly. I thought I had it, then during the drive, I slowly lost the ability to shift to 1st, 3rd and reverse. I'm not sure if the shifter is bad (it's fairly new, but never really worked well) or the linkage is screwed up or what. I have new bushings in there so I know that's not it. I think the rectangular holes in the arms that bolt to the trans are worn and loosen up and move around. All I know is it's infuriating! I want my automatic back! Screw this 4 speed crap!

Also, I have been chasing this nasty alternator belt squeal ever since I got the car. I put new belts on, tightened them properly, used belt dressing, scuffed up the pulley, checked alignment and where the belt rides in the pulley...nothing works. It just squeals like mad above 2500 rpm no matter what I do. The belt dressing quiets it down between 2500-3000rpm for a bit, but then just comes right back after a few minutes. Very annoying. Next step is to replace the alternator.

Also, I really don't like the way the new steering box feels. It's a little vague, especially turning right just off center. And the steering wheel is not centered any more, so I have to adjust the tie rods.

Other than that, all in all, I would say it was a success (so far).

Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: bobs66440] #1171701
05/09/12 09:08 PM
05/09/12 09:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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With the car running put a long 3/4" extension against the alternator, WP and PS pump and have a listen, that should tell you if you have a bearing in one of those components failing.
If the nuts holding the shifter tabs loosen off, I tighten them fairly well and loctite them. Make sure you don't tighten the shifter box bolts too tight and bind up the mechanism.

Sheldon

Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1171702
05/15/12 03:38 PM
05/15/12 03:38 PM
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Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
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I went to Autozone to get a new alternator over the weekend. While I was there, I drove the poor kid behind the counter crazy looking at all kinds of belts. I found one slightly narrower than the one I had and installed it with the old alternator. The squealing seems to be fixed. I ran it for quite a while with no noise. Hopefully it will stay that way. We'll see...

Also, The new shifter arrived from Brewers today. I installed it and it works perfectly! What a relief! Unfortunately it's raining now, so I can't take it for a ride....maybe tomorrow.

Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: bobs66440] #1171703
05/19/12 09:09 AM
05/19/12 09:09 AM
Joined: Mar 2010
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Out in Left Field, NY
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I took the Charger to it's first cruise-in of the season last night. It ran perfectly, no issues at all and was greeted with much enthusiasm. I'm very happy so far with the result.

Surprisingly, the exhaust is much louder now. It really barks at certain rpm under load. Must be the difference with the headers from the manifolds. I LIKE it!

As I am putting more miles on it, I'm pushing it a little more here and there. It seems to have pretty good power all through the rpm range but comes on well at about 2200 and pulls steady. I haven't had it much above 3500rpm. It's definitely breathing better than the other engine and responds well to the secondary carb opening.

New clutch and shifter make it a pleasure to drive now.

Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: bobs66440] #1171704
05/19/12 12:25 PM
05/19/12 12:25 PM
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Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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Nice: I usually can't stop myself from pulling them to redline within the first 20 miles, I haven't hurt one yet.

Sheldon

Re: My Budget 440 Build - IT'S ALIVE!!! [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1171705
09/15/12 09:23 AM
09/15/12 09:23 AM
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Out in Left Field, NY
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Forgot to mention, the total cost including the headers was $3200. Not exactly a budget build, but not terrible.

As a side note, I have about 1200 miles on it so far and it's running perfect.

(knock on wood)

Re: My Budget 440 Build (Learning Experience) [Re: bobs66440] #1171706
09/15/12 09:29 PM
09/15/12 09:29 PM

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Sweet!

Mine runs flawlessly as well but need exhaust and a windshield to really try it out.

Great satisfaction in doing it yourself!

Re: My Budget 440 Build (Learning Experience) #1171707
09/16/12 05:25 PM
09/16/12 05:25 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,880
Out in Left Field, NY
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bobs66440 Offline OP
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You bet!

Re: My Budget 440 Build (Learning Experience) [Re: bobs66440] #1171708
03/03/13 03:54 PM
03/03/13 03:54 PM
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Out in Left Field, NY
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A little update. I put about 2000 miles on the engine, then had a (Comp) lifter bleeding down. Sooo, It's been off the road for the last 4 months while I rebuilt it. I had to change the cam (another Summit 6401) and switched to Johnson SEC lifters. I also had to have new push rods made. We broke it in yesterday. All went well fortunately, so it looks like we're back in business. What a hassle, over one bad lifter...

I made a video of it running...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sENN5TdGLI&feature=youtu.be


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