After 15 plus years of sitting idle in a garage, I’m starting to restore a matching numbers 440 B-Body. The car will most likely be taken to car shows (on rare occasions down the drag strip). I was advised to purchase another 440 engine block, rather than using the original (in the event something was to happen to the original block, the value on the vehicle will depreciate a considerable amount). I have been receiving GREAT advice from the forum, so I figured I would ask the following:
- Does anyone have recommendations on a company/brand to purchase a 440 engine block, cylinder heads and intake manifold from?
- If there is nothing wrong with the original crankshaft, would you reuse?

Please note that I'm open to purchasing from multiple companies.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Find another complete core 440 and build it , are you looking for date specific parts ?

I was planning to use most of the hardware from the original engine. However, I open to advice from the forum.

The original engine will survive an occasional run down the drag strip. The replace the engine advice is for guys that are planning on building a very modified high HP engine and running the crap out of it. i.e. high odds of blowing it up. It does not sound like you fall into this class.

Maybe you're gonna want to hammer it sometime...

Either on the street, or at Milan International Raceway...

If you got the original block bagged-no worries...

Scat happens...

Others more qualified will make recommendations as to the cylinder heads, but for what little money you can pay for a 440 block, I would without a doubt find another. Ask yourself this, is it cheaper to absord spending $300 to $600 max on a 440 block, or take a hit on the value of the car minus the matching numbers engine.

As far as cylinder heads, are you asking about factory head choices and/or the choice of aluminum heads, and is it worth the money to purchase aluminum heads for a mild engine with occasional weekend drag racing? Im asking the same thing. My car will be a show car puppy and occasional driver, and am considering the 6 pack option over aluminum heads as the 6 pack is always a crowd pleaser.