540 Short block Questions
#1611124
04/23/14 06:55 PM
04/23/14 06:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
runnerrt
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
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I found a pretty good deal on a 540 short block in town and I have some questions. It would be going in to my 69 Bee street car with an occasional trip to the track. It is a 440 source kit, in a 1974 440 block. The block has been machined, bores notched and assembled. I was planning on doing a 489 stroker out of a 383 I have and this is a bit more than I was looking for, but the price is right. I figured that with something this size I can get my car to do what I want without pushing it to hard. Is the 540 a good combo and what potential issues is there with running a crank that big in a stock block ? I know I will need an external pick up oil system. Thanks for any input you may have.
1969 Super Bee High School car I got back
2004 Ram 2500
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: Airwoofer]
#1611126
04/23/14 07:36 PM
04/23/14 07:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
runnerrt
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
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I don't know. It is on my list of things that might be a good idea.
1969 Super Bee High School car I got back
2004 Ram 2500
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: runnerrt]
#1611127
04/23/14 07:51 PM
04/23/14 07:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,008
Sweet Home Alabama
MRMOPAR622
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,008
Sweet Home Alabama
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With a set of 440-1 or 572-13 heads the 540 will make you a good Street/Strip engine.If you do not wish to spend Big $$$ in a cam call Doug Herbert and get you a small roller camshaft & lifters for about the same price as a Hydraulic camshaft & lifters.They are a all around better camshaft they make more power and sound better than a hydraulic cam.And best of all they are very Street friendly.
PS If I had not use them myself I would not tell you this!
"To Be The Man'You Have Got To Beat The Man"
"T/D and Pro-Bracket Racer"
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: runnerrt]
#1611129
04/24/14 09:02 AM
04/24/14 09:02 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,023
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,023
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
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I built a stock block 535 (4.350 bore 4.5 stroke) years ago and with ported 906 heads it was a torque animal. Expect the power with stock size ports to be all done by 5000 to 5800 or so depending on cam. You won't have to rev this motor much to get the power due to its size. If the pistons and rods are fairly light, and the tuneup keeps the motor out of detonation at all times it should live a long life.
8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: Airwoofer]
#1611132
04/26/14 04:54 PM
04/26/14 04:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
runnerrt
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
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Well I bought it. I could not pass it up for the price. I will need to check with 440 source on the pin height on the pistons as I may go with a 4.25 stroke and make it a 512, if that would be a little easier on the bottom end. Or I may just sell it and do the 489/496 low deck and save on buying all of the additional parts. Thanks for the info so far.
1969 Super Bee High School car I got back
2004 Ram 2500
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: runnerrt]
#1611133
05/02/14 05:17 PM
05/02/14 05:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
runnerrt
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
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It looks like I am going to run with this. From what I was able to find here, it sounds like aluminum main caps and a girdle,keep it out of detonation and under 6000 rpm will all help it live. Would a short fill of the water jackets be overkill or added insurance ? I am going to use my MP aluminum 452 from my 383 on it with some port work, so the under 6000 should not be a problem. I am just trying to get me Bee into the mid to upper 11's. I don't think I will need to work it to hard to get there. It is mostly a street car and will only see about 10 to 15 passes a year. Any other advice/tips on this would be a great help. Thanks for everything so far.
1969 Super Bee High School car I got back
2004 Ram 2500
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: runnerrt]
#1611134
05/02/14 05:32 PM
05/02/14 05:32 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I wouldnt waste my time with a short fill... it only add heat on a street car... just keep the revs down and a good tune on it... try to keep the compression down so you can burn regular and run premium at the track 
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: runnerrt]
#1611135
05/02/14 05:53 PM
05/02/14 05:53 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,571
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick
Still wishing...
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Still wishing...
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,571
Downtown Roebuck Ont
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How much compression? 540 with those heads is going to be out of breath at 5000 so just put it in drive so it shifts at 4800 and let the torque be with you.  With a fairly tight converter it should hit your ET goals with 3.23's. I would spend some of that girdle and cap money inspecting the PO's engine building skills to make sure I got what I payed for and then spend the rest on the chassis. After you get it to hook you can start saving for drivetrain parts.  Kevin
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: Twostick]
#1611136
05/02/14 06:01 PM
05/02/14 06:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
runnerrt
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Lakewood, Colorado
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According to the 440 source site it is 13 to 1 with the 84 cc chambers. Its a 4 speed car so shifting will all be on me. I will be sending it to be checked out. Since it will be at the shop anyway I will get the caps and get it line bored as well. I am all ready planning for a Dana and new trans.
1969 Super Bee High School car I got back
2004 Ram 2500
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Re: 540 Short block Questions
[Re: runnerrt]
#1611137
05/02/14 06:13 PM
05/02/14 06:13 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
According to the 440 source site it is 13 to 1 with the 84 cc chambers. Its a 4 speed car so shifting will all be on me. I will be sending it to be checked out. Since it will be at the shop anyway I will get the caps and get it line bored as well. I am all ready planning for a Dana and new trans.
Myself... I would talk to your engine shop about
changing the pistons... why spend all that money
on fuel for a street car... maybe you can sell off
the pistons to help out... but no way would I spend
money for race fuel on the street
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BTW, expect traction issues with any of the big C.I. Mopar stroker motors 
If so run that with that compression