I am thinking about building a new short block for my Road Runner. Want to go with a Indy aluminum block. Just curious what others have used for internal parts in that combo.

Jeff

Hemi.

Those are for high rollers not poor people like me.

I currently have a 474 with stage6 heads and a 690 comp roller. I just got my Indy block and am in the same boat. I think the 690 is plenty of cam for a natural aspirated . Waiting to get my 4.25 crank. Its going to be an Eagle 4340 with 440 mains and 2.2 rod end. I have not picked a rod as I am think about hanging one 88 mm turbo off the front. Great thread. Thanks for starting it. Birdtracker

If you are going to go with an alloy block I am guessing you plan on putting some serious heads on it?
A basic combo would be 4.25 stroke, 4.50 bore, B1 or B1Mc heads, 6.535 long aluminum rods, standard 9.980 deck and a good quality crank.
Paul Pitman ran this combo with the Mc heads many years ago, made a bundle of power. (1050?)

What is the intended application and use?

Greg, I would use my current Indy SR heads. Probably have the ports cleaned up a little more and go to a 2.25 intake valve. I would like to make around 830-850hp and keep the Rpms under 7200. If I was going to change heads I would just build a 605 HEMI, but I do not want my Jerico trans to be a ticking time bomb.

I just want to build a very solid bracket motor that will last.

Sell the wedge stuff and build a 605. You'll have to ditch the Jerico. My underheaded 605 makes 853hp@5782rpm.Dave

Unless I have my left leg amputated, I will NEVER run a automatic trans. I'd rather give up racing and take up knitting.

Somewhat like you Jeff, I'm thinking reliability, especially now that I split a cylinder. Guess Ill call fiat and order my new block.

i'm wanting a sweater. what are your knitting skills like?

I didn't say give up a 4 spd, maybe upgrade.

Jeff, running those heads you should have no problem staying below 7200 rpm, maybe even 7000 max or less if you want to run a gear to trap at shift rpm. My 528 with 440-1 heads makes max power at 6900 (on Methanol though) as a rough bench mark.
One question I have is about running steel rods with the alloy block. To get decent quench when hot, the pistons may end up with only .020 piston to head clearance when cold to get .040 at running temp? That might make it necessary to run aluminum rods?
That weight loss up front sure will be nice! Care to say what you figure the block ready to assemble costs?

If you are gonna stick with the SR heads, maybe go with a 4.44 bore?

Save the 4.5 bore until you upgrade to some better heads?

Either way, it will make a ton of torque and be a blast to drive!

Indy makes the blocks with 2 different sleeve outside dia. One for 4.375 to 4.440 and one for 4.500 so you have to chrange sleeves. Didn't just make a thick wall sleeve that can be bored from 4.375 to 4.500. Another way to milk more money out I guess.

I will take the biggest bore I can get all day long. The bare block from Indy is $4800. I would then take it to my machinist and have him do the final cleanup work.

On a low deck the 4.25" 6.535" 2.200/.990 (BBC journal & Pin) Rod bottom end is proven strong and reliable and not too hard on the block side loading, it gives you about a 1.32" Compression height piston. If I were going High dollar block I think I would opt for a 6.700 rod, 6.800" is doable as well but it puts the pin way up in the piston/ring pack.

but If I were going aluminum block I think I'd just go all-out and get an RB and maybe even a raised cam core and go BIGGER on the stroke and long as possible on the rod. Why build a 540 when you can build a 605 for the same $$$. the weight savings is in the Aluminum block, 605 is like an extra cylinder's worth of displacement.

We have a few on our FaceBook page. Here is a link to one of them https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.709748919080794.1073741846.135175363204822&type=3

my 540 low deck,630 block uses a 4.500 ohio crank that lighten,400 mains,chevy 2.20 rod ends,bme 396 aluminum rods

Thanks Pete. I have looked at those pictures. Are the Compstar rods Callies?

As for upgrading this that and every other thing possible, well I am not made of money. I possibly have a chance to sell my current 499 short block, and just want to upgrade to a nice reliable piece. Nothing more nothing less...

When I hit the lottery then yes I'll be building a 605 HEMI with a Liberty 5 speed. Until then...