Im seeing that 240 grit is the recommended grit for honing for iron rings, is is that what you guys would use?

Reuse the bearings....no dice on the hv pump. Not fun w a stock pan and hv pump to look down bout half way through 2nd and not have any OP. YRMV

Ridge ream it, hone, rings and hammer down...

Definitely get the ridge out of the bores or you may end up having to tear it back down to replace pistons that have broken ring lands. My 77 440 idles in gear, hot, at 65lbs of oil pressure with a stock pump and the original factory bearings. No need for a high volume oil pump. A hone with 240 grit should be fine for cast iron rings. I've seen 180 grit hones used for cast before.

What are the ring groove sizes for my pistons? 5/64" 5/64" 3/16"?

Because he's slapping new bearings on worn out journals. This is the application hv pumps were intended for.

I thought about that too, however I had no problems when I threw a new set of rings in my 76 440.

If anything new bearing on a worn journal would potentially restore some clearance, not make it worse.

Everyone puts on a Hi Volume pump because that is the hi performance thing to do.

It will suck a 4qt sump pan dry that is low on oil

You got that right John. They do more harm than good and rob horsepower too.

Why would you use a stock pan?

Budget build. But I am trying to sell or trade my 699 pan to get at least seven quart for mine

If this engine is for a street car, I would use nothing else but a HV oil pump...


If for nothing else, the cooling capability...


Been running one for many years on a street car...


Temp is the enemy on a car that's gonna see extended running time...

The phrase if it ain't broke don't fix it comes to mind here.

You are doing a basic stock spec rebuild here with some minor bolt on improvements. A couple of DIY mods to that stock pan to keep the oil in the sump is all it needs.

As for the HV pump, not likely needed. Here's a test. Use the original pump (after inspection) and make note of your hot oil pressure. It should be in the 55-65 psi range throttled up which is lots for an engine that won't see over 6000 RPM. Pull the relief spring out and shim it with a flat washer. If your hot oil pressure is now higher, the regular volume pump is able to supply more oil than you need.

If it isn't, then the cam bearings are likely worn out. On a low buck engine the easy way to crutch this up is a HV pump.

Kevin

Generating higher pressure and running unneeded oil thru the bypass actually generates more heat.

Kevin

HV...

Higher VOLUME...

Not pressure...

Because the car is stock looking and a pan that drags on the street if you look at a pothole crosseyed is not an option.

But if one does nothing to increase the flow a hi volume pump does nothing but cycle the excess volume thru the return ... creating heat ... and RAISES the pressure ... because pressure is a restriction to flow ...

Exactly guys. I have no idea why the hv pump idea wont die. With new bearings no less. It has staying power better than the pyramids.

No, that isnt what a hv pump was ever for. New bearings should bring up the pressure with a standard pump. I wouldnt bother changing them unless they were real bad anyway. At that point you'd likely want to polish or cut the journals, which also raises pressure.

A hv pump is a crutch for a trashed, ragged out engine. Thinking new bearings go hand in hand with one is wrong.

I bought a 4oo years ago that was supposedly rebuilt. The oil light would come on at idle. The guy never checked or replaced the cam bearings. Even with an HV pump the light would flicker at idle in gear. I put a HP spring in the HV pump, problem solved. Cam was bouncing around in what was left of the bearings. A year later I went through the engine, new cam bearings, did it right. Not thinking I threw the same pump back on. It was after the 2nd oil filter exploded that I realized what I had done. A good used stock pump cured that. I would only consider using an HV pump if the bearing clearances were huge and if they're more than .003, then the crank needs grinding anyway.

Alright guys I reamed the ridges off. It left a grainy surface but I think I did it right, my finger nail doesn't catch any sort of Ridge anymore.