Re: 440 Engine Build Questions
[Re: Bill MeLater]
#232977
02/23/09 09:50 PM
02/23/09 09:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 982 W. Sacto CA. USA
phantomx
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 982
W. Sacto CA. USA
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If it were me, I'd build a stroker small block. Unless you have a lot of misc parts hanging around (sounds like you don't), it will be really expensive by the time you have a big block installed and running. You can re-use most of your current equipment if you stay small block. Travis..
70 GTX project, orig 440-4, 4 spd, track pack, FC7, stripper/street racer special.
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Re: 440 Engine Build Questions
[Re: RobG]
#232980
02/23/09 10:46 PM
02/23/09 10:46 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,675 Columbia, CT
moper
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,675
Columbia, CT
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Quote:
I see 360 blocks are easily available - have you ever stroked a 360? What power output can you get with one?
If I can get a '74 440 out of a B-van motor home with the 727 tans for $600 - is it a good starting point for a 500 hp setup? What do you think my total cost into this project may run ($3500 for machining and parts)?
I've built more than a few 4" LAs, all based on 340s, but same same really. The biggest difference are the heads. Get heads to feed them, and you can make any level you want. I'm not sure what the rest of your drivetrain is, but if you have a 727 and an 8 3/4, you have what you need. You'd need a convertor, but that's true with both paths. With a budget 4" build, keep the redline under 5500, and you can run mildly ported iron heads, a hydraulic cam, and make 450hp pretty easy. With OOTB ports RPMs, you can make a little more because you can build with quench in mind. A realistic budget would be $5500 depending on what you have for the 340. Headers and intake will probably get reused, same with rockers, tin, and heads.
The 440 from a van should be fine. Check the tailshaft of the trans for a steel cover screwed on the passenger side of the tailhousing. If it has one, you'll need to replace it to fit in an A body trans tunnel. A good rebuild with bolt ons can reach 500hp, but a good rebuild with good parts is more than $3500. Closer to $5000 depending on parts. However, add to the cost rebuilding the B727, shortening the driveshaft, preplacing the mounts, oil pan, headers and radiator, and modifying the wiring. So add another $2-3K after that.
Well, art is art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water! And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now, uh... Now you tell me what you know.
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Re: 440 Engine Build Questions
[Re: JohnRR]
#232981
02/23/09 11:00 PM
02/23/09 11:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,716 Baltimore/Denver
64Post
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,716
Baltimore/Denver
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Quote:
I know their can be differences in industrial blocks and "normal" blocks. Some of the motor home blocks will work but things like oil pan, H2O pump might be different. If you are starting from scratch you might just want to pick up a 400 block and stroke it. With the price of kits these days it makes no sense to re-do a 30+ year old block and machine the crank/rods/pistons and so on when you can get a complete kit for around $1300 form 451 cubes to 500. Plus you can tell peopel it's just a little 383.
$1300 stroker KITS are now more like $1900 ...
Why are they sooo cheap, John...??? ![](/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devil.gif)
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Re: 440 Engine Build Questions
[Re: 64Post]
#232982
02/23/09 11:09 PM
02/23/09 11:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 671 Wisconsin USA
Bill MeLater
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 671
Wisconsin USA
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Quote:
Quote:
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I know their can be differences in industrial blocks and "normal" blocks. Some of the motor home blocks will work but things like oil pan, H2O pump might be different. If you are starting from scratch you might just want to pick up a 400 block and stroke it. With the price of kits these days it makes no sense to re-do a 30+ year old block and machine the crank/rods/pistons and so on when you can get a complete kit for around $1300 form 451 cubes to 500. Plus you can tell peopel it's just a little 383.
$1300 stroker KITS are now more like $1900 ...
Why are they sooo cheap, John...???
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Re: 440 Engine Build Questions
[Re: 64Post]
#232983
02/24/09 10:29 AM
02/24/09 10:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,134 A Banana Republic near you.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,134
A Banana Republic near you.
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I know their can be differences in industrial blocks and "normal" blocks. Some of the motor home blocks will work but things like oil pan, H2O pump might be different. If you are starting from scratch you might just want to pick up a 400 block and stroke it. With the price of kits these days it makes no sense to re-do a 30+ year old block and machine the crank/rods/pistons and so on when you can get a complete kit for around $1300 form 451 cubes to 500. Plus you can tell peopel it's just a little 383.
$1300 stroker KITS are now more like $1900 ...
Why are they sooo cheap, John...???
Is this a TRICK question ???
Because you get what you pay for ??? ![](/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/popcrn.gif)
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