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Re: 440 Blocks [Re: AndyF] #2671871
06/30/19 11:20 AM
06/30/19 11:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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BradH Offline
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline
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Val-haul-ass... eventually
Originally Posted by AndyF
My guess on the statistics is that a very low percentage of the low hp blocks crack while a very high percentage of the high hp blocks crack. I doubt the curve is linear, most likely exponential. They probably all crack once you get above 900 hp NA. Maybe 50% of them crack at the 800 hp level and 25% crack at 700 hp.

My assumption on the % responding 'Yes' is these are all relatively high performance builds, or have had a pretty hard life. I've seen blocks with main studs & stock caps still show obvious signs of cap walk and the engines were (only?) making in the range of 500 to 550 HP.

I don't know if there is an obvious power level where the situation changes from "Yeah, they do that... " to "You better start looking for a new block... soon."

Last edited by BradH; 06/30/19 11:29 AM.
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: DusterKid] #2671879
06/30/19 11:39 AM
06/30/19 11:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman Online content
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rickseeman  Online Content
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,603
Stuttgart, Arkansas
Originally Posted by DusterKid
Thanks for the replies guy. I'm looking to build a 625-650hp engine to help get my car to run 6.50s on a hot muggy day to be able to run a 6.50 index class. I've been running 440's for years but just stock stroke stuff and nothing over the top. I have both 400 and 440 blocks. My gut tells me to go with a 400 block, but my wallet says 440 since I would need less parts. I think I would be fine with a 440 as I'd like it to run on pump gas. I'd like to shift at 6000 and never turn it over 6500. But if it would crack than I'd be kicking myself...Decisions decisions


I say build it. And quit worrying about if your block is going to crack.


2011 Drag Pak Challenger
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: DusterKid] #2671913
06/30/19 12:33 PM
06/30/19 12:33 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
C
Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
I Win
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
My first 400 pump gas stroker motor was built with a 4.25 stroke crankshaft from Ohio Crankshaft company with a set of CAT brand 6.800 long BB Chevy H beam rods with a set of Ross dish pistons and a set of 906 iron heads that made exactly 9.25 to 1 compression ratio.
I put a custom(260@.050 intake with .420 lobe lift, 266 @.050 on the exhaust with .409 lobe lift ground on a 108 LSA grind Comp Cams solid roller cam in it. I put a stock type low deck six pack Eddy intake with a set of 1970 440 carbs on it.
That combination made 612 HP @ 5500 RPm and 644 Ft. Lbs at 4500 RPM and help my 3450 Lb. Duster run 10.69 at 124 MPH the first time out.
I race the heck out of that block, it had four sleeves and a welded up deck due to a head gasket blowing out the deck between #4 and #6 shruggyI did have a set of Mopar brand Ductile iron main caps and asset of ARP main studs installed in the block to start with up
I ended up switching heads and increase the stroke to 4.300 to get the compression up and the car ended up running a best of 9.993 at 134.6 MPH with the air cleaner on and full 3.0 inch exhaust to the rear bumper hook up boogie
My message is the stock 400 blocks will take a lot of beating with decent (under 800 HP) amount of power as long as you get it tune properly up Don't let it ping or detonate ever tsk I did let it do that a little on the first combination with the iron heads and it made the main caps fret and walk a little, I dress them up with a good flat file and ran it a lot more, no failures yet as far as I know work shruggy


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: rickseeman] #2671919
06/30/19 12:41 PM
06/30/19 12:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,237
North Central, Indiana
Roughbird72 Offline
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Roughbird72  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,237
North Central, Indiana
Originally Posted by rickseeman
Originally Posted by DusterKid
Thanks for the replies guy. I'm looking to build a 625-650hp engine to help get my car to run 6.50s on a hot muggy day to be able to run a 6.50 index class. I've been running 440's for years but just stock stroke stuff and nothing over the top. I have both 400 and 440 blocks. My gut tells me to go with a 400 block, but my wallet says 440 since I would need less parts. I think I would be fine with a 440 as I'd like it to run on pump gas. I'd like to shift at 6000 and never turn it over 6500. But if it would crack than I'd be kicking myself...Decisions decisions


I say build it. And quit worrying about if your block is going to crack.


iagree

If you're worried about detonation (kills engines), mix a little race fuel to your pump gas.
How heavy is your car?

Last edited by Roughbird72; 06/30/19 12:42 PM.

72 Plymouth Roadrunner 11.08@123.25
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: DusterKid] #2671956
06/30/19 02:52 PM
06/30/19 02:52 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
pittsburghracer Offline
"Little"John
pittsburghracer  Offline
"Little"John

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
Originally Posted by DusterKid
Thanks for the replies guy. I'm looking to build a 625-650hp engine to help get my car to run 6.50s on a hot muggy day to be able to run a 6.50 index class. I've been running 440's for years but just stock stroke stuff and nothing over the top. I have both 400 and 440 blocks. My gut tells me to go with a 400 block, but my wallet says 440 since I would need less parts. I think I would be fine with a 440 as I'd like it to run on pump gas. I'd like to shift at 6000 and never turn it over 6500. But if it would crack than I'd be kicking myself...Decisions decisions





Not sure what your car weights but did you ever consider building a small block stroker engine. 6.50’s is a pretty easy to hit goal and you won’t have to worry about splitting a block. Lighter and easier to work on is an added bonus


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: 440 Blocks [Re: B1MAXX] #2671968
06/30/19 03:32 PM
06/30/19 03:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,304
Las Vegas
Al_Alguire Offline
I Live Here
Al_Alguire  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,304
Las Vegas
Here is the last 440 based engine I built. Was just supposed to be for my 658 D100 but ended up in the kids dragster. Ran great for about 120 runs, run 121 not so much.

[Linked Image]


"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."

"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: Roughbird72] #2672094
06/30/19 08:31 PM
06/30/19 08:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,768
Keymar, MD
DusterKid Offline OP
top fuel
DusterKid  Offline OP
top fuel

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,768
Keymar, MD
Originally Posted by Roughbird72
Originally Posted by rickseeman
Originally Posted by DusterKid
Thanks for the replies guy. I'm looking to build a 625-650hp engine to help get my car to run 6.50s on a hot muggy day to be able to run a 6.50 index class. I've been running 440's for years but just stock stroke stuff and nothing over the top. I have both 400 and 440 blocks. My gut tells me to go with a 400 block, but my wallet says 440 since I would need less parts. I think I would be fine with a 440 as I'd like it to run on pump gas. I'd like to shift at 6000 and never turn it over 6500. But if it would crack than I'd be kicking myself...Decisions decisions


I say build it. And quit worrying about if your block is going to crack.


iagree

If you're worried about detonation (kills engines), mix a little race fuel to your pump gas.
How heavy is your car?


3150lbs with driver

Re: 440 Blocks [Re: pittsburghracer] #2672097
06/30/19 08:36 PM
06/30/19 08:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,768
Keymar, MD
DusterKid Offline OP
top fuel
DusterKid  Offline OP
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Posts: 1,768
Keymar, MD
Originally Posted by pittsburghracer
Originally Posted by DusterKid
Thanks for the replies guy. I'm looking to build a 625-650hp engine to help get my car to run 6.50s on a hot muggy day to be able to run a 6.50 index class. I've been running 440's for years but just stock stroke stuff and nothing over the top. I have both 400 and 440 blocks. My gut tells me to go with a 400 block, but my wallet says 440 since I would need less parts. I think I would be fine with a 440 as I'd like it to run on pump gas. I'd like to shift at 6000 and never turn it over 6500. But if it would crack than I'd be kicking myself...Decisions decisions





Not sure what your car weights but did you ever consider building a small block stroker engine. 6.50’s is a pretty easy to hit goal and you won’t have to worry about splitting a block. Lighter and easier to work on is an added bonus


At times I"ve thought about that, but I got the car where it's gotten easier to work on with the BB. Plus there's just something about the sound of a BB that a SB can't make.

Re: 440 Blocks [Re: BradH] #2672100
06/30/19 08:42 PM
06/30/19 08:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,830
N.E. Ohio
6bblFLASH Offline
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6bblFLASH  Offline
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Posts: 3,830
N.E. Ohio
Mine cracked up thru the mains.
Was racing it that way, found it doing other stuff to it.
Really can't blame the block entirely. whistling
Stickcar,too much clutch. Block had froze and cracked the water jackets years before.
Pounding it in the 9's with cracks on the outside. drive

Last edited by 6bblFLASH; 06/30/19 08:48 PM.

70` Cuda`,440 6BBL Jerico,Dana 4.56 Still on 93 Pump Gas
9.87 @ 136/1.31-60ft.`09 Mopar Nationals PASSON PERFORMANCE "Stick-Shift" Champ!
2013 StickShift Challenge Winner@ Mopar Nationals!
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: Al_Alguire] #2672106
06/30/19 08:52 PM
06/30/19 08:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
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madscientist Offline
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madscientist  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
Originally Posted by Al_Alguire
Here is the last 440 based engine I built. Was just supposed to be for my 658 D100 but ended up in the kids dragster. Ran great for about 120 runs, run 121 not so much.

[Linked Image]



LOL. The 121st run was an unhappy run!! I hate to see that, but that is getting pretty thin.


Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: madscientist] #2672229
07/01/19 06:40 AM
07/01/19 06:40 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,457
Sydney,Australia
tex013 Offline
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tex013  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,457
Sydney,Australia
My 505 split the #4 main across the oil feed hole and out to both sides of block . Went up 1 cylinder into water jacket .
10.50/70s . Left at 3500 shifted @ 6000
Ran for 18 months
Machine shop said suprised it happened so soon , tnough also said it really was a "when" issue
I now have a World block , see no value doing the same again possibly with worse results

Tex


New best ET 10.259@129.65 .
New best MPH 130.32
Finally fitted a solid cam,
stepped it up a bit more
3690lbs through the mufflers
New World block 3780lbs 10.278@130.80 . Wowser 10.253@130.24 footbraking from 1500rpm
Power by Tex's Automotive
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: tex013] #2672231
07/01/19 06:47 AM
07/01/19 06:47 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,457
Sydney,Australia
tex013 Offline
top fuel
tex013  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,457
Sydney,Australia
Pic


Tex

20190301_171802.jpg20190302_125531.jpg20190304_143230.jpg

New best ET 10.259@129.65 .
New best MPH 130.32
Finally fitted a solid cam,
stepped it up a bit more
3690lbs through the mufflers
New World block 3780lbs 10.278@130.80 . Wowser 10.253@130.24 footbraking from 1500rpm
Power by Tex's Automotive
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: tex013] #2672345
07/01/19 09:07 AM
07/01/19 09:07 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,237
North Central, Indiana
Roughbird72 Offline
pro stock
Roughbird72  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,237
North Central, Indiana
Just overthinking here.
Of those blocks that cracked, how many were running heads with a stock port window and with a MW port window? shruggy


72 Plymouth Roadrunner 11.08@123.25
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: Roughbird72] #2672446
07/01/19 11:04 AM
07/01/19 11:04 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,379
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula Offline
I Live Here
Dragula  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,379
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
For us, we keep the rpms down to 6500 or less and have no broke one yet....We run a girdle on all our builds.


'70 Cuda,...605 EFI Hemi Street Car (6.20 best pass, 1.33 60ft)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYw6RA-k5Bk (6.25 at 108.75mph from inside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQEb9uxFng (6.25 at 108mph from outside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCvfzsC4NgM (9.9)

'66 Barracuda AWB Stretched nose Blown 440 Car in build stage

'71 Duster Drag Car 400 Low Deck 512 best 6.002 at 115.44mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znuo3jMUXTk
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: Roughbird72] #2672469
07/01/19 11:27 AM
07/01/19 11:27 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
B
BradH Offline
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline
Taking time off to work on my car
B

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
Originally Posted by Roughbird72
Just overthinking here.
Of those blocks that cracked, how many were running heads with a stock port window and with a MW port window? shruggy

I don't think it makes a difference. Based on everything described above, my stock-stroke / stock port window 452 RB makes enough power to tell me the fuse is probably lit on the current block already. (Of course, it'll last virtually forever, as long as it's still bolted to an engine stand. whistling )

Re: 440 Blocks [Re: madscientist] #2672478
07/01/19 11:36 AM
07/01/19 11:36 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
B
BradH Offline
Taking time off to work on my car
BradH  Offline
Taking time off to work on my car
B

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
Originally Posted by Al_Alguire
Here is the last 440 based engine I built. Was just supposed to be for my 658 D100 but ended up in the kids dragster. Ran great for about 120 runs, run 121 not so much.

[Linked Image]


^^^ I have seen the future... and it ain't pretty. luck

Re: 440 Blocks [Re: BradH] #2672676
07/01/19 06:31 PM
07/01/19 06:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 675
Southern Alberta
Uberpube Offline
mopar
Uberpube  Offline
mopar

Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 675
Southern Alberta
Medium built .030 over 440 milled and ported 452's, mopar 484 cam, boat anchor l2266f pistons on cast crank with shot peened stock rods/arp bolts. Mains are studded.
Engine is 4spd 4x4, bounced the engine off 6500 rpm a ton in the mud, and its still alive 19 years later.

Re: 440 Blocks [Re: Uberpube] #2672714
07/01/19 07:56 PM
07/01/19 07:56 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,646
Ringtown, Pa.
Dartsport540 Offline
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Dartsport540  Offline
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Ringtown, Pa.
Cracked 2 440 blocks. They were both stoked to 505 cu. in. 3 years on each, about 400 to 450 passes each. 1st one that cracked hit water. 2nd one was cracked but didn't hit water yet. I think they were both cracked above #2 main. Both shifted at 6100, and went thru the traps at 6600 rpm.

Switched to a Bill Mitchell aluminum block 3 years ago. Between 425 and 450 passes, in 3 years. Was in great shape when freshened up this last winter. Went to 540 cu. in. when we built it with aluminum block...


548 cu. in., Bill Mitchell Aluminum Block, CRT 727 auto trans, Alston Chassis. 8.981et at 149.46 mph. 1.204et - 60 foot, So Far....
Re: 440 Blocks [Re: Dartsport540] #2672730
07/01/19 08:32 PM
07/01/19 08:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,651
Wichita
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GY3 Offline
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GY3  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Wichita
We are on our 4th year with the 505" 440.

Hundreds of dragstrip passes and 5700+ hard street miles.

It makes ~600 hp n/a and we did quite a few 150hp shot nitrous passes last year. Upped it to 200 this year but not many passes yet because of rain.


I did main studs, stock caps and used a late 70's block with only .030 overbore. Rev limiter is set at 6400 and it never hits that.

The rotating assembly is really light and I'm convinced that is part of what helps it stay together.


'63 Dodge 330
11.19 @ 121 mph
Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs.
10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.

Re: 440 Blocks [Re: DusterKid] #2672786
07/01/19 10:02 PM
07/01/19 10:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,130
Melbourne , Australia
LA360 Offline
master
LA360  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,130
Melbourne , Australia
Originally Posted by DusterKid
Plus there's just something about the sound of a BB that a SB can't make.


Is it because they're like a kid with asthma trying to run?


Alan Jones
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