Hey all, I am looking for some advise on a budget build 440 I am putting together. I am trying to decide if I can use the parts I have on hand without issue or should I just spend the money on the right parts.

In short, I have a 77 440 Ramcharger with 39k miles on the stock low compression rebuild. I recently acquired a set of Eddy E street heads to help raise the compression. I had intended on Calling up Hughes engines and ordering their 440 Whiplash cam which is designed specifically for the low compression motors. All my local buddies are giving me a hard time as I have brand new Comp Cams XE284 sitting on the shelf and I felt the cam would bleed off too much compression defeating my overall goal. My other concern would be I have no intention of buying an aftermarket converter. Would the cam work with a stock converter in a 4000lb truck with 3.91 gears?

I'm not looking to make a 500hp motor but rather a strong 440 weekend driver/sand dune rig

The parts I have on the self are as follows:

Fresh-ish low compression 440
Eddy 75cc E-street heads
Fully ported Eddy RPM intake from older build
Comp cams XE284 cam and matching springs
MP 284 484 cam
Comp Cam Roller 1.6 roller rockers
Comp Cams Roller chain
Headman Headers
Holly 750 dp (may install a sniper system)

Will the XE284 work ok on the street without a converter?

Thanks

I wouldn't do it - especially if you don't plan on buying aftermarket converter. That cam calls for a 2800 stall, short gears (with truck tires you'll need even more gear) and makes power starting at 2300 RPM. I'd use something more in the 224@.050" duration range for that. That MP 484 Purple cam would be even a worse choice. More knowledgeable people will chime in with recommendations.

Your friends are more of a street car build mentality aren't they?

After owning MANY 318 and 360 Ramchargers and w150 pickups etc, I always wanted to drive a 440 stocker similar beast. I would go easy on cam choice.

The Eddy heads won't give you much more compression than you already have. I have the same engine in my 77 pickup, with closed chamber heads and now instead of having 7 to 1 compression, I now have 7.8 to 1 compression. Not a very big gain. The one advantage to having the Eddy heads and RPM intake, is that you will get much better air flow into the engine. The cams you have listed will kill low end power and in your rig you need all the low to mid range power you can get. I run a Summit Racing #6400 cam and I'm very happy with it. It has 214 224 duration @ .050 lift and .444 .466 valve lift. It is very similar to the factory HP cam from the 60's and early 70's I tried a Hughes Whiplash cam, installed it per their instructions and never could get the motor to run right.. Some guys have good luck with them, but this was my experience.

hi

summit 6400 cam !

neither cam is good for a ramcharger. I agree the summit 6400 is a good budget cam for ease of use and will give you plenty of torque.

I don't know that I agree with the above recommendations. For what would normally be considered a truck cam then yes 100% agree, but an off road sand dune racer or mud racer you will be spinning the engine a lot higher. Low RPM torque is not in your best interest here. Now rock climbing, pulling a trailer or general dirt trail driving is a different story. With all the gear available in a 4WD vehicle the extra RPMs are very useable. As for the converter I know a stock 11" converter from a HP BB car works fine with the MP 284 cam.
I have a Comp Nostalgia Plus cam in my Power Wagon with a 360 right now and love it but it is a 4 speed and has 4.10 gears.

He did say weekend driver/sand truck. I guess it depends on which way he is leaning more towards. Wouldn't those two cams that he already has be complete dogs on the street? I'm assuming with it being a 4x4 he'll be running some pretty tall tires to boot. Is a factory converter and 3.9 gears going to be enough? I'd think in a street car, but not something like this.

Besides, what about compression? If that is a late 70's 440 what is the compression at, 7.5:1? Even with closed chambered heads you're at maybe, 8.5:1? That's still a full point under the recommended compression.

Instead of something as docile as the Summit cam, split the difference between that and what he has available?

People get hung up on the compression when choosing cams. To me the operating range is far more important than the suggested compression ratio. A 440 is going to make torque no matter what. He's not looking for a stop light racer. In 1st gear in 4 wheel low the gearing is what, 7:1 or something? Plenty of gear to get that beast rolling even with 3.55 differential gears and 35" tires.