I'm considering buying a new 440 block versus investing in the used one I was going to start with. Investing in the Milodon support, all the various machining, etc. What would be the best, most cost effective new block to go with? Assuming there are options?

You can get a BMP new aluminum block. It ain’t cheap, but I’ve just been making payments. If I have to use my old low deck I will, but rather sell it. If you can use a low deck “B” that’s what I would use. I never hurt mine.

I am old enough to remember when they did not make an aftermarket block. I look at it this way how much HP did Chrysler engineers build the stock block to make? 400hp approximately. So if we take a stock block and make 700hp with it, we are overbuilding the block by a large amount. That will bite you eventually, seen it happen to other people myself included. I have done all the stuff, filled the block, aluminum main caps, 4 bolt main caps, main girdles, all just band aides. Unless you are just building a 500 HP engine buy the after-market block, money well invested.

I agree with jwb. I had low deck 400, 499 stroker, it ran very well..... BUT, could not run more than 35 degrees timing or detonated. I don’t want to take any more chances with block failure, hence the choice to aluminum. I have to wait longer to build it, lack of funds, but it won’t break. I have read many people made 800 horsepower with a 400 block and it lived. I called Koffel, and he builds these strokers all the time, He said that 800 was the limit. There are countless articles on this topic if you search the web. Good luck.

I'm at 850 on a 440 block. Does this mean I should be worried? LOL!

Pretty much any aftermarket block is better than a stock one....but

At one time i was going 9 teens at 140?? at 3500lbs , but at the time i looked at a calculator and it was 900+? hp , stock RB block, Stock caps, just alum rods. Its like russian roullette, if your lucky....your lucky....

I like my Indy Maxx

From what I've been reading/hearing the BMP is the best bang for the buck.

You will have to check price and current availability (delivery time) from dealers on all of them. But here are my 2-cents.
1) Keith Black. Strongest (IMO), and most expensive. $7,495 (web)
2) Indy Max. Next best of these 3. $7,300 (web)
3) Bill Mitchell Products (BMP). Best bang for the buck $6,195 (web) for less than 1500 hp. Link to BMP web site

Which, if any, needs e$$$tensive machine work (bad threads, leaks, blind galleries)?

All things being equal, an aftermarket block should make more power if the block isn't moving around.

Koleno high nickel block first, KB aluminum second and Bull Dog cast grey iron is my latest purchase.
High HP + coming soon

It was sad that Kolene went out of business ,And Keith Black just a lot of ........Look at the BMP block

I know that there has been a lot of rumors about Keith Black not having anything to sell but t-shirts, but when I called Tim at FHO they had blocks in stock and I had mine about 2 weeks after I ordered it. Just my 2 cents. * This was about one year ago- just for reference*

Haha, and when you order them they send you the wrong size and act like a-holes when you try to get them to fix it.

Oh well, my daughter got a neat looking small t-shirt of the wrong color to wear now.

Dang, This block is the only thing I have ever ordered from them.

Yeah, my question is... how much does it really cost to have a "ready to assemble" BMP aluminum block?

I posted the machine shop work on my BMP block here: 572 B1 org Part 3-Machine Shop Report
More info on the BMP block are in other "Parts" of my build topic(s). Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, etc.

.....For this thread? does anyone make an aftermarket short deck block in steel? Besides Indy,i know they make some aluminum short decks....Thanks.

Nope, your kinda stuck in a holding pattern....I think the Bulldog was the last one, and I believe they went quietly out of business. Not to mention the quality was not there...There just isn't enough people that want them to cover the costs....And yet $12k-$15k billet blocks go like hot cakes...I would love a Mopar moved centerline block & head setup so we can run some bigger cubes....I don't see that happening anytime in the near future either.

And as far as the aluminum ones go, I would love to hear the feedback on the current blocks from this past year or so.......I have had a few, and all with coolant or oiling issues....I just could not believe how thick the deck was, and yet they drilled right thru it on all the head bolts....I saw another where they drilled the trans bolt holes into the water jacket as well! I mean if anything is important in an aluminum block, its keeping the oil & water where it belongs!