I am picking up a 1967 440 with 87,000 original miles on the motor. It has the 915 heads on it.. Would it be possible to do a re-ring and bearings and then just run it?

Are the 915 heads a good start to a build?

Thanks!!

Ryan

They're desireable even if they just have the 160 exhaust valves. Don't throw them away.

1st Q would be what do you want out of for performance? and what is it going into and how much money do you have to spend

I would like to build a car that can cruise on the street and still run mid 12's for well... CHEAP

It is going into a 1968 Dodge Charger.. I have a few performance parts floating around already. I had originaly planned on building my 383, but that looked like a pain in the ass piston wise..

Then this 440 popped up on craigslist so I jumped on it.

I would love a streatable 500 HP.. Money is not a HUGE problem as I am not in a hurry to finish it, just a fun project.

Hello The 915 heads came two ways , 160 exhaust valves and 174 exhaust valves , If you have the 160 valves they can be cut out for the 174 valves . I like the 915 heads , I have put them a lot of big blocks that I have redone.I put them on with the steel shim head gaskets. Most of the time the pistons is six pack L2355 or L2366 flat top pistons .030 with the Mopar cam kit 484 or 509 . If you need any more info e-mail . Thanks 70-sixpack

You could rering it and that is dependent on the condition of the crank journals (probably OK) and especially #1 the amt of out of round/taper on the bores/piston wear plus a valve job & assuming the guides/stems and the ex valves(they run hotter) are not excessively worn (& being 1.60" as said) but this would not get you nowhere close to 500 HP plus you have a worn stock cam. A properly done set of 915's will approach the cost of a set of stealths ($899) and the advertized CR is iirc 10.1:1 with the actual being in the 9's w no quench . A good plan would be to select some KB's of the proper CR plus getting quench and I forgot to ask are you planning on running pump gas w nothing added? If it's up & running you could run it as is or rering it in short order or w time /money build it up to get close to your intended HP level. The 915's are worth money so you can recoup a good chunk of your investment by unloading them.

I will find out more tomorrow and post it up... I guess the summit forged rebuild kits would work good for this engine at $679 or so..

Or if it's in good shape perhaps a hone and re-ring.

I ahve an old Hughes Engines hydr camshaft I could use also. Here are the specs on the CAM I have:

HE2330BL INT .504"
EXH .515"
223
230

272
276

110 4.5 BTC
48 BBC 38.5 ABC
2 ATC

Not sure if this is a decent cam or not, and how it compares to say the Purple 484 or 509 cam.

But i do HAVE IT so that is money saved if it can be used.

You'll have to check taper and crank journal condition to see if you ring and bearing it. I would lay a straight edge across the valve tips to see how far the valves are sunk in those heads. 915 heads are a big deal to some but the last set I had done cost the same as a set of off the shelf Edelbrocks and I did the porting on them myself.

Sheldon

as for the heads, they are one of the best factory heads mopar put on a 440, as stated above the ole trw 6 pak slugs at zero deck with little shaved off the 915's is a pretty stout factory iron 440. throw a 850 holley dp on a decent intake and go!

Ok!! Picked up the engine and other components today..

Block pad on top reads:

C440
12 19 2

Casting on side is 10.24.66
2536430-9

Rods are LY

Heads are:
2780915-1
Int valve 2.08
Exh Valve 1.60

Pistons have a 2843976 or possible a 5? on them
Some have little holes in the sides on the flats, and some don't (or covers in gunk perhaps)

The bores look great but it does have a slight ridge on it..

Almost all the factory paint is good (will paint anyhow.)

All bearing sizes are standard. factory size.


Looks like a good engine kit is in order. What pistons are a good start to getting this thing to zero deck?

KB's but not sure of the #. you sure you dont want to sell/ship that eng to me and start w something built/hot/ready to run

What ya got...

Also just went through my parts from my old 383 that I stripped down.. (it's been 9 years) and I have these parts already for the 440 that can swap over.

Crane Gold 1.5 roller rockers
TCI "rattler" dampener
Milodon PAN and Pickup
Mellings HV Pump
Mopar Aluminum water pump AND housing
1&3/4" headers
Hughes HE2330 camshaft (may change that)
Cloyes double roller gear and chain 3 bolt

And a few other small parts.

This is going to be FUN AGAIN!

If it was my project I'd consider having new exhaust seats installed (1.74's) and a competition valve job. If you are comfortable I'd also do a little gasket matching on the ports. If you are not comfortable leave them be. I've seen more heads butchered by people that have no business using a die grinder.

Quote:

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yep doesn't sound like that 440 is going anywhere soon

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Do I need to get rid of a know bad part in the parts list I have?



And do I need to do seats on just the exhaust side? I am sure I could port them myself with some templates, but like others have said.. If I am going to be $800 into the 915's I may as well get stealths..

Roger that!!!

Looks like the stealths are the way to go, or eddys... I would rather do that then dick with the 915's I will save those for the folks who need them..

Standard Volume pump noted.. The KB Pistons look perfect!!

It's hard for me to go away from "forged" as that is all you hear about in the race engines, but if you guys say they will work fine in my application then pefect for me!!