440 Restoration Blocks

Any opinions on the quality of the Mopar Performance restoration blocks? I have an opportunity to buy a Muscle Motors 487 built on a this block. I never heard of that displacement, but would guess it has something to do with bore size. It has a couple hundred miles on it and has been well oiled and on a shelf for about 3 years. Restoration purist type removed it. What's something like this worth?

You need to find out which block casting number it is and see if you can get a job order number or order number from Hughes and then contact Hughes to find out what bore and stroke this motor is. Some of the early Mega blocks couldn't be bored more than 4.380 safely is what I have learned on here As far as value it is only worth what your willing to pay for it Good luck, think twice, act once

487 calculates out to 4.32 x 4.15.

That's what I'd put my money on.

R.

Thanks. I indeed have to think twice. Have an original 225 Challenger convert. Seems like all have been cloned and not sure if I want to follow that parade. So, I am on the far ends of the spectrum and can't decide which is best. Frankly, I am not much of a speed freak anymore but the habits of 35+ years die hard ---- that is go for the baddest motor you can afford.

Stick with the 225.
Be different.

You can always hop it up a bit

I have an Offenhauser 2 x 1bbl intake I picked up along the way. Also have a cast Offenhauser valve cover and a header. Was to be used on a project I sold some time ago but may be neat on the Challenger. That would provide some interesting eye wash (and some ribbing from some). Would possibly swap out the original 3 speed manual for a 4 speed OD and thereby allow a steep rear gear. Probably quick enough for this geezer and it would definitely be "different". Also have all parts on the shelf as opposed to shelling out more cash.

The MP restoration block is a replacement 440 done from the time frame of the Crate hemi , if it's the block in my 2002 MP catolog it will be the HD casting ... hi nickel alloy water block, not siamese bore block, thicker decks, it has wedge mounting ears AND the 3 center mains are crossbolted. Stout piece. It's the same block they built the crate hemi's on so it will weigh more than a dedicated 440 block.

Can't say what it's worth , what does the seller want for it ? It probably cost over 8k to build ... depending on the head choice.

I think I could get it for around 4 grand. 906 heads and 9.25 CR are drawbacks. Hydraulic flat tappet. All new parts. I agree about the cost to build it new. I am interested to hear they were good parts --- I wasn't familiar with them and also feared they were siamesed bore.

Oh yeah ---- I think the casting number or part number may be 5007672. Does that make sense?

A 225 is an engine just begging for a turbocharger.

Putting a big engine in a Challenger has been done. Putting a big engine in a Challenger convertible is questionable at best. The convertible is less rigid than a hardtop and even the hardtops twisted with a bigblock and decent traction. You could paint it yellow because it'd twist like a banana peel. Or nickname it Chubby Checker.

But, I have no brief against horsepower. If you're going to put a different engine in the 'vert, make it a 5.7 Hemi. It is 200lb lighter than an iron head 440, it doesn't make as much instantaneous torque, but it will get up and run with the best of them.

Your car will be much more valuable and driveable with a modern engine.

Speaking as a person with a garage full of obsolete speed equipment and engine parts, I advise you to go to the most modern performance engine out there. Don't get caught in the trap of yester-thinking.

R.