440 block

I was wondering how good a 78 440 block would be for a stroker motor and how much these blocks can be bored over. I've read articles about there is no difference between earlier and later 440 blocks as far as cylinder wall thickness just some difference in the cast iron. I figured some of you guys had first hand experience with these.I'm looking to go up to 528 stroker haven't decided maybe 500 or 512 the car will be a street driver more than anything. Just cant let any Vettes out-run me, since I live in Bowling Green, KY home of the corvette plant.

If the cylinder walls sonic check O.K.,and it's not cracked anywhere,it ought to be as good as any other factory block.

Quote:

---

I was wondering how good a 78 440 block would be for a stroker motor and how much these blocks can be bored over. I've read articles about there is no difference between earlier and later 440 blocks as far as cylinder wall thickness just some difference in the cast iron. I figured some of you guys had first hand experience with these.I'm looking to go up to 528 stroker haven't decided maybe 500 or 512 the car will be a street driver more than anything. Just cant let any Vettes out-run me, since I live in Bowling Green, KY home of the corvette plant.

---

The stock bore on a 440 4.32. On a good block, you could go .060, which give you a bore of 4.38. With a 4.15 stroker crank, you would get 500". You could go 4.25 on the stroke, but you might need to go with chevy sized rod pins and connecting rod big end or go with external oiling.

Others can chime in as to whether a 4.5" stroke crank would fit, but with that big of a crank, I don't think the block would take it very long unless you have a girdle installed.

As for the 78 block, its hit and miss. Best thing to do is have it sonic tested to be sure. Thin cylinder walls and big power don't mix.