Bad start to weekend

[charger1972]

Was on the way home from work and BANG! Got her towed home and tore it down to find this.

[JB400]

Did it get the block as well, or is that just a reflection?


Sad to see it.   Cast pistons?

[charger1972]

Yeah, blocks OK. Crappy cell phone pic. Cast pistons, looks like the valve broke and drooped into the piston.

[JB400]

Well, that's a plus about the block.  Looks like very little ring ridge as well, so that a plus also.  Hope you're able to get it back on the road soon.  Of course, winter is just around the corner, so that'll give you plenty of time to fix it as well.

[charger1972]

Ha! That`s what my wife said. Wasn't ready to park her yet but, stuff happens i guess.

[charge69]

Sorry that happened! Looks like I would replace ALL the valves and, probably ALL the pistons this winter! A lot depends on how fresh the rebuild is that is there already, I guess but, this winter would be a good time for a good "cleaning up" of the motor and replacement of questionable parts.

Again,  sorry this happened.

[tan top]

 on crikey , sorry to see this  ,

[charger1972]

So , need opinions on next move. I have two 440 engines all ready out plus the one in the car. One of which is tore down. Had spun bearings and did a little damage to the crank looks like mainly the connecting rod journals . Thinking of trying to polish it out myself ,or maybe i should have a machine shop do it or cut it? Or i have the other one that just needs a re-ring job. Not sure what way to go.

[ws23rt]

IMHO the only thing you can do with your crank at home is try some 1500 grit "high quality" sand paper.  (the cheap stuff may have a few rocks in it)

What you would be looking for is removing smeared bearing material from the journals.  (It takes a long time)

If there are scratches you can feel in the journal (even the least bit with a pic) than a machine shop is where it needs to go.

For piece of mind and all the other things that should be checked on the crank it is best to just have it done.

[charger1972]

Yeah, should take to a machine shop to be sure. This is what i was talking about for home. http://www.goodson.com/240-Grit-Premium-Ruby-Crankshaft-Polishing-Belts/ But a machine shop is probably safer.

[Cooter]

Unless you have intimate knowledge of cranks and journals, I'd be zippin that crank down to machine shop.

[Chryco Psycho]

or install a 512" stroker kit

[GOTWING]

throw a junkyard 318 in it until it's fixed ! 

[charger1972]

I would love a stroker kit but my wife likes to keep the bills paid so that's not gonna happen.

[firefighter3931]

That sucks James....sorry to see that happen ! 

Time to build it better, stronger, faster 


Ron

[72Charger-SE]

I too am sorry for you however on the plus side it isn't the beginning of summer    AND... you already have other 'blocks' and hardware to 'barter' with.  You could take the two 'non-running' 440s & sell them on CL or some other site for $700+ each or so and then you can build the other motor this winter.  Just a thought.  Then if you wanted to add another $800 or so for the stroker you could swing it without breaking the bank.  Anyway, that is what I would do.  GOD Bless!   

[charger1972]

Never thought of selling the other ones for the greater good. Did think about selling my Sixpack setup sitting on the shelf though.

That sucks James....sorry to see that happen ! 

Time to build it better, stronger, faster 


Ron

Yeah Ron, my thoughts exactly.

[Chryco Psycho]

by the time you machine the parts & replace the pistons the cost will be about the same as a 512 kit with all new parts

[charger1972]

I`m liking the stroker idea more and more. Anyone use the big one from 440source? Don't see anything on here about the 542, is there a reason? Maybe the hassle of external oiling?

[2Luke2]

I`m liking the stroker idea more and more. Anyone use the big one from 440source? Don't see anything on here about the 542, is there a reason? Maybe the hassle of external oiling?

I think with their biggest stroker there are a lot more areas to be clearanced as well as if you aren't running some crazy heads you won't really see much over the other kits. Are you using stock iron heads or replacing them as well? The external oiling is obviously another additional cost.

[charger1972]

If I'm gonna do this and spend money i don't got, might as well go all out. Was looking at the Indy or Edelbrock  heads. Solid lifter cam and so on.

[tan top]

I`m liking the stroker idea more and more. Anyone use the big one from 440source? Don't see anything on here about the 542, is there a reason? Maybe the hassle of external oiling?

I`m liking the stroker idea more and more. Anyone use the big one from 440source? Don't see anything on here about the 542, is there a reason? Maybe the hassle of external oiling?

I think with their biggest stroker there are a lot more areas to be clearanced as well as if you aren't running some crazy heads you won't really see much over the other kits. Are you using stock iron heads or replacing them as well? The external oiling is obviously another additional cost.

 the  hassle of fitting external oiling  , well not hassle but , i would not want it on the street    , longer stroke crank  putting  more stress on the stock block with two bolt mains , need   aftermarket  block  or girdle  if you want to use the new found power   also im no expert  but  even  maxed out 906 heads would not  flow enough air 542,    , so plan on getting good pair of aftermarket heads  

[charger1972]

Yeah head upgrade iv wanted to do for awhile anyway. Depending where you read the info the 543 kit is OK for the street as far as block strength. What i read was in a race application you could be looking for trouble (engine failure). But that's why I'm asking , the 440source kits are all the same price so bigger is better right? Maybe the 512 is a better option, seems like less complications.

[firefighter3931]

Maybe the 512 is a better option, seems like less complications.

You answered your own question....the 4.25 stroke works very well and the 500in displacement will use all of the available cylinder head flow the Edelbrock RPM casting can throw at it. 

Internal oiling is a plus as well and less stress on the block with a better rod ratio. 

Bore the block as little as possible to maintain structural integrity....if it cleans up at .030 get the pistons to fit that bore (4.35) 



Ron

[charger1972]

OK, After a short trip to Syracuse ..... came back with this from Competition Wedge Engines. 512 stroker short block.

[JB400]

The cylinders look perty.  Hope it runs as good as it looks, with no problems

[72Charger-SE]

WOW!!  Nice!!  Congrats on the new engine!   That thing will ROCK

[firefighter3931]

Hey James, the new shortblock is just what the doctor ordered. 

Todd @ Compwedge does excellent work....you made a very good choice using him. I wouldn't hesitate one second to have him build something for me. Top Shelf shop and extremely knowledgable 

What's the plan for the top end & cam ?


Ron

[charger1972]

Yeah Ron, another reason this forum is so great. That`s how i found him. It`s got a comp custom grind nitrided solid cam in it now. Specs are .571/.585 258/264 @.050 . He says he uses it on allot of his 500 inch builds. Told him i wanted Indy heads, he suggested the ez heads and some port work. He also recommended the hughes rockers. And your right , really cool guy to talk to. And he has a drag strip nearby.

[firefighter3931]

That sounds like a nice cam. Should be very streetable and make excellent top end power 

Todd builds everything from mild to wild so you're in good hands. 

Fwiw, the pistons in my 572 were ordered through Comp Wedge Racing 


Ron

[charger1972]

So i went to buy the balancer  that was recommended by someone on here, and found it cheap on e-bay. Got a call they were out of stock and would it be ok to send a different one.  So i get the better one (sfi certified) for the same price. Score!

[Cooter]

Damn, nice engine. I know in my own 505 Dart with .562 lift 265 @.050 solid Comp cam it makes tremendous power from 3000-7200.

[charger1972]

Cant wait to get it all together. I have a pile of parts sitting here, ups and mail were here twice today dropping things off . Just waiting for the heads to be done at the machine shop.

[firefighter3931]

Good score on the Harmonic balancer James....it's allways a nice suprise when you get more than what you paid for. 

Usually, it's the other way around 



Ron

[charger1972]

So got my heads last night ........... still need one head gasket and the head bolts. And the intake he got is , well , not gonna fit as is . He doesn't seem to concerned but it is WAY off .

[charger1972]

Intake to wide ?

[charger1972]

Anyone here running the Hughes rocker arms ? Tried to mock them up and with the spacers they wont sit between the pedestals on the head . I got every thing lined up and in by removing the thin spacers and using the shims . Is that what you are supposed to do ? 

[ottawamerc]

Wow man I'm just thinking that now you must be pretty happy that the valve dropped on you last year, the new heart looks soo nice I'm jealous.
Congrats on a great build, you gotta post up a video once its running!

Scott

[charger1972]

Yeah , the valve breaking last year sucked. Seeing your car loaded on a trailer is never a good feeling . But the end result should be great . Just gotta get through some of the fitment problems , like the intake and the push rods i got are to short .... 

[firefighter3931]

James, what is the pn on that intake manifold ? Mopar makes several different manifolds for different cylinder heads and the Stage VI MP heads use a wider manifold. The one that fits your RB block with Indy EZ max wedge ports is the #337 (part number ends with 337) 

I would call Hughes and ask them about the fitment issues with your EZ heads.


Ron

[charger1972]

Hey Ron , Todd said to use the big spacers and the shims instead of the thin spacers . According to him , the most important thing is if no spacer to have at least a shim . So i did that and it fits  , just takes some patience to get the right amount of shims so the play is right . I`m gonna have to look for a part number on the intake .

[charger1972]

Intake part # 4532757 .So... a quick search and looks like its for stage 6 heads ?

[charger1972]

Big thanks to Ron for helping sort out my intake problem . Got cut to fit pus rods from the engine builder ,Indy ones . The cheap tool from Mancini doesn't work on them , to big around to fit in the tube . So took a couple tries but , welded one up . Not pretty, but works .

[charger1972]

Not sure my hood is gonna clear my air cleaner ....

[firefighter3931]

Looking Good Jim ! 

The MP aircleaner has an odd dimension (13in diamater ?) so the normal drop base won't fit. Some guys have been using a Ford Motorsports drop base that is the correct diameter to work with the MP style filter/lid. Might be something to check out if you want to keep that black crinkle top 



Otherwise you can just replace the whole deal with an aftermarket 14x3 assembly with a 1.25in drop base. 


Ron

[charger1972]

I`m crossing my fingers my bulge hood will have enough bulge to clear it . And i just fired it up , did the 20 minute break in . 20 minutes at 2000 rpm = 5 gallons of gas .  But that's to be expected . 

[charger1972]

So , just got back from another test drive ...... WOW ! Thanks Ron , he suggested a hotter plug among other things . Was having a hard time cranking , battery in the trunk . Somehow broke the snout off the starter so when i replaced it last night , Ron recommended running a ground from batt to engine instead of the frame . What a difference ! Cranks over way faster ! Not quite perfect yet , but way better than it was . Thanks again Ron and everyone on this site for the help .   

[Mopar Nut]

Nice!

[charger1972]

So , I didn't want to start a new thread but .... Was thinking of selling my sixpack set up . Iron intake, but choke butterfly removed . Stock oval air cleaner with 3 inch k&n air filter . 3/8 fuel lines that I made , but inlet on wrong end because had an electric fuel pump and fuel feed was at the firewall . Rear carb has pro max base for easier air fuel adjustments . One other thing is no throttle cable bracket . Any way , was thinking listing it for 1500 ? That sound fair ? Thanks for any input .

[myk]

Why are you selling the 6 pak?

[charger1972]

Was keeping it but it just sits on the shelf . Still need to build a rear and upgrade the rear suspension so ......

[myk]

Oh I see you're not running it now...

[charger1972]

No , even if I wanted to the new heads on my car are max wedge ports so wont work anyway . The sixpack was cool when it worked right , but performance was a little touchy . Might have been the fuel pump , not enough fuel . It ran great but when i got on it , would lean out and break up on the higher rpms .