How much to save for an engine rebuild?

[Afflyer]

My 440 has never been rebuilt since it rolled off the line back in '68. 
It doesn't burn an excessive amount of oil, just a tiny amount that I wipe off the reverse lights on the rear valance every so often.
My only concern is that with every oil change, the dirty oil looks slightly grayish in color (though not milky like you'd have with a mix of coolant in it).
I had it analyzed and the report came back saying the old engine is "tired".

So, my question is this;  I want to keep the engine as stock as I can, i.e.; mild "purple" cam, cylinder shafts honed good and clean hopefully without boring out too much where I would need larger pistons.  I just want to keep her as stock as I can to make her like new and the price under control.

Which leads me to my last question- how much should I save up for such an endeavor, considering the parts I'll need, and someone who specializes in MoPar big blocks to renew my 440?  Hell, I'd be willing to pull the engine myself to save some money.

Any of you guys who have recently had their 440's rebuilt, please chime in on this.

Thanks in advance,

Bradley

[bull]

Probably about $3k to $4k. I was told by a local shop it would cost $2,600 to rebuild my 383 to factory specs.

[71440charger]

i am re doing mine for 2k myself after machine work and everything

[Afflyer]

Jeez...well at $3000, it will take me 5 years to save up that kind of cash for what I'm "allowed" to place each month into my "Charger" savings account- so says my better half. 

This is gonna take more time than I thought. 

- Bradley

[Charger72SE]

yep, mine was $3K - $1K for the machine shop and $2K for parts.  I pulled the engine and replaced it with friends.

it does run great, though!!

good luck

[Telvis]

You can do it yourself fairly reasonably. Once you start upgrading parts the price goes up. I have built two engines myself. It's not that hard to do. Make sure you double check the machine shops work. It's a great way to save a lot of cash.

[Silver R/T]

wow outrageous prices.. around here you can have 440 race built  ~5k

[derailed]

You can do it yourself fairly reasonably. Once you start upgrading parts the price goes up. I have built two engines myself. It's not that hard to do. Make sure you double check the machine shops work. It's a great way to save a lot of cash.

   Take your time and ask alot of questions and you can do it yourself and save a few dollars. I built 3 pontiac motors so far and enjoy doing them and Im saving up to build my 440 this winter in the charger. I had the machine shop hot tank the block, deglaze cylinders and install cam bearings plus do the head work and did the rest myself. You may have to purchase a few tools to do it but youll have them for future use. Good set of micrometers, piston ring tools, ridgereamer etc.

[Chryco Psycho]

how long is a piece of string
depends what parts & Quality you use to build it

[Afflyer]

Well, after some thought- would it be better and/or cheaper, if I began buying new engine parts, bit by bit, and over time have a few thousand dollars to be able to spend on the machine work? 

Say, start out by buying a new cam, pushrods, valves, springs, etc., all the while- continuing to save for the machine work?

I figure once I (or someone I hire), begin taking the engine out and apart- any parts that don't need replacing (if any), I can just take those new parts back to save money.  But hey- who am I kidding...this 440 has never ever been rebuilt! 

So in regards to replacing worn out engine parts- what should I start out with on my "shopping list"?  Again- like I initially asked- would it be advantageous to do this?

-Bradley 

[greenpigs]

Thats a good idea since you know what you want out of the rebuild. I would not buy pistons or bearings  until after you pull the motor apart.

Now I am by no means an expert and barely qualify as compent on these things but I would steer clear of the "purple shaft" cams, old technology... go for a modern grind.

Psycho or firefighter should be able to help on the cam choice.

I would buy the following items in order

1) Complete ARP fastner set(head bolts, connecting rod bolts etc.)
2) Good quality oil pump some run regular pumps as it frees up a few hp
3) High quality complete gasket set
4) Double roller timing chain-some are 3 bolt some are one bolt , figure out your cam choice first
5) New bushing for distribuator that sits in the block
6) MP electronic distribuator-unless you want stock then rebuilt original
7) You should have a windage tray and crank slinger ..if not get them
Pushrods and rocker arms..not sure what is best but they are old so I would replace them anyways.

Any other choices gang or recomendations?

[PocketThunder]

I just got my 440 back last week or so and here is what the breakdown is on my invoice.  .030 over bore.

Labor   Mill Heads                   60
   Valve Job                 155
   Install Harden Seats   44
   Install Guides   88
   Deck Block                   90
   Tear Down   
   Thermo Clean and Mag   
   Bore and Hone          144
   Grind Crankshaft   95
   Recondition Rods   96
   Balance                 220
   Assemble                 130
Parts   Engine Kit:                 629
   -Hyperutectic Pistons   
   -Rod Bearings   
   -Main Bearings   
   -Cam Bearings   
   -Timing Set   
   -Freeze Plugs   
   -Full Gasket Kit   
   -Oil Pump   
   Comp Cam                 125
   Lifters                   88
   Windage Tray   34
   Exhaust Valves   48
   Shop Supplies   10
   TOTAL               $2,056

[PocketThunder]

Here is my thread:  http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10166.msg146964.html#msg146964

I had them build the short block, and i took it from there as you can see in the pics..

[Afflyer]

Pocket and Pigs-

Thanks guys for your insight.  I've never rebuilt an engine (or had one rebuilt for that matter), so this is making me kind of nervous and excited at the same time.  Granted, this won't begin for quite a while, but I think buying the parts I'll need- bit by bit is better than all at once.

I've never had the 440 compression tested, dynoed or anything for that matter, so I really don't have a starting point other than what Dodge says it should have from the shop manuals. 

I love how the engine "sounds" right now, be it during idle or when I'm running down the freeway at 2500 RPM.  I want to keep that sound which is why I want more of a stock cam and not something beefed up.  I know the stock horsepower from a BB440 is around 375 or greater.  I've heard that my power steering pump (the only option my Charger has) takes away 15 ponies right off the bat. 

What I want is to raise what ever compression I have, just a wee-bit.  I still want to run on premium gas, as I figure it's better than regular in most respects for this kind of engine.  I also want to increase my horsepower- though not to such an exteme that the parts I'll need to begin purchasing will be far from stock- know what I mean?

Any thoughts on the kind of parts I should begin purchasing for the power I desire?  Again, nothing off the charts in compression and horsepower- just bump it up a few notches towards the higher side.

-Bradley