440 Short Block Starting from Scratch

[cudaken]

 
I have yet to get the 440 so I will assume a few things. I know it has 440-6 pack pistons and rods, block is a 72 std bore so it maybe cast or forged. It has been internally balanced so converter should not be a problem. (It will be checked first) Lets say it is a 9.5 to one compression motor.

What I plain to use over.
1 Hooker Super Comp headers
2 71 383/440 stock heads that are used, never CC. They ran fine when last time I used them.
3 Low mileage MP rocker arms and shaft.
4 Cast iron 440 intake, I will check the part number later
5 Used Double Roller 1 bolt timing chain, will check for slop before I remove it.
6 750 Holley   
7 Carter Mechanical fuel pump

Car is my 68 Road Runner, 3:23 sure grip gears and 727 with a stock RR converter which I believe has a 2200 stall.

Goals very modest, say 14.5.

Budget well not counting any need machining say for parts $750.00. I will have it checked out when  get it at a machine shop close by. I have hopes the engine will just need some refreshing and not new pistons.

Cuda Ken, full of questions again!

[firefighter3931]

Sounds like a reasonable plan to me Ken 

Maybe slap some fresh rings and bearings in it with a quick cylinder hone and crank polish and call it good as long as the bores measure OK 


Ron

[Scaregrabber]

Good luck and I think your plan is solid. Lots of people throw way too much $$$ at engines that don't need it. 14.5 should be surpassed quite easily with what you have. Those pistons are heavy but I have always made good power with them.

Sheldon

[cudaken]

 Sheldon and Ron, thanks for the answers but I was looking for a little more advices. But I was somewhat unclear as well.

1. Push rods, well till I know the deck height that is a open end question. Set of 440 push rods I do have where custom cut for the ill fated Blower Motor that was .30 below deck height. I am hoping this one has a true zero deck height. Will the machine shop be able to tell by just by piston height?

2. Cam, I know a stock HP cam would be fine, but I like something just a little more lumpy.  What can I say? What would you folks think on the 284/284/484/484 MP cam I have now? If it is just a plain bad idea, feel free to say so.

3. Intake, while I have the stock cast iron intake to get started, I would like to up grade later. I had a Eddy DB 2 on the 70 Cuda with a stock cam and 750 Holley and it ran great. What is the number for a Eddy 440 number or something that will work as well or better? Remember I would still like to use the old Hemi Cam I have, unless you tell me to throw it way.

4. Distributor, I never went electronic and the Runner still has points. I am running a old Accel Dual Point Mechanical advances unit. If I cannot find a longer shaft for it I guess I need to bite the bullet.  I would like something that would work with my MSD 5-AL.

5. If I have to ring the motor and add new bearings, any ideas?

While a 14.5 will but a grin on my faces I don't want to waste money when later when I want to have a  on it.

Cuda Ken

[tan top]

 im no expert , but think with the 323 gearing  , i would try  this cam  

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-cl21-223-4/overview/make/dodge