Got my 440....check it out.

[super_dave]

So went for a three hour drive yesterday and picked up the slug 440, pretty good starting point I figure since I had nothing to start with other than a block.  This unit is pretty complete, what do you think?

[super_dave]

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[super_dave]

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[super_dave]

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[super_dave]

Whoa...those are big pictures....sorry, should have resized them!  OK, resized!!

[ChgrSteve67]

You don't want that old boat anchor.

I better stop by and take it off your hands.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Looks to me like it came out of an Imperial

[tan top]

  looks like it has 452 heads    , oh no maybe not  , thought that was a cast I on the ends of the heads

[AKcharger]

That's the best 440...EVER!

[super_dave]

Thanks guys....now I want to clean this thing up, but no real experience, so gonna have a bunch of questions.  I pulled the intake and one head off last night to check it out.  Gonna post some pics, does everything look alright?

There was quite abit of carbon debris sitting on top of pistons, some loose pieces.  Normal?

That rusty tin thing under the intake...is that the gasket?  Had some blue gasket sealer under the ends too...is that normal.  Does it need to be replaced.

Do I need to replace the head gaskets once I seperate them?  What / where are the torque specs for reassembly?

I want to repaint this whole engine, do I just wire brush off the loose paint, clean up and respray.  Can I just use spray bombs...high heat enamel?

I know lots of questions...but this is my first kick at the can..

[super_dave]

Few more pics

[super_dave]

Does that look like stock build?  So do I need to pull the other head off or does it look like it should?  If so, do I just buy new intake and head gaskets, bolt it back together, paint it and "tada" I'm done??
What are your thoughts please....appreciatte it

[BigBlockSam]

 

[nvrbdn]

did you check compression before the tear down? how deep is the lip at the top of the cylinder? if the engine had good fairly even compression across the board, then get new head gaskets and vally pan gasket, basically a rebuild gasket set is what you need. i dont have all the torque spec's here but can post them tonight. now is a good time if you want to upgrade the cam and lifters since i will be advising you to change the timing chain. clean the carbon off the valves and piston heads. examine all the cylinder walls. the carbon build up will cause pre-detionation.

[super_dave]

did you check compression before the tear down? how deep is the lip at the top of the cylinder? if the engine had good fairly even compression across the board, then get new head gaskets and vally pan gasket, basically a rebuild gasket set is what you need. i dont have all the torque spec's here but can post them tonight. now is a good time if you want to upgrade the cam and lifters since i will be advising you to change the timing chain. clean the carbon off the valves and piston heads. examine all the cylinder walls. the carbon build up will cause pre-detionation.

Umm, no did not check compression...crap!
The lip at top of cylinder is max 1/4"...I found the torque specs online...and ordered new head gaskets and intake manifold gasket..

I cleaned the top of one piston with a wire brush attachment on a drill, with light pressure.  Can I use same approach on the valves...I only have removed the one head so far...can I check compression on that side yet?  Is there a compression test tool that you just screw into the spark plug hole?  Crap, I wish I thought of that before tearing it down...

Experience is the WORST teacher....it always gives you the test BEFORE the lesson!

[super_dave]

While I'm at it, should I just tear this whole thing down, never done anything like an engine before, but have good mechanical skills.  Should I pull the water pump, starter, distributer and everything.  This engine is new to me, so I don't know whats going on in terms of reliability, history etc..

[nvrbdn]

ok first when i talked about the lip in the cylinder i was talking about how much wear inside the cylinder wall. if you have the piston down and rub your finger from bottom of cyl wall toward the top you will feel the lip at the top. you can still check compression on the other bank. yes there is a screw in compression gauge. yes, take off the water pump and timing cover. watch for bolts comming from the pan holding the timing cover on. you will most likely find that the timing chain has a lot of play or slop in it. any time you have any tear down, change the chain and gears. they arent that expensive and will save you later. get a good double roller chain. if you just order a complete gasket set usually less than 60.00 plus shipping, it will have all the gaskets you need. also since you are tore down, get the other head off. those gaskwets are old. even if they dont leak yet, they are bad.as you said with the other rusty one. i wouldnt use anything too course for that carbon cleanup!!! we dont want to chew up the cylinder walls with a wire brush. i would try to clean up with solvents.

[nvrbdn]

actually with the piston top dead i guess you wont be seeing any cylinder walls so it shouldnt hurt to get the crust off that wont budge by using the wire brush as long as its soft wire.

[FLG]

Get this book

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/188-0380900-3538921?a=1557881901

And you'll be good to go.

Are you looking to rebuild this one or build something a little better?

If you look at my thread I tried to keep things inexpensive for my 446 build, worked out pretty well.

[grdprx]

Get this book

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/188-0380900-3538921?a=1557881901

And you'll be good to go.

Are you looking to rebuild this one or build something a little better?

If you look at my thread I tried to keep things inexpensive for my 446 build, worked out pretty well.

Love that book!  That's how I built my engine, and I'd never done anything like it before either.   

[FLG]

Yep, Ron told me to get it so I did..it came in the mail a few days ago...great info.

[super_dave]

Ok, sounds like the advice is tear it down and clean up....will keep you posted...gonna need helpful advice, thanks guys!

[nvrbdn]

looks like you have a decent starting point. enjoy the tear down and cleanup. its a great learning experience and will give you alot of knowledge about how it all works.good luck dave. gona be a sweet car.

[firefighter3931]

That's a nice start....forged crank and all. 

Can you see any cross hatch on the cylinder walls ?


Ron

[super_dave]

Get this book

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/188-0380900-3538921?a=1557881901

And you'll be good to go.

Are you looking to rebuild this one or build something a little better?

If you look at my thread I tried to keep things inexpensive for my 446 build, worked out pretty well.

Ah, the book...good advice.  Thanks!