realistic or the ravings of a mad man?

[American Muscle]

I have a mechanic that I use for my car restorations. The guy is very good and I have known him for years. Sometimes he might be a little pricey but the way I see it, I'd rather pay more to have it done absolutely right than pay less and have to worry about it later.

Anyway, the guy has built me a 360 with a six-pack set up for my '68 Charger and he also rebuilt a Chevy 350 for one of my buddy's 1978 'Vette. So I'm currently trying to build up a 1970 Barracuda and I have a 440 ready for him to rebuild. About a few weeks ago I bought a set of Hemi heads. The intention was to buy them and maybe sell them if anybody needs them BUT just today my mechanic was saying, why not take the Hemi heads and put them onto the 440 block? I asked him multiple times if it was possible and he insists it is.

So my question to you guys is this: Is it possible to put Hemi heads onto a 440 block and have it run? When I first heard it I thought the guy was wrong but I want to hear it from you guys.

Thanks

[FLG]

Its going to take modification to the block, pushrod clearence issues, oil drain back issues, possible water passage issues.

It can be done, the question is why do it?

Id imagine the work required would run into the several thousands, that work can easily build a mean 440.

Some things can be done, but sometimes they simply shouldn't.

I've never checked but do they make straight bolt on hemi heads for 440s?

[American Muscle]

Thanks for the reply. I have never checked whether or not they made bolt on hemi heads for 440's. Like I said, the only reason I even bought these heads was because I figured I can eventually sell them to someone that really needs it. Plus it's also nice to say I own a hemi even though it's not completely true. Besides, I've always looked at the hemi as a rich man's engine. For an every day guy like me, the 440 is where it's at.

I appreciate your answer but I would still love to get as many opinions on this as possible.

Thanks

[tan top]

i forget now but think they are special heads for this conversion & not  stock hemi heads    
for the cost involved & all the messing about what (FLG ) said  having external oil drain back lines grinding on the block !!  custom pistons  , plus still only 2 bolt mains , better off  getting a Hemi block to start with  ,  also going to be  creative on  number one header primary tube  to route round the engine mount  , has to be run in-front of the K frame on a B-Body  or rather through the C shaped at the side

[Troy]

There used to be an outfit (Stage V) that made Hemi heads to bolt on to a 440 block. They were not cheap - and certainly not stock Hemi heads. As is, the factory heads will NOT bolt on. You could easily buy a new Hemi block though. The important thing is whether your heads have the rocker assemblies or not since that can easily add $1,500-2,200 to the install (and then you still need an intake and valve covers).

Troy

[Cooter]

You got a guy that you clearly trust, working on your engines that thinks a set of 426 Hemi heads will just bolt right on a 440 block and run???
Must be a Chevy freak....I bet he knows that 454 heads don't bolt on a 350 SB.....

I think I'd be looking for a new guy....

[68X426]

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,75712.0.html

Chevy guys want a Hemi really bad.

[Challenger340]

yeppers, the Guys a nutbar !

Stock HEMI Heads, are far too much work converting, to "fit" on a Wedge 440 Block.

As Stated,
StageV Engineering made an actual "Conversion" Head, in a Kit, that DID work on the Wedge Blocks, albeit with Grinding for pushrod clearance, and external Oil return.

Here are the StageV Engineering "Conversion" Heads(Customer Supplied), on a Wedge Block, that we used when Building this 540 incher last year. They made decent power for Standard Valve Angle Heads.