Correct parts for rebuilding my 440?

[Inked_Ghandi]

So this would be my first ever engine rebuild and my first MOPAR and I decided to get onto the Jegs website and see what they would recommend for me. The following part numbers is what I was told. Please let me know if this is right...

Pistons: 844-L2266F    Piston Rings: 844-E-424K Cam: 638-60302 Carb: 350-1411
Intake: 350-2191        Oil Pump: 312-P4286590

Any help would be appreciated. I really want to get this car back on the road as soon as possible and I really don't want to do something wrong and have to buy something even more expensive.

[nvrbdn]

74 charger with a 440?

[Inked_Ghandi]

Yes. I can't believe I left out that information. Kind of the most important part or this thread would be useless.

[Challenger340]

What Heads are you using ? the '74 440 iron castings ?

[Inked_Ghandi]

I would believe so. To my understanding, everything is as it came from the factory. I have not been home since I bought the car so I couldn't give you specifics on much of anything.

[BSB67]

You are young and apparently inexperienced at this, and therefore, it is difficult to judge what, if any basic engine knowledge you have and how we might advise.  The more info on your goals, and budget would help.

If you are looking for a quality, high performance build, I have two strong suggestions: 1) Find and use a high quality machine shop/engine builder that does high performance/race Mopars, 2) Build a zero deck short block. If you don't know what #2 is, that confirms that you need #1.

If you want to slap it together and go, I think those parts you listed will work.

[Inked_Ghandi]

Yes I am young and inexperienced. But it doesn't help that I am currently deployed and it really limits the info I can get. And I am not going for a really high performance engine. Just higher than what it currently has.

[b5blue]

Start by reading books on rebuilding MOPAR B/RB engines. Until the engine is torn down and checked buy nothing. Save money, learn, examine what you have carefully then determine the exact parts needed. Two examples for you....piston oversize is determined by how much the bore of the cylinders are worn, Crankshaft bearings are determined by the cut needed to smooth out and true the journals. Get me?     

[BSB67]

Yes I am young and inexperienced. But it doesn't help that I am currently deployed and it really limits the info I can get. And I am not going for a really high performance engine. Just higher than what it currently has.

Thank you for your service.   

Where are you at and when will you get home?

Your budget will determine what you can do.  Generally speaking, you bore oversize and hone on rebuilding these old engines.  a 0.030 over 2355 piston (2.06"- ish compression height) would be better so you can achieve a zero deck.  However, there are newer and lighter pistons that will get you to a zero deck as well.


The reason I suggest that you do this now is that it is a good foundation if you want to amp it up in the future....you'll be able to keep the short block as is and add good heads and cam in the future.

[nvrbdn]

do you have access to literature? how long will you be there? while your there, we can put some mopar care packages together and give you the reading material you might need.

[Chryco Psycho]

The intake is worse than stock , I am sure you could find a used one for $50 if you really want it , I would also recommend virtually any other carb over the 1411 , again I am sure there are enough people getting rid of them you can get one cheap .

[Inked_Ghandi]

do you have access to literature? how long will you be there? while your there, we can put some mopar care packages together and give you the reading material you might need.

I will be here in this desert for a little while longer. Can't really say when I am getting back until I actually arrive back at my house. As for the literature, I would be happy to take that even when I get home. Yesterday after BSB67 told me to get some books on rebuilding mopar engines I did just that. So I'm hoping that when I finally do get home I will be armed with all the basic knowledge I will need to get this started. Only thing is is that my wife is getting out of the military so I think I will have to put this car project off for 2 years until I get out of the military and get a higher paying job. And Chryco Psycho thank you for the info on the intake and carb. Had I run across the money yesterday I would have spent it all only to find out that I could have got things a lot cheaper. Well thank you all for your help and any other advice will be highly appreciated. I just ask one thing... Have a beer for me!!!   

[b5blue]

Have a good day! 

[Inked_Ghandi]

Thanks. I always try to. And you have yourself a wonderful day also.

[nvrbdn]

do you have any mopar mags?

[Inked_Ghandi]

I do not. Not sure if I mentioned it but I bought the car like 2 weeks ago from ebay. So the car is sitting in my driveway at home waiting for me to get back home to play with it. The only things I have coming to me are the mopar big block rebuilding book and the high performance building book from amazon.

[b5blue]

Link or item number of what you bought?   

[Inked_Ghandi]

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Block-Mopar-Engines-How-Rebuild/dp/1557881901/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328451455&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Block-Mopar-Performance-Modifications/dp/1557883025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328451455&sr=8-1

[nvrbdn]

give me an addy and ill send ya some mags to keep the mind moving.

[Inked_Ghandi]

You got mail!

[nvrbdn]

got the addy. your package will go out monday. 

[Inked_Ghandi]

Thanks man. I appreciate it. I will let you know when it has been recieved.