426 Wedge Education

[wsutard]

I have an opportunity to trade for a fresh built 426 Wedge (not MAX). I am trying to do some research but most things talk about the Max Wedge and not the Wedge.

At this moment all I know is that it is not a Max and it is a fresh build. I will update as I get more info.

What are the pros and cons?

This would be going into a 69 Coronet replacing a 340. My original intention was to find a 440 but only because that seems like the thing to do. (read: for no good reason other than POWER)

My car will live its time 99% on the street.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I built a 440 as a Max wedge (With the help of Mr. Dale Reed)
Heads, higher compression
Cam
Usually the manifold is a cross ram
Dual Carters
Nast race engine..(Nasty meaning Bad ***)
The 426 Chrysler Wedge was (is) a formidable street brawler

 

[lewtot184]

the 426 street wedge (1964-1965) has the same heads, cam, and carb that a 383 or 413 would've had. power wise there were over rated; typical of all the wedges. they are good reliable engines; low rpm in stock form. the only problem i can see with one is trying to get a stock 10.3:1 compression engine to run on pump gas. there are no aftermarket shelf pistons that can make using pump gas easier.

 

[streetwedg]

I've been running my street wedge on pump gas for oboist 8 years now. Stock rebuild with hardened valve seats added

 

[wsutard]

Here are the pics of the wedge.

Has anyone run both a 426 street wedge and a 440? Would love a comparison statement.

 

[66Satellite47]

A 426 wedge motor is great. Pocket port the heads & you are good to go. A 440 will make a few more HP, but not worth worrying about.

 

[wsutard]

What kind of aftermarket exists for a 426 wedge? If I wanted to squeeze more HP out of it where would I go?

 

[19polara64]

Do the same as you would for a 440. Cam, headers, intake, heads, etc. The only difference is piston diameter.

 

[wsutard]

Do the same as you would for a 440. Cam, headers, intake, heads, etc. The only difference is piston diameter.

Now that I look harder I see options for 426 parts on places like Summit and Jegs.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Unless you know what combonation to use,I would consult and buy a head package from someone like Dwayne Porter.You want someone like dwayne that sells cams,does the valve job after he ports your heads if that the road you want to travel.

A bad combo costs MORE than a good combo.

 

[Lionized]

A bad combo costs MORE than a good combo.

No truer words have been spoken.
This should be a bumper sticker.

 

[Lionized]

...also, "Wedgucation".

 

[wsutard]

Haha. Nice.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

What kind of aftermarket exists for a 426 wedge? If I wanted to squeeze more HP out of it where would I go?

Dependng on how much power your looking for that block,you can go max to a 440 piston.If you had a choise the 440 block van make a few more HP.

 

[66Satellite47]

FYI, 426 wedge is the same as a 440 so any & all parts are the same. A 426 wedge is the same as a 440 only a smaller bore.

 

[IQ52]

What does this "fresh built 426 Wedge" include for parts and what are the intake and block casting numbers?

 

[lewtot184]

looks like a weiand intake and '915 or '906 heads.

 

[IQ52]

What a clown I am this morning. I blew right on by the pictures. I needed a dose of humility. Thanks!

Doesn't look like a stock rebuild and doesn't look fresh. If I'm already thinking about bumping the power up, I'm going to look for a nice 440 to start with!

 

[streetwedg]

I'm not an expert, but with later model open chamber heads, won't that lower compression? And make it easer to run on pump gas?

 

[lewtot184]

I'm not an expert, but with later model open chamber heads, won't that lower compression? And make it easer to run on pump gas?

open chambers with a .040" head gasket will get the compression down around 9:1. quench will be about .205" with un-milled parts.