440 engine build question

[mopar367]

hi im new here, not sure if this is the right place for my question. i have a 1968 440 that im going to rebuild. it is .30 over with flat top silvolite pistons. factory forged steel crank. im going to use a mopar purple cam with .455 lift. and stock 436 iron heads. it will be going in my truck which is a 1987 ram d100. i need to know what a good choice on connecting rods would be? recondition factory ly rods? 440 6 pack rods, i have heard there are problems with their weight. or should i go with some budget h beams that take a press fit piston pin? cost is kinda an issue, but not too much.

 

[Meep-Meep]

The stock rods will be just fine after they are resized with new bolts. What are the 436 heads? Motorhome? I don't recall ever seeing that number. I'm running the .455" cam myself and like it alot.

 

[mopar367]

thanks for the reply. actually the heads are 3462346 . i mixed up the numbers. they are off of a 71 440 and 383. have you heard anything about the factory replacement i beam rods from 440 source.com they are like 269 new? im just worried about life cycles in used rods?

 

[moparpoor]

The cost to rework factory rods are about the same as a cheap set of rods.Buy a set of scat or call muscle motors for their in house brand or source.

 

[ykf7b0]

Those factory reconditioned ly rods will do just fine. Judging by your cam selection your not building a high rpm screamer. I'm using those same rods in my 600 hp setup.

 

[mopar367]

what the budget 440 source rods? Im kinda leaning in that direction. just not too sure if they're too heavy though. by the time i recondition factory rods. cost will be what these new ones are.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Once you decide which rods to use,I recommend having a reputable machine shop double check the pin fit and balance your assembly:blob1:

 

[ykf7b0]

???? What am I missing here with the rods ???? It's a relatively mild build. As HEMI-ITIS has stated; It would be a great idea to have the pins double checked and the entire rotating assembly balanced if you can let go of the coin.

 

[ykf7b0]

what the budget 440 source rods? Im kinda leaning in that direction. just not too sure if they're too heavy though. by the time i recondition factory rods. cost will be what these new ones are.

I don't remember spending a bundle of money getting my rods refurbished. Either your machine shop is really expensive or aftermarket rods are dirt cheap.

 

[mopar367]

if i use stock rods reconditioned, and my pistons are stock replacements. and a stock forged steel crank turned .10 rods and mains. should i balance the rotating assembly or will it be good?

 

[Meep-Meep]

If you have a set of rods out of one engine then you should be OK. Replacement cast pistons are weight matched and if everything else goes back the way it came apart should be no issues. I personally like to have everything I build precision balanced because it does make a difference in the long run.

 

[mopar367]

ya true, i would really like this engine to be like my 360. lots of power and last years. i will talk with my machinist too and see about cost. thanks for the suggestions guys. if its cheaper to recondition factory rods than house brand 440 source. thats the way im gonna go.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

It you go with the scorce rods,you need to check them anyways:icon_rolleyes:The recon route could also include bushed small ends and also check or replace unknown wrist pins.