440 or 426 HEMI project

[Durandal25]

FBBO team,

I really enjoy everything MOPAR and have spent the last several years updating and polishing my two Dodge's, but want to take on a project with my son on building an engine from the ground up. We really want a 440 HP or a 426 HEMI to start grabbing parts for so I'm looking for some direction on a find the right block. I'd like a 68-71 date stamped unit, so as to keep it in the same range as the two cars I have.

 

[Richard Cranium]

As you know, a 440 will dproduce plenty of power and will be a heck of a lot cheaper, but the Hemi has the WOW factor. If you're going for the Hemi, go for the gusto & stroke it.

 

[Durandal25]

As you know, a 440 will dproduce plenty of power and will be a heck of a lot cheaper, but the Hemi has the WOW factor. If you're going for the Hemi, go for the gusto & stroke it.

....I always wanted a HEMI, but in truth this will be my first motor. I really wanted to get the block and just start building on the parts.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

A hemi will cost about $4000 more than a wedge.If the budget allows,,,,,,,,,,,,GO HEMI!!!!

 

[snakeoil24]

The Hemi will cost more than 4k more. Try 6-7 K doing it right.

- - - Updated - - -

The Hemi will cost more than 4k more. Try 6-7 K doing it right. I would not start with a 50 year old block building a Hemi. Yoiu can get a new casting for 3k

 

[Endangered Species]

If you are going to start from scratch then a Hemi will only cost 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 thousand dollars more than a wedge. The biggest expense is in the rocker arms. You're going to be in the $2500.00 range for a good set of Stage 5 rollers.
Head are about the same if you're going aftermarket
Crank cost the same
Rods (go with a chevy rod) cost the same
valves, cam, rollers, bearings all cost the same.
The only other expense that will be a little more are the pistons, only because of the dome.

Here is the way I see it. Not only are you going to get more of a wow factor out of a Hemi you will get more return on your investment. Hemi cars will always bring more money than a wedge.

Go Hemi you won't regret it.
Snake Oil is right... don't use an old block unless you are trying to build a numbers match car. Buy a new block and be done with it.

The only advantage with a wedge is you can still buy an old 440 block pretty cheap, but either way you're going to have machine work to do.

 

[Ryguytoodry]

Or you could build a slant six and show the v8 guys what they are missing...

 

[Durandal25]

Team,

I'm going upload a set of pics I got from a fellow near Houston. He has pretty much a whole 68 R/T 440 engine for sale for about $800. I'll send over the part pics and you guys tell me if it's worth it. He sent over these pics of the part numbers.

 

[Durandal25]

...ok, so when I asked the guy to take a pic of the block VIN this is what he wrote me back:

The "f" you referred to is on the HEAD. NOT THE BLOCK.It is what I told you it was. I'm done taking pictures. I'll just keep it. Thanks.

 

[MoparBill]

Those heads aren't from a '68, more like '76-'78.

 

[Durandal25]

Those heads aren't from a '68, more like '76-'78.

I feel like mark, but I just want to get good block to start with