I have a 500" Hemi with Stage V conversion heads using a 440 block 0.030" over and a MP 4.15" 440 crank, Manley rods and Arias pistons. Although all parts were brand new, they were bought second hand from people selling on line that had bought them new and for whatever reason did not use them, except for the block, which I had machined and then assembled by PAW in LA.
These heads are a work of art especially the rockers and it is a shame to put rocker covers on and cover them up. The 440 block needs to be massaged slightly for push rod clearance, and oil return lined must be used to keep oil from pooling in the heads. This involved drilling the block on both sides and installing AN lines and fittings, it is not a big job.
The heads come with either stock or raised exhaust ports and I would recommend stock, as the raised ports can make header clearance a problem. ASK ME HOW I KNOW. I will trade anyone with stock ports for these brand new raised port heads and pay for the shipping both ways. My plans were to use this motor in a 68 Barracuda but headers issues have changed my mind.
Intake ports are GIANT and swamp the stock ports on the MP crossram. One head bolt does go thru the intake port but does not seem to change flow numbers significantly.
ARP main studs should be used and stepped up in size on the center mains at the minimum and a girdle should be used if going all-out for hi revs since the 440 block has 2 bolt mains vs 4 bolt for the Hemi. Pushrods will be a custom length and 440 head gaskets are used but trimmed for pushrod clearance.
It is hard to say if the Stage V conversion is the cheaper way to go if you are going to buy everything at once vs buying aftermarket Hemi parts. The 440 block work and mods will cost less than a new Hemi block, but everything else is close in price.
