My 1st 440 build in almost 40 years

[blue69runner]

Had a problem trying to find the flat top piston's. With the set wrist pin. So got forged piston's with floating wrist pin's. We ended up putting a half dome piston in this 383 to give it more compression. Not my idea but my motor guy said I would be a lot more happy with the motor like this. 906 Head's have a lot of room in their to run the half dome piston's. So could put the hotter cam in. Just my Two cent's.

 

[Challenger340]

First and foremost this build is a street car that will never see the drag strip. Just a cruiser that sounds good and runs out good.

I get that.... and good luck in acquiring the parts neccessary to complete it as you see fit.

My only intent was:
1.) to offer some 'substitutions' if the original parts plan becomes unattainable
the XE268H may be a smaller Cam than the whiplash you were contemplating ? both in terms of Duration @ .050 and Lift ?
However, probably somewhat more street friendly for /break-in, and later idling time etc ?
given the XE268H does NOT call for 150# Seat/300+# over the nose V/Spring pressures like the whiplash ?
The Comp can run just fine at 110# seat/275-280# OTN which is also easier on your used stock stamped steel rockers if those are planned ?

2.) ensure that you were aware of the notoriously low Compression Pistons you are using, as many people are NOT at this stage of their builds and they regret it later no matter Cam used.

IMO, I also suspect your Fuel Economy would be substantially improved at 9.5:1 Vrs the at best 8.2:1 currently planned.

 

[Roger63]

I get that.... and good luck in acquiring the parts neccessary to complete it as you see fit.

My only intent was:
1.) to offer some 'substitutions' if the original parts plan becomes unattainable
the XE268H may be a smaller Cam than the whiplash you were contemplating ? both in terms of Duration @ .050 and Lift ?
However, probably somewhat more street friendly for /break-in, and later idling time etc ?
given the XE268H does NOT call for 150# Seat/300+# over the nose V/Spring pressures like the whiplash ?
The Comp can run just fine at 110# seat/275-280# OTN which is also easier on your used stock stamped steel rockers if those are planned ?

2.) ensure that you were aware of the notoriously low Compression Pistons you are using, as many people are NOT at this stage of their builds and they regret it later no matter Cam used.

IMO, I also suspect your Fuel Economy would be substantially improved at 9.5:1 Vrs the at best 8.2:1 currently planned.

Oh I appreciate the advice and I am currently seeking a little better piston.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

https://www.summitracing.com/search...ne-family/mopar-big-block-rb/bore-in/4-320-in
Kind of stunned on some of the new pricing....not long ago summits 2355s were priced lower, they ran out last year at summit and much higher now... there are better deals..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Speed-Pro-...941629?hash=item23ede324bd:g:ADMAAOSwhVxaEzgW

 

[blue69runner]

just to say you get what you pay for. Try to stay with brand names might be a little more money but have been tried and true. We only want to this once and when your building the engine that is the time to do it right.

 

[Challenger340]

Oh I appreciate the advice and I am currently seeking a little better piston.

Please let us know if you find anything in the way of a 'better' Piston out there cheaper than the L2355F OK ?
or
maybe try pricing the ICON IC9953 as they are way lighter but still use the stock 5/64" 5/64, 3/16 ringpack ?
Because we still Machine/Build/Dyno 440's for a living ? still lotsa resto stuff.... and we've been frustrated as hell for decades with the limited/garbage Piston availability for budget 440's ?
If you find anything let us know ?
Just say'in here....
we even called around a couple years ago inquiring what it would cost to get a run of a couple hundred sets(minimum run) of Cast genuine 2.035" CD "replacement" 1968 to 1970 Pistons MADE !
But the $30K + investment and then having to warehouse/stock hundreds of sets of STOCK Pistons for resto's.... so we could then build a bunch of barely 9.2:1 440's using a composition Head Gskt on iron heads only good for .500" lift cams with crappy quench just wasn't worth it for us as we're too small ?

 

[Roger63]

Absolutely I will be more than happy to share what I find. So far its been lots of short inventory, ships from manufacturers in 2-6 weeks or no longer available.

 

[JG71B]

I myself was going to use that Whiplash cam but, I went on YouTube and listened to a couple cars idle with it and I was not a fan of the dragster style Idol it had. Ymmv

 

[moparedtn]

I myself was going to use that Whiplash cam but, I went on YouTube and listened to a couple cars idle with it and I was not a fan of the dragster style Idol it had. Ymmv

I'm thinking the whole point of them making the Whiplash IS that "dragster style idle"....but that's just my theory.

 

[Challenger340]

The "Dragster style Idle" as you fella's are relating.... is no more than a product advancing the Intake centerline up around 103/4* and the tightened LSA overlap ?
Just shutting the Intake Valve earlier ABDC to trap some extra psi in the low-pop motors and lotsa overlap to tighten up the peaks.

Have some fun next time ur degree'ing one of them Comp similar sized wussie thingy's and install it up around 103/4* ....
fire it...
crack a beer...
and laugh ...

 

[moparedtn]

Meh, I enjoy a Mopar sounding like a Mopar - very unique to the discerning ear from any
other make.
To me, the old purpleshaft grinds just amplify that uniqueness - I know I enjoy listening
to Fred burbling down the road with his in the 440. Fred sounds like a big block Mopar.

 

[69 GTX]

I can second the XE268! I ran that with the 2335 piston with 86 cc 906s. Eddy performer, 750 vac secondary, headers. In my 69 auto RR with 3.91 gears it would light the N50's at a 20 mph roll! Smooth idle and tons of torque.

 

[Challenger340]

I can second the XE268! I ran that with the 2335 piston with 86 cc 906s. Eddy performer, 750 vac secondary, headers. In my 69 auto RR with 3.91 gears it would light the N50's at a 20 mph roll! Smooth idle and tons of torque.

Yes the XE268H can make some surprising power ?
We've done .030 over 440's @ 10:1 with STEALTH Heads(worked Seat Angles/Bowls) that kicked 470 HP and over 510 Ft/Lbs on the Engine Dyno..... very respectable for a Cast Crank Budget build !

 

[Riverdawg]

My brother and I are just getting going on a 440 build also. He says the same thing, hard to find some of the parts right now. Getting block done is a wait too.

 

[Roger63]

I finished assembling the heads today, got the crank installed in the block and checked clearance on all the main bearings which all checked between. 0018 and .0022.

 

[Roger63]

Its been a while since I updated this thread so here goes. I wound up using the original pistons and rods, and I had the heads measured for cc size and they came in at 79cc. So apparently they have been milled at some point. The pistons are .14 down from top deck. Near as I can figure that's right around 8.5 to1. Got it stuck in the car Sunday now I'm gonna start bolting stuff on.

 

[davek]

looking good

 

[Cojohnso1]

Oh I appreciate the advice and I am currently seeking a little better piston.

Since you are working with a cast crank. And new pistons are on the agenda? Is a stroker build out of the question? I believe it's no secret that a low compression 440 can be a bit "Boat anchorish" (for lack of better word) And some of that begins with what I believe is a design deficiency. That RB engines are a little understroked for their deck height?

If cams and valves are getting hard find? I'm guessing cranks certainly aren't going to be better. But then again, I haven't looked?

For what it's worth.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

If it doesn't have much ring taper such as a low mileage rebuild...it will still be some serious tiring turning fun at 8.5:1..thats better then 7.5:1 all day long. Still very capable and you saved a buck

 

[Roger63]

Since you are working with a cast crank. And new pistons are on the agenda? Is a stroker build out of the question? I believe it's no secret that a low compression 440 can be a bit "Boat anchorish" (for lack of better word) And some of that begins with what I believe is a design deficiency. That RB engines are a little understroked for their deck height?

If cams and valves are getting hard find? I'm guessing cranks certainly aren't going to be better. But then again, I haven't looked?

For what it's worth.

I agree with what is stated, but I said before this car will never see the track. I am cautiously optimistic on how this recipe will turn out. If I dont like it I will pull it and increase the compression. This is fun for me I haven't had the opportunity to do this at my leisure before.