Which 440 block for build?

[justavillain]

I’ve found here in west mi complete cores are about 500 for both 383 and 440s shorts and blocks can be found for 300ish

Also for the above list you can use a set of 516 906 or 452 heads and have them worked with new seats and cleaned up for about 600 saving a lot of money. Can be found for as little as 50$Ea to 1000 a pair. The 452s already have hardened seats too for a budget option prior to the big cost of heads

 

[69roadr]

I have just under 500 horsepower on my 383 for a cost of $7,000 and most of that cost was in the cam and heads

 

[dvw]

A sleeved block will cost more in machine work that doing a normal build block. The cheapest route? Find a decent running 383 core motor, a set of decent used Eddy aluminum heads , performer RPM intake with the correct cam. The 3.23 with a 383 would be a little lame at low rpm. Stroker would be nice but way beyond a $4 K budget. A good running 440 core would do, it with the above mentioned parts. If it ran well and didn't need an overhaul.
Doug

 

[black64]

I bought a 67 440 for 700 dollars carb to pan and rebuilt it for 4200 dollars. Stock heads and intake. Too much to list on parts but completely gone through and all new parts. The machine work included boring 30 over, valve guides, block decking, crank grind 10 under, trueing up the heads etc. I built it for a project but sold the car. If your interested in it let me know I can send you more info on it.

 

[FrnkNsteen]

I would like to start with a block and go from there. I like to drive and want to keep it a driver but I also don’t want to get smoked by everything on the road either if that makes sense.

I am also in Indiana and have some other options for you if you are interested.

I recently rebuilt a 440 for my Charger. The guy who did the machine work for me is getting older and he wanted to clear some things out of his shop. He gave me a 440 block freshly bored to +.025", that just needs the final honing to be at .030" over. I have it in my shop, but haven't looked at the casting numbers to confirm what year it was. I'd be more than happy to "Pay-it-forward" and regift it to you if you are interested.

He also gave me a complete long-block 383 with 906 heads. He said it was locked up, but I haven't pulled it apart to see if it is a spun bearing, or what is wrong. I would be willing to regift that one as well. Haven't looked at the casting numbers yet to see the dates on it either.

I also have a complete 383 2bbl motor that I picked up a few years ago for $400. I bought it in case the 440 I had for my Charger was beyond rebuilding, as the 383 2bbl would have been what my '69 Charger SE originally came with. I don't need it and would let it go for the $400 I paid for it. It has been stored inside under my work bench since I got it, and it was stored in a friends shop while he had it. It ran good when it was pulled by my friend.

Also have a '77 400 block my machinist gave me that I was thinking of turning down my old 440 crank and building a 451 stroker for my Barracuda, as well as another '77 complete 400 with Edelbrock Performer intake that I bought for $450 from a friend that had it in his '71 Charger for a while. I'd let one or the other go for what I have into them (complete motor $450, 400 block free).

I live in Spencer Indiana, so it wouldn't be too long of a drive if you were interested. As I said,.. I was given some of this stuff, and got reasonable deals on the others. Not looking to make money off them if they go to a good home.

 

[dvw]

Just saw good buy on Moparts race parts for sale section, page 6. 10 second motor, $3900.

 

[happyjackdaddy54]

In my opinion for what you’re doing block doesn’t matter, I don’t think you can use anything from your 383 I may be wrong though. Where at in Indiana are you? I have a block you can have I know it needs sleeves but for free it might save you some money I don’t think sleeving the cylinders is too expensive.

a new block will be cheaper!

 

[Bcamp69]

I am also in Indiana and have some other options for you if you are interested.

I recently rebuilt a 440 for my Charger. The guy who did the machine work for me is getting older and he wanted to clear some things out of his shop. He gave me a 440 block freshly bored to +.025", that just needs the final honing to be at .030" over. I have it in my shop, but haven't looked at the casting numbers to confirm what year it was. I'd be more than happy to "Pay-it-forward" and regift it to you if you are interested.

He also gave me a complete long-block 383 with 906 heads. He said it was locked up, but I haven't pulled it apart to see if it is a spun bearing, or what is wrong. I would be willing to regift that one as well. Haven't looked at the casting numbers yet to see the dates on it either.

I also have a complete 383 2bbl motor that I picked up a few years ago for $400. I bought it in case the 440 I had for my Charger was beyond rebuilding, as the 383 2bbl would have been what my '69 Charger SE originally came with. I don't need it and would let it go for the $400 I paid for it. It has been stored inside under my work bench since I got it, and it was stored in a friends shop while he had it. It ran good when it was pulled by my friend.

Also have a '77 400 block my machinist gave me that I was thinking of turning down my old 440 crank and building a 451 stroker for my Barracuda, as well as another '77 complete 400 with Edelbrock Performer intake that I bought for $450 from a friend that had it in his '71 Charger for a while. I'd let one or the other go for what I have into them (complete motor $450, 400 block free).

I live in Spencer Indiana, so it wouldn't be too long of a drive if you were interested. As I said,.. I was given some of this stuff, and got reasonable deals on the others. Not looking to make money off them if they go to a good home.

The 440 block would be awesome. Maybe it’s time to just build a stroker. Although I wouldn’t feel right taking it for free. I’ll be heading to Nashville tomorrow and returning on Sunday.

 

[BSB67]

Like others have said, if you can find a decent 440 short block with the the right pistons, and put a decent cam and top end on it, that might be you lowest cost option.

Has anyone done this kit with Stealth or Sidewinder heads lately? If you can find a used 440 long block from oil pan to carb, this is probably you're lowest cost with a lot of new parts. Could be a very nice street deal on a budget.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fem-csmhp817-400/overview/make/dodge