Picked up a low mile 440 today.

[BeepBeepRR]

Just did some measurements. I know the method is crude but I do not have a dial caliper or a bridge. So using a straight edge and a feeler gauge the piston is in the hole at .005 Which if by that measurement i go with .020 head gaskets im in the 10.03:1 compression ratio. Not where I want the engine to be. So I will stick with the .039 gaskets. And since he surfaced the heads the chamber volume may be less than the known 90 to 92cc range. I guessed at 88 when calculating. Need the heads here so I can figure it out.

 

[MrJLR]

Just did some measurements. I know the method is crude but I do not have a dial caliper or a bridge. So using a straight edge and a feeler gauge the piston is in the hole at .005 Which if by that measurement i go with .020 head gaskets im in the 10.03:1 compression ratio. Not where I want the engine to be. So I will stick with the .039 gaskets. And since he surfaced the heads the chamber volume may be less than the known 90 to 92cc range. I guessed at 88 when calculating. Need the heads here so I can figure it out.

You could still run that on pump gas.....

Jeff

 

[BeepBeepRR]

You could still run that on pump gas.....

Jeff

We have a Sonoco down the street that sells high octane stuff. But all this depends on how the chambers work out CC wise. Machine guy told me that the .020 steel shim gaskets may blow pretty quick with that high of compression. Or maybe I heard him wrong.. LOL could be either way.

 

[Paul_G]

10 to 1 with iron heads may be trouble. But no trouble at all with aluminum heads, you may even get away with a bit more compression. If you can scrape together a little more than a grand and get a set of stealths you wont be dissapointed, I guarantee it. Good flowing aluminum heads generally wont require as much spark advance, keep that in mind if go with them.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

10 to 1 with iron heads may be trouble. But no trouble at all with aluminum heads, you may even get away with a bit more compression. If you can scrape together a little more than a grand and get a set of stealths you wont be dissapointed, I guarantee it. Good flowing aluminum heads generally wont require as much spark advance, keep that in mind if go with them.

I was trying to keep it in the 9's Im not a drag racer. So I would probably stick with the .039 gaskets and lower the compression ratio. The heads I have are 452 heads with larger valve springs and some bowl work. No porting since i lack the money to do so.

 

[SimDog]

I was trying to keep it in the 9's Im not a drag racer. So I would probably stick with the .039 gaskets and lower the compression ratio. The heads I have are 452 heads with larger valve springs and some bowl work. No porting since i lack the money to do so.

I agree, you should keep your compression ratio below 9.5 with those iron heads.

 

[MrJLR]

I was trying to keep it in the 9's Im not a drag racer. So I would probably stick with the .039 gaskets and lower the compression ratio. The heads I have are 452 heads with larger valve springs and some bowl work. No porting since i lack the money to do so.

Speaking of porting, you can home port them for next to nothing....I did my 318 heads...first time and they came out great.

Jeff

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Was thinking about gasket matching. I have to get some porting bits and stuff to do this, anyone know of a fairly cheap porting kit?

 

[Lionized]

Was thinking about gasket matching. I have to get some porting bits and stuff to do this, anyone know of a fairly cheap porting kit?

https://www.eastwood.com/engine-porting-kit.html

Haven't used it personally but the price is right and the reviews are good. Some reviews mention picking up at least one carbide bit. I would just try my hand with this until I felt comfortable.

Good luck with your build!

(This thread should be pinned)

 

[MrJLR]

Was thinking about gasket matching. I have to get some porting bits and stuff to do this, anyone know of a fairly cheap porting kit?

I bought a used Dremel off Craigslist for $25 and 2 carbide bits I think from Home Depot. ....total cost less that $50.
EYE PROTECTION is a MUST.
Doesn't hurt to have ear plugs and a breathing mask too.....

From the A-Body forum, this is the video that inspired me and what I used for instructions









Jeff

 

[Paul_G]

What great videos. Thank you so much for those. I have no doubt those 318 heads are going to perform very well. It would have been nice to see either some dyno numbers, which is counter intuitive to the do it yourself theme, or maybe some track runs after the porting work to the heads.

In the past I have done some simple gasket matching, with light clean up of the intake. That alone added performance that could be felt in the seat of the pants.

 

[SimDog]

I have some porting templates somewhere I could send you.

 

[MrJLR]

What great videos. Thank you so much for those. I have no doubt those 318 heads are going to perform very well. It would have been nice to see either some dyno numbers, which is counter intuitive to the do it yourself theme, or maybe some track runs after the porting work to the heads.

In the past I have done some simple gasket matching, with light clean up of the intake. That alone added performance that could be felt in the seat of the pants.

Yup....I opened the snot outta my heads.....I figured more cam, headers, gotta let it breath.....and cost almost nothing!
A lot of labor, but that's hot rodding!

Jeff

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I have some porting templates somewhere I could send you.

Will they work with the 452 heads?

 

[BeepBeepRR]

What great videos. Thank you so much for those. I have no doubt those 318 heads are going to perform very well. It would have been nice to see either some dyno numbers, which is counter intuitive to the do it yourself theme, or maybe some track runs after the porting work to the heads.

In the past I have done some simple gasket matching, with light clean up of the intake. That alone added performance that could be felt in the seat of the pants.

I was thinking gasket matching as well. I ordered a set of carbide bits last night. Gasket matching shouldn't be too much beyond my skill set. I have air and a die grinder i can swap tips. But also have a dremel and some barrels for sanding. The dude that is fixing my valve seats can flow them when I get done with them. I'd be interested to see before and after flow rates.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Picked up my timing set today. They had a delay on my ARP bolt lube. My machine guy failed to return it with the rods. still waiting on the heads and my front cam bearing. Decided to put the carb and intake together. I dont have an 850 so the 750 will have to make due.
cleaned up both the intake and the carb. Basically i polished a turd. Edelbrock 1411

 

[SimDog]

Will they work with the 452 heads?

Yup

 

[BeepBeepRR]

According to the Machine guy he did some bowl work. As far as gasket matching thats pretty self explanatory probably just do that. But I appreciate the offer.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Got bored tonight and started working on the little stuff. Put the carb on the intake and sanded and primed the valve covers and timing chain covers. I know i painted the grommet. Its getting replaced.

 

[SimDog]

According to the Machine guy he did some bowl work. As far as gasket matching thats pretty self explanatory probably just do that. But I appreciate the offer.

Anytime