Recent content by Thunderdan

I like this build. I have a '78 Monaco police car (A38/E86) with the factory 2.71 9-1/4 rear that I am considering a similar build for on the factory 440 and the stroker is the easiest way to reliably do this with low stress on the configuration. Aside from the relatively mild cam you spec'd...

Having a good idea of the current spring rate will be very useful, but if you're using your existing FT springs then they aren't anywhere near strong enough for a roller cam that you're considering, let alone with hydraulic roller lifters as these lifters are *much* heavier than factory ones so...

As other have mentioned, those bores/pistons will at least need a good soaking with marvel mystery oil, acetone, or a combination of different compounds, but the block can be saved. Industrial 413's are *thick*, but there's always a limit. A machine shop can determine the bore thickness with...

The fact that you had to ask your machine shop to check it twice as they were not thorough in the first place is concerning....

Hughes offers 413 pistons? I checked and looks like all they have for RB's was for 440's. Silv-o-lite offers cast and I believe speed pro offers some flat-top hypereutectic ones, but there's lead times on those being made. Be prepared to do quite a bit of work to those old heads to get...

First off, what are your goals for this build? Seems like it's primarily a street engine, but how heavy of a vehicle are you putting it in and what gearing are you going with? The 413 is just a 440 with a smaller bore (with thicker walls) so aside from the big valve heads, all the same 440...

Clever set-up! Thanks for sharing.

Looking to clean up and repaint my 6-hole cop wheels, but need to know what rattle can paint gives the most durable & close to factory (Black) color attainable? Eastwoods? Duplicolor? Rustoleum? Thanks in advance.

Care to share any pics? That sounds like a very nice setup

Back when I was a tire store manager, we had a common tire package for the A-body (colonnade body) GM models of 255/60/15 on the factory 15x7 wheel, which was the minimum width wheel that the tire could (officially) handle and kept the heigth closer to the 27.5" that the factory came with. Many...

+1 for TTI's. You want the best fit and while they're $$, they're you're go-to headers anymore. For a mild-moderate build, 1 3/4" should easily be enough and give you the most clearance around the starter and spark plugs too. Let us know what you decide.

This is true- all of the HD/Police 727's weren't lockup in '78 either. *Most* others were, but one has to check and verify.

Scrape the grease off the engine ID pad (the flat horizontal machined spot on the top of the block right behind that water pump). Might take some wirebrushing too, but you'll see either "440" or "413" and some other letters/symbols stamped there. I'm 90% certain it's a 413, which is still a...

I've seen this company pop up in other threads on this topic in a few searches as I'm considering going this route with my 452 heads on my upcoming build. Would be nice to hear from others who may have used their CNC porting on iron heads and what their experience was (flow numbers are great...

If you're looking for numerically lower numbers, the 9.25" diffs in the 70's C-body cop cars and '75-'78 Big block B-body cop cars had 2.71s and 3.21 as options, although a limited slip was only available in the 3.21s. Then again, good luck finding a those cop car parts as they are quickly...