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Opinion on minimum cylinder wall thickness

theman440

theman440

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OK - I'm lookin' for opinions on a minimum cyl wall thickness for a race motor - 440 block, shootin' for 700-750 HP

Thank you.
 
I don't have my FSM in front of me, what's the book say?
 
I had my block sonic checked and they're sayin the walls are .300-.320 thick.
 
Thank you Budnicks - great article. If Da Grump likes .215 for a minimum then it looks like I might be alright with this block. Gonna talk to my machinist so more -
 
theman440 said:
I had my block sonic checked and they're sayin the walls are .300-.320 thick.
Click to expand...
If your cylinder walls are that thick there is no need to fill the block.

But, what are the non-thrust sides and the pin sides? You should have at least 12 measurements for each cylinder.
 
IQ52 said:
If your cylinder walls are that thick there is no need to fill the block.

But, what are the non-thrust sides and the pin sides? You should have at least 12 measurements for each cylinder.
Click to expand...

Well, it looks like i'd been better off if I had just thrown my money in the trash - I stopped in the machine shop to ask the guy where and how he measured the cyl walls . . . he got kinda agitated tried to explain what they'd done and they only measured 4 cylinders in one spot at about 10:30 and only at the top and middle of the cylinders. Gonna have to find someone else now. Is anybody aware somebody who might rent out a sonic checker ?
 
D**k heads. Never go back to that machine shop except for free donuts. And then, only for the donuts.
 
IQ52 said:
If your cylinder walls are that thick there is no need to fill the block.

But, what are the non-thrust sides and the pin sides? You should have at least 12 measurements for each cylinder.
Click to expand...
this! the thin part is about 45 degrees from the thrust. also, chevies have a shorter cylinder and not as much flex, and big chevies have more iron in them.
 
theman440 said:
Well, it looks like i'd been better off if I had just thrown my money in the trash - I stopped in the machine shop to ask the guy where and how he measured the cyl walls . . . he got kinda agitated tried to explain what they'd done and they only measured 4 cylinders in one spot at about 10:30 and only at the top and middle of the cylinders. Gonna have to find someone else now. Is anybody aware somebody who might rent out a sonic checker ?
Click to expand...
do it yourself and then you'll know the truth.
 
Update - I took it to another machine shop - they are gonna measure all cylinders at 12,3,6&9 o-clock positions and bottom, middle & top of bores.
 
do it yourself and then you'll know the truth.[/QUOTE]

I would if i could . . .
 
If you are look for 500-535 CID. Look at a 1971-75 413/426 HD block. Three of my block are .260-.280 on the thrust side with a 4.250 bore this is a block you can buy with a crank all day for $250. an sell the crank off. Run a 4.250-4.375 crank with 7.1 rod and a dam good head an cam. And hook the car up. The long rod will help you not to load the side of the block.
 
67BELRO said:
If you are look for 500-535 CID. Look at a 1971-75 413/426 HD block. Three of my block are .260-.280 on the thrust side with a 4.250 bore this is a block you can buy with a crank all day for $250. an sell the crank off. Run a 4.250-4.375 crank with 7.1 rod and a dam good head an cam. And hook the car up. The long rod will help you not to load the side of the block.
Click to expand...

Yes, i'm gonna do a stroker and yes i'm using 7.10 rods. My 440 block is being sonic checked right now, if the walls are .300 thick I'm gonna bore it .055 or .060 over and do a partial block fill (3/4 inch) I just got my BRC girdle kit with billet main caps for it also. Should be pretty stout . . . crossing my fingers on the cyl wall thickness.
 
Can't say a specific number but can offer this info. I do know that .080-.090" lasted for 30+ years as a 350 HP wagon engine. At 700+ HP it lasted hours....

Hard lesson learned about core shift. I'd never build an engine again without sonic checking. Follow above advice and make sure its good before throwing money at. I lost pretty much anything than spun or reciprocated in my motor.
 
IMG_20171213_194719694.jpg



Yes, you are correct BCR, not BRC. Here it is, I got their billet seal retainer too -
 
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