440 build

Pick a wedge head with combustion chamber similar to your early mopar head
ie flat with no raised area away from the plug like the 902-906-452 etc
Figure out what cc choices you have your heads are supposed to be 74 but more likely 80
Edlebrock has two choices
then you want the piston part that is under the head at 0 deck
depending on how much compression you want you will most likely end up with a D DISH or a Step Dish on the spark plug side
then pick your pistons to give you the Mechanical (static) compression ratio you are looking for
then pick an intake closed point to give you the dynamic compression you are looking for
have a good idea what rpm range you want your torque at
if you pick a cam with the intake closed point to give best dynamic compression - not to much = detonation too little you loose torque
you can go larger on the lobe duration the more you squeeze the lobe centers together- which gives worse idle
if you start making the cam longer and increasing the LOBE closed you loose low end but your can gain on the top end with a bigger lobe but now you are into the looser converter lower gears merrygo round
there are those who can help on the DCA trial and error selection process- it's all trade offs
start with the KB pistons and play with the cc's and the heads
once you price it out you may find a stroker kit is not much more money than building your own

before you demolish the motor measure how far the piston is down at all four corners with your dial calipers save the dimensions

So I broke the oil pump off lol and all I can hear from my wife is "see told you to take it somewhere", but I also want to say I did some work also not just paid for everything you know. So I'm going to take the block in and have it machined and 30 over and new pistons,rings bearing etc. Dows anyone know the nut size for the rear main area to remove the last main bolts.

Wyrmrider I did measure and posted photos the best I could with the dial indicator.

So I'm abandoning this project guys just to much. It's just myself with nobody to help at all and to think I could do it all myself you know. I have a 66 383 in there now but 40 over with flat top pistons. Is there any way to up the compression and use aftermarket heads and intake and so on. At least I can change the heads by myself lol.

Sure. A set of Stealths will work fine. Get the valve job checked, replace the retainers and locks, and replace the springs with ones to match the camshaft choice. The bolt them on.

Thanks I'll do that;) but one question , if I buy those why would I need to add more work to them? Lol Would I be better off getting something Eddie rpms for a little more money but done?

you have to have the edelbrocks- allof them checked
you may find tight guides and the seats may not be concentric with the guides
perhaps I lead you ashtray
dial calipers with the little tail that comes out when your open them up makes a good depth guage
383 with flat top pistons is not the point- how far down the hole at tdc is
I know it gets frustrating but take your time and you can do most anything