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Mild 413 Build, looking for tips

MoparMike44066

MoparMike44066

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Hey guys!

I've been wanting to replace the 318 in my satellite wagon with a big block and I found a 413 with trans that I'm going to pick up. Its an truck/motor home engine, so I know going in that its a low compression stump puller but I don't need a huge horsepower motor, so I figured I'd just go for it. I'm going to tear it down, just to make sure everything is in good shape and I figured, while I'm at it, it seems like a good time to do some upgrades.

I'm thinking I'll do a cam, aluminum heads, intake and headers (just going to leave the bottom end intact if everythinglooks good), I figured I'd see if anyone had worked on one of these engines and had any suggestions. I was looking at either Edelbrock or 440 Source heads, but the cam was my main question. I was thinking something like a Comp Extreme Energy .488/.491 but I'm open to suggestions. I have a Torker II laying around and I'll see if I can scrounge up some headers.

Again, I'm really looking to keep it pretty mild, just make it sound good and breathe better. I daily drive it when the weather is nice, so I don't need or want a race car, I have my Charger for that. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
 
MoparMike44066 said:
Hey guys!

I've been wanting to replace the 318 in my satellite wagon with a big block and I found a 413 with trans that I'm going to pick up. Its an truck/motor home engine, so I know going in that its a low compression stump puller but I don't need a huge horsepower motor, so I figured I'd just go for it. I'm going to tear it down, just to make sure everything is in good shape and I figured, while I'm at it, it seems like a good time to do some upgrades.

I'm thinking I'll do a cam, aluminum heads, intake and headers (just going to leave the bottom end intact if everythinglooks good), I figured I'd see if anyone had worked on one of these engines and had any suggestions. I was looking at either Edelbrock or 440 Source heads, but the cam was my main question. I was thinking something like a Comp Extreme Energy .488/.491 but I'm open to suggestions. I have a Torker II laying around and I'll see if I can scrounge up some headers.

Again, I'm really looking to keep it pretty mild, just make it sound good and breathe better. I daily drive it when the weather is nice, so I don't need or want a race car, I have my Charger for that. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

These heads....
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-5090/make/dodge

Why? The smallest chambers which will help build cylinder pressure... And sold as a pair at a very good price...

I haven't been as excited about cams from Comp Cams in recent times... I'd suggest looking elsewhere... Maybe Lunati, maybe Hughes, Might call Dwayne Porter & see what he would recommend... (802) 951-1955
 
Hughes whiplash cams are specially designed for low compression engines.
My primary cocern with a 413 would be what pistons to use, and what is available. I looked around a little, and all i could find were cast, dished pistons, and even they weren't cheap.
 
33 IMP said:
Hughes whiplash cams are specially designed for low compression engines.
My primary cocern with a 413 would be what pistons to use, and what is available. I looked around a little, and all i could find were cast, dished pistons, and even they weren't cheap.
Click to expand...

I got the impression he didn't intend to replace pistons... If it goes that direction I would avoid the whole deal... 413's like 361's are a nightmare... No pistons are available so you immediately wind up in a custom piston.... Cheaper & better to track down a 440...
 
There is a guy on Moparts who is planning a run of 413/426 pistons. Maybe go find his info if you're thinking about 413 pistons.
 
1 Wild R/T said:
These heads....
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-5090/make/dodge

Why? The smallest chambers which will help build cylinder pressure... And sold as a pair at a very good price...

I haven't been as excited about cams from Comp Cams in recent times... I'd suggest looking elsewhere... Maybe Lunati, maybe Hughes, Might call Dwayne Porter & see what he would recommend... (802) 951-1955
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely check out Lunati and Hughes. Those heads seem like a good deal as well.

As I said in my original post, I'm really not looking to do a complete disassembly or replace pistons. This is going in a car that will be daily driven, not a drag car, so I'm not looking for maximum performance. I know that might sound weird considering most guys are trying to squeeze everything they can from their engines but I just don't need or want that in this application.

I was really trying to find a stock 383 or 440, but all I've been able to find are either bare blocks or people asking $4,000+ for built stuff. I figured this might work in place of either of those. I didn't pick up the motor yet, so maybe I'll make a post here in the WTB section and see if anyone has a reasonably priced engine that isn't across the country.

I appreciate the input.
 
Make sure its not an industrial style engine! I looked into one and theres just way too much to change. Sometimes its just the block thats useable--- even then debatable .
 
Screenshot_20201128-165033_Google.jpg

The print is pretty small/ blurry but the compression of a 413 industrial is rated at 7.5:1. That is probably with a .020 head gasket. If the compression is overrated like most mass produced engines its potentially even lower. I have yet to see any info on head cc's for a industrial motor, but even with a 75cc edelbrock perhaps it would be 8.5:1.
The short block is likely the only part that will work for a car. Which means a automotive waterpump housing, heads, intake, oil pan, motor mounts and accessory drive, shorter push rods, distributer will all need to be found/bought. Some industrial engines have a 8 bolt crank flange as well. You have a good shot at a rv engine being low miles, but its not a good donor. Unless you have the rest of the parts you need. If its car style 413, that would make life better for sure.
 
Last edited:
Screenshot_20201128-190841_Google.jpg


This is the specs blown up.. Hughes whiplash would sound mean and run pretty good with low compression. I would consider it.
 
Flow over compression every time.
The cam will be somewhat limited performance wise though, yes, I did read daily driver, the over all lift would be (or need to be) low which is also coupled with duration since cams for us are done this way.
(Short duration/low lift, long duration/high lift)

The cam specs would have to match not only what a daily driver needs but the actual equipment behind it all. Gear ratio/tire size, cruise rpm, car weight. Getting the Edelbrock heads and not getting a cam lifting the valves past .500 is IMO, a waste of time and money. The stock heads addressed properly will do the job well and it should be a bit cheaper.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, just make sure the engine doesn't have the high mount water pump. A lot of the 413 motor homes had that system where the pump housing attached to the heads too.....
 
Cranky said:
Yeah, just make sure the engine doesn't have the high mount water pump. A lot of the 413 motor homes had that system where the pump housing attached to the heads too.....
Click to expand...
lol correct. Its not just the "high mount water pump" (but good identifier ),, almost everything on this whole motor is unusable in a mopar car build.
 
RemCharger said:
lol correct. Its not just the "high mount water pump" (but good identifier ),, almost everything on this whole motor is unusable in a mopar car build.
Click to expand...

The short block can be used, the heads, manifolds & water pump can not...
 
The cranks can sometimes be too long and wrong bolt flange...just all wrong.
 
C'mon man,, (sorry!) a 440 can't be that hard to find. keep looking.
 
Just went to check out the engine, I ended up passing on it. It would have served better as an anchor, way rougher than I was hoping.

Oh well, I guess I'll try and track down a 383 or 440 instead, and again I do appreciate the input from everyone. Sounds like it may have been for the best anyways.
 
Let's bring this back up.....cause I always try to buy those old motor home motors that come thru the yard - especially if they run out anti freeze ! Have a 413 from a 1972 that appears to have a forged crank and the all important drilled crank for a 4 speed. Are there not pistons available up to 10.5 like the early 413 engines ran ? I do have a set of 67 440 heads that are wasting away off my old GTX.
 
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