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440 source parts/recommendations?

E

Erik Morris

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Location
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Looking to build a 505-528 displacement 440 stroker. Local machine shop with a great reputation (HBR Las Vegas, NV) refuses to use 440 Source parts, claims that every time they have used such parts in the past they are incorrectly measured, twisted, unbalanced, etc...etc... require 3x the machining work of other, higher quality offerings. Looking for input from anyone who has built a similar motor with 440 Source parts, and your "thumbs up/thumbs down" personal experience.
 
in my experience on two builds in the last 10 years (or so), the tolerances on the 440 Source parts are pretty good. Not perfect, but good enough that you need not worry if your not revving over... 6500 RPM or so. A really good build shop may not find them ideal, but that same build shop will cost you $$$ to use, too.

Perfection, is only as good as the people striving for it. Some shops can be myopic about things, and overlook obvious other areas in need of attention on an engine build. Add to this they may not have much experience with Mopar-440-specifci issues, when they come up.

Let's not forget, the engines were somewhat slapped together at the factory, and they performed pretty well for street use. If you're building a racing engine, then I concur, you want as much balance and precision as you can afford.

The 440 Source parts seem designed more for... the hobbyist, I think. They offer enough quality and precision as practical for the costs and pricing of the items.
 
Thumbs up... I've built several 440 Source strokers (512's) and they run like a champ. For me, the key is I tell the machinist what I want for just the block, and I do the rest -even all the way down to I put in cam bearings and freeze plugs. BTW... I've run them all to 7k. Comes down to the 80/20 rule... can you find better? Absolutely. But you can get most of the way to what you want with a solid solution. I should add, I'm talking only about the rotating assembly/short block.

I don't know your machinist, obviously, but in general I tend to avoid people/businesses with hardlines like that... they tend to be personal or a one-off situation where they got burned... so you get the "never again" type of attitude. I call it the "shoe bomber effect". Some a$$hole tried to light his shoe on fire in a plane and everyone has to take their shoes off to this day going through TSA. Over rotation.
 
I have built over the last ten years at least 20 engines using their parts and have had zero trouble. What I buy most is the rotating assemblies.
while I am not a machinist, I do have measuring tools and check specs, and I have a dyno so they get put through their paces before they get put in a car.

I used one of their cranks in a 540 build that made 800HP and it ran just fine, sold the car at about 200 passes.
 
I used their 528 pre-balanced kit. Absolutely ZERO issues. I've used a bunch of their other stuff with no issues also. Find another machine shop 'cause if you do convince these guys to use the kit they'll probably **** something up just to say "we told you so" !!!
 
I will say this though ... if I were doing it again I wouldn't go with the full .055 over bore, I'd stick with the .030 over. And I'd probably go with a shorter stroke so as not to have to use an external pickup. Live and learn !!!
 
Have you looked into Molner Techknowledgies that lists on here (I think I spelled it right, sorry if I’m wrong) but they have some good looking rotating assemblies for Dale from what I see
 
The 512 in my wife’s Runner was built 15 years ago using 440 Source rotating assembly. My local engine guy preferred to do the balancing himself using my balancer and SFI flex plate. No issues on this end!
 
I have a 440 source rotating assembly in my newly built 505. Balanced well and went together with no problems.Have their A body oil pan as well. Would not hesitate to use them again.

Molnar has a dealer here also. pm @PROSTOCKTOM for selection and availability.

Of course having a machinist double check everything before assembling is money well spent.
 
I have used HBR a couple of times.
I do not any more.

Sureway in Kingman is recommended
by most guys and only 70 miles from us
Loge/Stein and Pettis both in California are
reliable.

I have some racer friends that had a 500 Wedge (440 Source)
built by them. It blew up a couple times while
trying to run it on their Dyno. It now has a sleeve
or two plus some new seats and head repair according
to the receipts their family sent me. (The father and son
passed away before motor was ever put in). I was going to
buy it as it is new (Asking $8,000.) and for sale, but when I read, their receipts and
explanations from HPR I decide it was not for me and got cold feet.


Just my .02 = For Free!
 
GTX JOHN said:
I have used HBR a couple of times.
I do not any more.

Sureway in Kingman is recommended
by most guys and only 70 miles from us
Loge/Stein and Pettis both in California are
reliable.

I have some racer friends that had a 500 Wedge (440 Source)
built by them. It blew up a couple times while
trying to run it on their Dyno. It now has a sleeve
or two plus some new seats and head repair according
to the receipts their family sent me. (The father and son
passed away before motor was ever put in). I was going to
buy it as it is new (Asking $8,000.) and for sale, but when I read, their receipts and
explanations from HPR I decide it was not for me and got cold feet.


Just my .02 = For Free!
Click to expand...
Sir, you are either psychic or very well-informed. I messaged you a few moments ago, not realizing you had posted below ckessel's reply. HBR is the facility where my parts are currently stored on a pallet awaiting assembly, and I had forgotten (already) that I identified them in the initial post. Old age sucks.
 
Last edited:
It's probably considered petty, but I won't use 440source just because their astronomical shipping. I was approaching $200 just in shipping for a pair of heads, cam and lifters. That is ridiculous. I know things cost to ship, but not that much.
 
Many people have had good luck with their parts. The company has been around for many years and fill a niche, have good rep. Of course, they're not 100% perfect all the time. No one is. There are better sources/parts available. Just have to make your choices.
 
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