Keep it? Throw it?

[Roger63]

I disassembled the 440 that came in my rt today and this is what I found. 2 different heads 1 a 452 the other is unknown as there are no casting numbers. Cast crank in good condition..060 oversize pistons fairly new, the rods appear to be in great shape. But, they have been numbered twice and neither number matches the cylinder its in.
Keep it? Trash it? Or keep part of it?
Thanks for your opinions.

 

[Gunner1]

What do you want it to be when your done. If it’s a mild build and the pistons will work then you can hone the block, check the rods for size and balance. Balance the crank and you have a good short block. But if the bore is to oversized or not round then I would think about another core. As long as the block will pass muster I think that’s the big thing

 

[sam dupont]

Is it the original block? If not, there's always a motorhome 440 or two on Craigslist.

 

[Kern Dog]

A 440 that is already .060 out?
Has anyone here ever built a 440 that was bored past that amount?
My machinist said that in his experience, the Mopar blocks are cast with the hardest iron he ever deals with. Too many people bore their blocks when it isn't necessary.
For as build up to 500 HP, I've read that the cast crank is fine.

 

[Roger63]

Is it the original block? If not, there's always a motorhome 440 or two on Craigslist.

Not the original it's a 78 block.

 

[Roger63]

A 440 that is already .060 out?
Has anyone here ever built a 440 that was bored past that amount?
My machinist said that in his experience, the Mopar blocks are cast with the hardest iron he ever deals with. Too many people bore their blocks when it isn't necessary.
For as build up to 500 HP, I've read that the cast crank is fine.

Yes already .060 over, I decided to pull it when I found the mismatched heads. I ran a compression check on it and 135 was the high and 123 was the low.

 

[Kern Dog]

Those numbers may have simply represented the low compression ratio, not the condition of the engine. 135-123 isn't that big of a spread. 10% isn't horrible. From what I've read, 15% or more of a spread is the point where a rebuild is suggested.

 

[Roger63]

The rods and pistons look fairly new, but truthfully the mismatched heads and a few other minor oddities got me wondering.

 

[33 IMP]

For a street build , the mismatched heads wouldn't bother me a whole lot. Probably purchased from a head rebuilder who doesn't give a crap about casting numbers.
The .060 over wouldn't bother me either, if the bores are still good. I ran a .070 over 426 plenty hard, without problems. It probably didn't really need to go .060 however.
And Mopar cast cranks are plenty strong, moreso than the c and f brands.
I would hone the block, and put the pistons and rods back in the holes they came out of, regardless of the numbers stamped on the rods.

 

[HawkRod]

I'd say if the bores on the block are good, put it back together and run it!

With it being .060 over, it may not make the best block to make a 1000 horsepower dragster, but as a street engine it should be fine.

 

[RemCharger]

My buddy runs a full bodied 64 dodge, moderate compression 70 over 440 bracket racing .mid to high 10s. It's been hanging in there.
It was an already built bottom end.
I wouldn't worry on the street.

 

[Roger63]

The other problem is that it's a low compression motor. I would like to bump it up around 9.5 to1.

 

[themechanic]

Follow your instincts.

 

[RemCharger]

Follow your instincts.

Yeah and, " it all depends "

 

[R413]

I run a .060 over 440 bracket racing mid 12’s. It has thousands of runs and works great, no overheating. Small cam, mild, shift at 5300

 

[4speed68rt]

Clean it up, tune it up and run it. Lower compression is good for the street. If it will run on pump gas, that is a bonus.

 

[33 IMP]

The other problem is that it's a low compression motor. I would like to bump it up around 9.5 to1.

9.5 is the sweet spot, for 91. The low compression you have should run on 87. Might be worth keeping, considering the price difference between 87 and 91 (that's only gonna get worse). That point and a half might be worth an extra 4% power.
For a frequent street driver, I'd probably let it be.....I'm not sure I would buy pistons, hang em, balance em, and then have to feed it 91 for 4%.

 

[68-500]

If you decide to throw it out I know a good spot for it.

 

[Bighouse]

I go by the motto of don’t fix what isn’t broken.

 

[Roger63]

It needed to come out for a few reasons, it had a vibration which turned out to be a zero balance converter mounted to a neutral balanced flex plate. It leaks and is very dirty. The engine bay needs to be painted etc.