Need opinions on a CL engine

[wsutard]

I found a 440 on CL that I am interested in. Would you mind providing me with your opinions?

https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/pts/6024415841.html

I have already asked for a list of parts, brand and spec as well as what machining has been done to the block and heads.

I can ask anything else you think I should know.

My ultimate goal would be to have a 500hp 440. I would be ok with 440hp.

I have never built an engine before so this will be a new challenge for me.

 

[Mike67]

First question I would ask is about the planned CR? He mentions choice of new heads, which ones?, CC? Whats been done to them??? A few variables can change simple things...Piston- Valve clearnce, CR...
I would ask for copies for the receipts and the name of the machine shop. Contact them and ask what was exactly done and with which parts...What were the measurements before after?
Price is ok, if your going to assemble it all yourself or take it back to the shop that did the initial work as long as all the pieces work together.
A lot of shops dont like assembling assortment.
Most assemble "new " motors I've seen on CL run $5-7k...

 

[NOSTRT980]

oil pump is not a big block. you can see it on the table. ask a lot of questions

 

[PRND21]

A couple things I noticed, the oil pump is for a small block and the pistons have a dome on them. Make sure they are compatible with the heads. Also balancer is for external balance, hard to tell, but crank looks to be forged. Potential parts incompatibility. I'm sure no expert, hopefully someone else can help identify.

 

[wantahemi]

I agree with Mike67. Most shops are a little bitchy about assembling a pile of parts. In my experience, if you don't go back to the same shop, most will want to go through the block and parts and start over. I can't say I can blame them. They have to put their name on it and stand behind it.

Last year I built a 440 six pack and bought everything from 440 source. I took a complete motor to my builder and swore that it was the best and complete set he ever put together for a Mopar 440. My kit took it to a 512 stroker and I topped it with a 6 barrel setup. Smooth, lots of lower end and top end.

I'd use lots of caution and if you want that setup, get it as cheap as possible. My guess is it would be best to take it where the work was done for assembly. Online for 5-8k complete all day long.

Best of luck!

 

[66Satellite47]

Lots of potential compatibility issues (590 cam w/pistons that don't appear to be fly cut, forged crank? w/cast balancer, piston to head, how much machine work has been done vs yet to do, which rod bolts, antique distributor, oil pump not for this motor, tray at top of pic 4?). Good luck.

 

[wsutard]

Ok. Enough great responses here to tell me to not touch this.

Other than CME, who else does complete mopar engines?

I'm in Seattle.

 

[threewood]

That looks like a mess. My question would be why he didn't assemble it. I would pay more to get the correct parts that play well together.

 

[66Satellite47]

One advantage of buying an un-assembled is that you see the condition of the parts. Buying an assembled motor that you don't have verified documentation & history is a crap shoot. A buddy of mine bought a "fresh" BBC from an ad, lasted about two weeks on the street before self destructing.

 

[dieseldazzle]

I'd pass

 

[1967coronet440]

Pass on it, you can find a bare block fairly cheap bring it to your preferred builder/shop tell them what you want and let them build it.