I'm starting to get thoughts together for a 440-505 build. When the time comes to select and get with a machinist/short block builder, they will direct from there but I learned a long time ago that it's best to at least have some kind of plan going in. Hot street car but I'm not looking for MAX power, 550-600 at the most as my car doesn't often see the strip but gets the piss driven out of it in every kind of mundane duty as well as 'hammer time'...so let's see if I'm heading in an okay direction!
What's certain:
'78 440 block--I've enlarged the main oil feeds, touched up the pickup feed passage and taken off as much casting flash and big ugly parting lines as was comfortable.
4.25" crank/7.1 BBC rod kit
27cc dish forged pistons
(440 source kit, machinist will be aware of possible corrective work--or I get someone else lol!)
Bore .030" (currently factory 4.320")
Square and mill the decks for zero. Using
standard .039" fel-pro gaskets for 10 to 1 compression. (May vary a tenth or two depending on the final CC of the heads).
--Parts I'll be using that are currently in service:
6 qt oil pan & 3/8 pickup.
Edelbrock RPM heads, previously milled .030" but no porting.
RPM intake or maybe throw on the Torker II I have laying around.
850 Speed Demon carb, modded for adjustable everything.
1-7/8 TTIs to 3" exhaust, ultra-flow mufflers.
Yet to be determined:
Solid FT cam. No rollers or hydraulics. I'll be consulting with the pros for the final product but your input is valued; again just to get an idea. I know that compared to hydraulics an equivalent solid FT should be 8° or so longer and account for lash on the lift. How much do you typically increase with the extra cubes? I currently run the XE275-HL and it's got a little bit of chop to the idle, but I could stand a tad more.
Factory main caps/bolts still okay here? If not the extra machining will be figured in.
1.5 rockers. Going to 1.6s could be an option. I've actually had real good results with Mancini's Harland Sharp units(properly set up).
I don't see needing to rev to 6000, nor do I care, but I don't want a tractor motor either! With the heads not being ported I know there's some gonna get left on the table but is the goal still feasible? Peak at maybe 5500 or a tad less with a streetable cam? I can't have the heads done now but I at least want a solid thought-out bottom end that can easily support any future changes.
Oh, '68 Satellite, 727 with 3.73 gears. Currently 28" tires and I will most definitely be getting a custom converter. With me and 1/2 tank it's right about 3650 lbs.
I drive my car regularly, from quick trips to the hardware store, kids games and car shows to the 'occasional playfulness'. (Plenty of wide-open spaces nearby). Most cruising is from 2000(40 mph) to 2500(50 mph) give or take, and I'm perfectly fine doing closer to 3000 when I (very rarely) get on the freeway. Gonna experience plenty of traffic/slow streets and idling on hot days too, which is why I'm planning for the milder SCR. I want at least the power potential to get solidly in the 11s when I can make it down to Famoso dragstrip, without the conditions and chassis setup having to be 100% perfect, but not be a finicky PITA to drive for coffee...okay enough rambling already! Thanks everyone.
What's certain:
'78 440 block--I've enlarged the main oil feeds, touched up the pickup feed passage and taken off as much casting flash and big ugly parting lines as was comfortable.
4.25" crank/7.1 BBC rod kit
27cc dish forged pistons
(440 source kit, machinist will be aware of possible corrective work--or I get someone else lol!)
Bore .030" (currently factory 4.320")
Square and mill the decks for zero. Using
standard .039" fel-pro gaskets for 10 to 1 compression. (May vary a tenth or two depending on the final CC of the heads).
--Parts I'll be using that are currently in service:
6 qt oil pan & 3/8 pickup.
Edelbrock RPM heads, previously milled .030" but no porting.
RPM intake or maybe throw on the Torker II I have laying around.
850 Speed Demon carb, modded for adjustable everything.
1-7/8 TTIs to 3" exhaust, ultra-flow mufflers.
Yet to be determined:
Solid FT cam. No rollers or hydraulics. I'll be consulting with the pros for the final product but your input is valued; again just to get an idea. I know that compared to hydraulics an equivalent solid FT should be 8° or so longer and account for lash on the lift. How much do you typically increase with the extra cubes? I currently run the XE275-HL and it's got a little bit of chop to the idle, but I could stand a tad more.
Factory main caps/bolts still okay here? If not the extra machining will be figured in.
1.5 rockers. Going to 1.6s could be an option. I've actually had real good results with Mancini's Harland Sharp units(properly set up).
I don't see needing to rev to 6000, nor do I care, but I don't want a tractor motor either! With the heads not being ported I know there's some gonna get left on the table but is the goal still feasible? Peak at maybe 5500 or a tad less with a streetable cam? I can't have the heads done now but I at least want a solid thought-out bottom end that can easily support any future changes.
Oh, '68 Satellite, 727 with 3.73 gears. Currently 28" tires and I will most definitely be getting a custom converter. With me and 1/2 tank it's right about 3650 lbs.
I drive my car regularly, from quick trips to the hardware store, kids games and car shows to the 'occasional playfulness'. (Plenty of wide-open spaces nearby). Most cruising is from 2000(40 mph) to 2500(50 mph) give or take, and I'm perfectly fine doing closer to 3000 when I (very rarely) get on the freeway. Gonna experience plenty of traffic/slow streets and idling on hot days too, which is why I'm planning for the milder SCR. I want at least the power potential to get solidly in the 11s when I can make it down to Famoso dragstrip, without the conditions and chassis setup having to be 100% perfect, but not be a finicky PITA to drive for coffee...okay enough rambling already! Thanks everyone.