Our 440 build

[fla 66 cuda]

My son has finally pulled the trigger on the shumaker kit so he is now wondering about the engine, what we have is a 440 [75-78 block] stock stroke,flat top pistons,4.307 bore [i'm guessing .30 overbore] heads are stock 76-78- 2.08 int.- 1.74 exh. Engine has been machined and short block assembled,heads have been machined with new valves [ss i think] cam is? the numbers are as follows 68059 and 68-41-05 and the intials CR all of these were etched into the cam at the rear face. Our question is how much hp can we expect and suggestions on what to purchase to make hp, he [my son] is hopeing for 400 plus if possible. New cam is on the list,roller rockers,dual plane intake,carb all need to be purchased. This will be mated to a 727 trans [needs rebuilt and stall torque converter]. My son plans to use this car for Poker [cannon ball] runs and some street racing in this area, any sugesstions are welcome.

 

[Stumper]

Isn't a stock 440ci bore 4.32"?? I don't think yours has been bored at all.

 

[fla 66 cuda]

I don't know about this engine i thought i read 4.00 earlier somewhere can't find it now what i have found just now you are right.

 

[Stumper]

I checked too, 3.75" stroke x 4.32" bore is stock. A 30 over would be 4.35". Maybe a 400ci that you have?

 

[Meep-Meep]

The 4.307" dimension does not compute. As mentioned, a STD 440 is 4.320"; a STD 400 is 4.340"; a STD 383 and 426 is 4.250". A .060" over 383 or 426 is 4.310", which is very close to the 4.307" you measured. Maybe take another stab at measuring the bore.

 

[67 B-body]

Whats on the stamp pad? It should have 440 on it.
If there is no stamp pad, then it's not a RB engine which means it's not a 426 or 440.

 

[67 B-body]

Did you use calipers at the top of the bore to obtain this dimension? If so, you might be getting the false bore dimension from the ridge generated from high miles and carbon build...

 

[fla 66 cuda]

Answers to questions.
Yes i did measure with calipers at the top of the bore and i do beleve that it is stock bore.
Stamp pad information [5 28 2 and 6T 440 E] i ran the casting numbers an it comes back as 75-78 block,heads are 76-78 casting number.

block casting # 4006630-440-4

head casting # 4006452

flat top pistons

My son wants to know what has to be done to make H.P. from this motor [he read in stock form it only has 195 horse] i have tried to explain that is with all the emission junk on it but he needs more proof and an idea of what to do/purchase to get his number he is looking for [400+] out of it. We have a friend that does head work so thats covered we are not using headers [73 charger factory small block car too tight for headers we are running HP manifolds] don't know what cam is in it [see first post for # info] but putting a different one in is not a problem as the engine is not completely assembled [shortblock form right now] any help would be appreciated.

 

[arizona satellite]

you did say it was machined, right? if so what pistons were used? cast, forged or keith black silvo-lite? this is very important as the HP will very depending on the comp ratio. in stk form it was 8.5-1, pretty weak, if you now have a zero deck piston and say 88cc heads you can figure on 9.5-1 or so, with a good intake-performer rpm ect and a 750cfm carb( edelbrock or holley, your choice) and a cam in the 280/480 range i think you should see the 400 HP you are looking for.

 

[fla 66 cuda]

I don't know what was used for pistons we purchased a charger project and this motor came with it, is there a way to tell what pistons they are from the bottom looking into the crankcase [the shortblock is assembled]. Don't know what zero deck means [flat top?] and the heads are bone stock i beleve.

 

[arizona satellite]

zero deck means that when the piston is at top dead center it is even with the deck. you can look at the underside of the piston and if there are casting numbers cast into the piston it is a cast piston. if the piston is below the deck at top dead center then you have stock replacement piston and your comp ratio will be low, resulting in a lower HP number. I hope this helps.

 

[fla 66 cuda]

Thanks for the input i'll check those things out i'm an all around mechanic but i never got into the specs and such i just built what was figured out by somebody else guess i should have paid attention.

 

[arizona satellite]

no problem, you know even if it has sotck parts it will still be fun to drive and big blocks have no trouble lighting the tires!

 

[fla 66 cuda]

I know i'm over the high horsepower stuff but my son [i created a horsepower freak] wants a fire breathing monster on a limited pocket book, he is into running poker runs went to his first one last week and had fun but his stock 2011 v6 stang did not have the balls he wanted and he don't want to mod it cause of the warrenty, he plans to build this charger for that type of event [wanted to use it for a rally car i talked him out of it, too heavy] he is not happy about the low HP numbers he has read about on the later model 440s but i told him those were emission type numbers not what he will get after some performance parts and massaging. I'm trying to explain to him with a heavy car HP is ok but torque is what you want to move it along quickly. We'll see what happens thanks for your help i'm gonna take him to the local cruise in tomorrow night and let the older guys talk to him maybe he'll listen to their advice.

 

[67 B-body]

You can use a straight edge across the deck, and measure down to the piston at TDC to get the dimensions for how far the piston sets down in the cyl "this might be up to .050". You can then calculate the rest to figure compression. There are several spreadsheets available online to help with this calculating compression. It will ask you for stroke, bore, piston to deck measurement, head gasket thickness "probably .040", combustion chamber volumne in CC's. Then spit out a number to you for calculated working compression.