What is the general opinion of doing a 440 block .060 over?

[super-bee_ski]

Any thought on practicality/feasibility of doing a 440 .060 over bore? Is it a viable option? I have a 440 block already machined to .060 over bore and was wondering if the block can hold up under normal driving conditions, not "Racing". Essentially a "good street motor". Using cast Sealed Power pistons.

 

[rickseeman]

People have been doing that for 60 years.

 

[j-c-c-62]

A thorough sonic test is the most definitive answer on an individual basis IMO.
That being said, at this point, I would have no qualms proceeding in your application/situation.

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

In my opinion a .060" over block makes a better race block than a street block for this reason.

Depending on how thick the cylinder walls are once you start boring things out a lot the walls get thin and they can vibrate.

This causes water to not make contact with the cylinder walls and causes over heating. Not so much of an issue on a 1/4 mile warrior, but can be an issue with long cruising.

Not saying it will be an issue, but can be an issue.

Tom

 

[F4R/T]

Worst thing is you sleeve it. If it sonic tests great roll with it. I’m getting ready for 60 over on my 383 that tested good and core shift was minimal.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Thanks on this...

 

[haywire 440]

Why not sonic check it? Come to think of it I haven’t see any discussion on that test in a long time. I had 3 440 blocks checked years ago and one was good, the other 2 needed sleeves. They all are in dry storage.

 

[super-bee_ski]

A thorough sonic test is the most definitive answer on an individual basis IMO.
That being said, at this point, I would have no qualms proceeding in your application/situation.

Thanks J...going to the shop in Hesperia CA this weekend (hopefully) Pettis engineering...have them Sonic check and magna flux etc. So...as I have always heard "too thin" on the walls and overheating etc. I will debunk that . Thanks

 

[haywire 440]

The good one was also pressure tested and passed.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Why not sonic check it? Come to think of it I haven’t see any discussion on that test in a long time. I had 3 440 blocks checked years ago and one was good, the other 2 needed sleeves. They all are in dry storage.

Yup, good info haywire 440...Thanks!

 

[super-bee_ski]

In my opinion a .060" over block makes a better race block than a street block for this reason.

Depending on how thick the cylinder walls are once you start boring things out a lot the walls get thin and they can vibrate.

This causes water to not make contact with the cylinder walls and causes over heating. Not so much of an issue on a 1/4 mile warrior, but can be an issue with long cruising.

Not saying it will be an issue, but can be an issue.

Tom

Thanks Tom...yeah, something to consider for certain!

 

[R413]

I have one .060 that's been together for 30 years. Works great!

 

[451Mopar]

should be fine. Sonic check the bores will give you more information.

 

[6PKRTSE]

No problem at all. I have 3 cars of my cars that are +.060 with no issues and a few other vehicles that have since been sold over the years. One has over 65,000 on it so far. All we're sonic checked before built.

 

[j-c-c-62]

I am a big believer in Sonic testing, however unless doing yourself, and even then you are likely at the most only measuring say 10% of the bore on each cyl. Is it better than nothing, yes of course. Will it show a bad/weak/thin spot, but only if you are measuring that spot.
High end testing labs for me in the past have measured/recorded 12 points per cylinder.
Sonic test is a must IMO for a race engine.
The Op has already bored the motor for street use, I'd just move on and build it.

 

[WileE]

See posts #2 & 3.

 

[Geoff 2]

Remember. 060 over bore is only 030 bore material removed, not much.

 

[Kern Dog]

I have a couple of 440 blocks at .030 over and one standard bore. I'm saving all of them for spares.
The thought of going .060 was heavily discouraged by the braintrusts at Direct Connection. Rumor was, Larry Shepard was behind that.
What a load of crap that was. I'll bet the dude was one of the first to willingly wear a mask and get a jab in 2020.
Numerous qualified engine builders have DISproven that stupid Thin Wall 440 BS long ago. Yeah, this idiot advised to not bore any 1974 and later 440 more than .020.

Sonic testing and common sense have smashed the "Thin Wall" lies. In many cases, the later 440s were actually heavier than the 66-73 blocks though the hardness of the iron was a bit lower than the early blocks.
If a block has adequate wall thickness at .060, why not move ahead with it?
Does anyone make pistons larger than the .060 overbore? Would an .080 440 piston be a custom order at 4.40 ? Ironic, huh?

 

[gkent]

Wow, did Larry Shepard screw your wife or something ?!?!? That's a lot of hate !

 

[R413]

Rear this article, very good and dispels the myths

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