440 block filled water jackets

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Penstarpurist

Penstarpurist

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Saw an ad on craigslist for a guy selling a .30 over 440 block only that has had the block filled up to the freeze plugs. He's asking $150 for it. Comes with main caps. Is this a good price? What's the purpose of benefit to this? I know it's to eliminate the need for a cooling system? Correct?
 
Very good price, if it’s good. Block fill makes the block more rigid so that the cylinder walls don’t move around as much, if at all. U still need a cooling system, even more so as there is less water for cooling. Kim
 
Well, I did buy a new in the box set of .30 over high compression pistons cheap last year. Been waiting and watching for the right block to come along. Hmmm, I may have to call him.
 
It depends on how much he filled it, to the top of the freeze plugs?
The freeze plugs are very close to the bottom don't see the benefit if it's not filled up to the bottom of the water pump passage, and It's not really streetable. Also you need to run very wide clearances, piston to wall.
 
The ad didn't say if it was to the top or bottom of the freeze plugs. I'm thinking I may have to give him a call tomorrow morning and see what the deal is with it.
 
For 150$, it might be worth the ride over just to see whatever he has. Bring some calipers and check tolerance. I try and go check out lots of stuff listed for mopar, even if I have no real interest. Usually when I see more iron in the background! As a matter of fact, I found a dude with a bunch of cool shaat that way. When I got there, he had a 67 dart gt 383 and a 70 RR, along with about a dozen big blocks and a half a dozen 340s.
 
brian6pac said:
It depends on how much he filled it, to the top of the freeze plugs?
The freeze plugs are very close to the bottom don't see the benefit if it's not filled up to the bottom of the water pump passage, and It's not really streetable. Also you need to run very wide clearances, piston to wall.
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I`d go look at it in a heartbeat, and I`m not really in the hunt for one.
The piston/type, and intended usage will dictate how much clearance u need.
You need to check it out, especilly if it has been run since the bore and hone to .030 . A partial block fill wont hurt if u can keep it cool.
 
famous bob said:
I`d go look at it in a heartbeat, and I`m not really in the hunt for one.
The piston/type, and intended usage will dictate how much clearance u need.
You need to check it out, especilly if it has been run since the bore and hone to .030 . A partial block fill wont hurt if u can keep it cool.
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My buddy ran a filled block and the problem was the cyl stay cold and the pistons get hot, this was a drag car and he ran .008 clearance and scuffed the pistons and walls he kept opening it up till I think he was running .012 before they stopped scuffing.
 
At $150 he is selling something that is probably junk? Don't know if I would take the risk? But hey! It's not my money.
 
brian6pac said:
My buddy ran a filled block and the problem was the cyl stay cold and the pistons get hot, this was a drag car and he ran .008 clearance and scuffed the pistons and walls he kept opening it up till I think he was running .012 before they stopped scuffing.
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So if I'm understanding this correctly, you want a minimally bored block to keep sufficient wall thickness?
 
They said it has main studs and been line honed, the deck trued to the crank centerline and has been grooved for o-rings. And comes with pro gram engineering main caps. That the only reason its for sale is a change in mind for the direction they are going with the build. Its been hard filled to the freeze plugs. I can definitely see 72Dart6pack where one should be cautious as it seems to good to be true. I don't know enough about blocks built like this to know what is right or good deals on them. I have never used a filled block.
 
No one puts that much time, effort & money into a block to sell for $150. Just saying. Think twice about this.
 
72Dart6pack said:
No one puts that much time, effort & money into a block to sell for $150. Just saying. Think twice about this.
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I can definitely see what you are saying. And I wouldn't want to put a ton more money into it from here just to have catastrophic failure because of part of the block running too cold while something else is running too hot. I just don't want to pass on a potentiality great deal if it's legitimate. I have to at least give him a call and ask some questions on it. If it feels shady or iffy from there then definitely I'll pass on it. But like we all know, if it's too good to be true it probably is.
 
Several years ago I bought a half filled fully machined, .055 over 440 block that got dropped. They had the broken piece welded back on but the owner didn't want it. They were going to scrap it. I paid $50 for it.
So there are super deals out there.

I say buy it.
 
Penstarpurist said:
So if I'm understanding this correctly, you want a minimally bored block to keep sufficient wall thickness?
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I would buy it, but look it over good it could be cracked somewhere.
The main caps are worth more than that.
What I'm saying is the cyls stay cold and they don't expand but the pistons expand and will be to tight in the bore if you don't have enough clearance.
 
Okay. I understand that now. Makes sense they need to expand together. So then, is it the bore size that determines how it will or want expand? The amount of fill or lack of? Would I be safe to assume if I looked it over and dont see any obvious damage that I should still have it magnafluxed?
 
I conversed with the owner gal. They are hardcore car people. Have a couple cudas and some 60's cruiser. Sounds like the block is legit. Downside is someone else beat me to be the first to check it out. Well if they show up, as she did advertise it on flakeslist. And 8/10 people dont follow through on it. I may have a good chance at getting it. And checking out some cool mopars. And of course look the block over.
 
TheGrateRonzini said:
For 150$, it might be worth the ride over just to see whatever he has. Bring some calipers and check tolerance. I try and go check out lots of stuff listed for mopar, even if I have no real interest. Usually when I see more iron in the background! As a matter of fact, I found a dude with a bunch of cool shaat that way. When I got there, he had a 67 dart gt 383 and a 70 RR, along with about a dozen big blocks and a half a dozen 340s.
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Where those 340 blocks for sale? I'm in the market for one,not having much luck so far here in NY
 
scampy said:
Where those 340 blocks for sale? I'm in the market for one,not having much luck so far here in NY
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There is a 340 block for sale in my area, but it's got the pistons locked up in the cylinders. No heads, intakes, pan, etc. And he is asking $700. Its a 1972 block. I have been keeping an eye on the ad. I'm wanting to pick up a 340 to put in my wifes car, if I can get it down to $500 I would grab it up.
 
Penstarpurist said:
Okay. I understand that now. Makes sense they need to expand together. So then, is it the bore size that determines how it will or want expand? The amount of fill or lack of? Would I be safe to assume if I looked it over and dont see any obvious damage that I should still have it magnafluxed?
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I don`t think a block only filled to the bottom of the freeze plug holes will have a cool cyl. anyway, water can still circulate in most of the cyl. where all the power is made.
A block filled to bottom of the holes would be stouter w/ a girdle , it would help stabilize the main studs.
READ UP ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN A 2 BOLT BLOCK W/ BIG H.P. !~
 
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