My 440 build

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67Dart440GT

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Hey all, I picked up a 78 440 and thought I'd share my plans for it. Also would appreciate any feed back. The block should go to the machine shop this weekend or next.

I plan on using this stroker kit

Eagle 21202 BB Chrysler 440\/505 Stroker Competition Rotating Assembly Kit- 11.0:1 Mahle Flat Top Pistons

These heads
Edelbrock Performer RPM Cylinder Heads 60929

This cam

Howards, Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft, Chrysler BB 383-440, 224/234 @ .050, .518/.543, 112 LS - Competition Products

I will be running my set of Schumaker headers. What do you guys think? Looking for an intake and carb also. I'd like to keep a stock hood but a hemi scoop wouldn't be a bad look either.

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Make sure that block doesn't have a massive chamfer on the tops of the bores, my buddy had to buy 3 different blocks because the builder didn't like it.
 
Make sure that block doesn't have a massive chamfer on the tops of the bores, my buddy had to buy 3 different blocks because the builder didn't like it.

I actually noticed that this does. I looked at it tonight. I was wondering what that was about?
 
Let the shop make the decision, i think it had a lot to do with compression. You can always bore it farther to minimize it but that gets scary on a 440.
 
I noticed you can still lightly see a cross hatching in the bores. Also have been reading that you can run a bigger bore head gasket? I can talk to the machine shop but I will be assembling this myself.
 
Wait and if any cam experts chime in, my brothers little 408 he had a 248 @.050 roller cam and my 230@.050 was way more radical than his. Strokers are a different animal.
 
I think the camshaft is fantastic. Just because something doesn't have 250@ .050 or more duration doesn't mean it's a bad cam. That cam will pull your eyes out on the bottom end, have great street manners, have GOBS of vacuum to run power brakes and will idle in traffic forever. Run it.
 
I think the camshaft is fantastic. Just because something doesn't have 250@ .050 or more duration doesn't mean it's a bad cam. That cam will pull your eyes out on the bottom end, have great street manners, have GOBS of vacuum to run power brakes and will idle in traffic forever. Run it.
So one of my friends is a retired engine builder and said exactly what you just said. For the street he said it would be awesome. He is assisting me in planning this and suggested this cam.
 
I was thinking if your building a stroker at least make it run like stroker should, not a mild 440.
 
Don't sweat the chamfer. Some of it will be taken down by boring and decking, but in the grand scheme of things, it might drop your compression a tenth, maaaybe two? Use the affordable and very good fel-pro 8519 head gaskets (4.505 bore size) and no worries. The cam you listed is small for a stroker, especially at that compression ratio. I don't mean small as in 'weak', but small as in 'too much cylinder pressure'. If it's a streeter, why risk it for very little reward? You can make great torque and power without taking it to the edge. Personally...and this is just my opinion, but I'd look for a piston with some dish to it, then you can get away with a milder cam. The best thing at this point is to have a good heart-to-heart with your builder and be honest about your intended usage.
The thing about the later blocks (I'm currently building a '78 block into 505" myself) is the decks usually aren't square (not even close!). Have your machinist "square deck" it to get them the same height front to rear on both sides. It typically costs a little extra but it's well worth it!

(Mine's over on FBBO, good toilet reading if you're gonna be in there awhile:D)
New build. 505"
 
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