440 build for a tow rig/"muscle" truck?
I hope it's not an issue since this isn't about an A-body but this is still the best place by far to ask any Mopar-related tech questions. I have a 1972 D200 pickup with a good-running 360 but after towing my Duster to the track and back 120 miles away up and down the front range of Colorado on I-25 I realize I want more power. I could get good results swapping in a 5.9L Magnum, overdrive trans and 4.10 gears but I've been jonesing to build another big block and this seems like the perfect application. Current 360 already has 4-bbl intake and carb and longtube headers and does great with lighter loads but it struggles to pull a 5000-lb trailer up a steep grade at 65 mph (speed limit is 75).
The truck is a regular cab long bed and 2WD with a full-floating Dana 60 rear end that has 3.54 gears and a 727 transmission which I will probably stick with for cost reasons (I know I'll need a BB 727). The idea of swapping in a manual is appealing but AFAIK the only one that readily bolts up is the old NP-435 which is basically a 3-speed plus granny gear. Truck weighs about 4600 lbs empty with me in it. I'm leaning towards a 440 with Stealth heads (costs the same as having iron heads machined and new hardware installed) and bumping up the compression to around 9-9.5:1 since I'm at high altitude. However I'm not sure what off-the-shelf pistons would get me that ratio and I also need to keep the quench distance either greater than .125" or less than .045" otherwise it'll be MORE prone to pinging. Also looking for recommendations on a cam, I'm leaning towards a Lunati Voodoo 256/262 but not set on it. For intake I'm thinking Edelbrock RPM, and I was thinking of swapping the 750 cfm Street Demon from the 360 in my Duster to this engine, you guys think that would be too small? Any other thoughts welcome.
Oh and I know gas mileage will be terrible but it currently only gets 10 MPG unloaded anyway so I figure it can't get much worse, seems most guys with 440 Dodge pickups are getting 8-10 from what I see on bookface.
Here's some pics of my truck btw...
I hope it's not an issue since this isn't about an A-body but this is still the best place by far to ask any Mopar-related tech questions. I have a 1972 D200 pickup with a good-running 360 but after towing my Duster to the track and back 120 miles away up and down the front range of Colorado on I-25 I realize I want more power. I could get good results swapping in a 5.9L Magnum, overdrive trans and 4.10 gears but I've been jonesing to build another big block and this seems like the perfect application. Current 360 already has 4-bbl intake and carb and longtube headers and does great with lighter loads but it struggles to pull a 5000-lb trailer up a steep grade at 65 mph (speed limit is 75).
The truck is a regular cab long bed and 2WD with a full-floating Dana 60 rear end that has 3.54 gears and a 727 transmission which I will probably stick with for cost reasons (I know I'll need a BB 727). The idea of swapping in a manual is appealing but AFAIK the only one that readily bolts up is the old NP-435 which is basically a 3-speed plus granny gear. Truck weighs about 4600 lbs empty with me in it. I'm leaning towards a 440 with Stealth heads (costs the same as having iron heads machined and new hardware installed) and bumping up the compression to around 9-9.5:1 since I'm at high altitude. However I'm not sure what off-the-shelf pistons would get me that ratio and I also need to keep the quench distance either greater than .125" or less than .045" otherwise it'll be MORE prone to pinging. Also looking for recommendations on a cam, I'm leaning towards a Lunati Voodoo 256/262 but not set on it. For intake I'm thinking Edelbrock RPM, and I was thinking of swapping the 750 cfm Street Demon from the 360 in my Duster to this engine, you guys think that would be too small? Any other thoughts welcome.
Oh and I know gas mileage will be terrible but it currently only gets 10 MPG unloaded anyway so I figure it can't get much worse, seems most guys with 440 Dodge pickups are getting 8-10 from what I see on bookface.
Here's some pics of my truck btw...
