440 build for a tow rig/"muscle" truck?

I already got the pistons and the block was bored, honed and light cleanup cut on the decks. I'm using Icon forged pistons which will be below deck at TDC, been a minute since I ran through the calculations but my compression will be right around 9:1 with the Stealth heads. I considered the Sealed Power pistons that are copies of the old TRW forgings but they're just too damn heavy to me. Between the moderate compression, having aluminum heads instead of iron, high-flow water pump and thermostat and a nice aluminum radiator, heat buildup should be kept under control.

If I go with a custom-grind roller cam I will likely reach back out to Jim at Racer Brown. He ground the hyd roller cam currently in the 360 in my Duster a few years back and it's awesome, I couldn't be happier with how it performs.


I would be very careful with the compression for a tow engine. Make sure to talk to your cam grinder and get dynamic compression figured out for your combo. 440's can be detonation prone with the big bore.

Aluminum heads will help, and hopefully they have the spark plug better located. I wouldn't spend the money on a roller set up but it is your checkbook not mine.