brock
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Post by brock on Nov 19, 2008 1:34:34 GMT -5
Yeah Ak - cept the last blocks were a thinner casting. Many say the 78s are thinwall; but I've heard that the thinwalls started in 76 too. A moot point really for all but the most extreme builds.
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Post by hotrodder on Nov 19, 2008 19:19:41 GMT -5
The better blocks are the HP and HP2 blocks...... The later blocks are usually a thin wall casting. Some of the northern blocks have better block reinforcements (as far as cast in webbing on the outside of the block)...... Not all 440 blocks are the same. Now with all that being said, unless your planning on making a monster out of this motor, as long as the block is in good shape, it should do just fine for you. Just a general build, I would micropolish the crank, check the rods for trueness (have ARP bolts installed), and use a flat top type piston. Clevite bearings (and yes, replace the cam bearings), use a double roller timing chain and whichever cam. This would be a nice start to a rebuilt 440 for a driver on the street. I say run flat top pistons, based on the fact that you will probably have to have the block bored .030 over.....
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Post by dogbert22 on Nov 19, 2008 22:35:54 GMT -5
Hotrodder makes some very good suggestions. I do not want to start on the "Thinwall Wars" for 440 blocks but like the commentary on the issue on 440Source.com. I think they'll all work fine for a street motor with a 030 overbore. If you're buying a used RV block they probably haven't (although you can't be certain) been rebuilt yet, so .030 over should be all that's needed and I really think they all can handle that.
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Post by quapman on Dec 2, 2008 19:30:35 GMT -5
I recall that the RV heads are taller than regular BB heads and therefore, an aftermarket intake could not be used. I'd assume that they'd have tiny valves also. The RV motor is probably low compression, but that may have to do with the heads, too. The block itself should fit in a B-body with no problem. As far as wall thickness, I'm going to stand mute on THAT one!
Steve
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2008 20:23:45 GMT -5
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brock
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Post by brock on Dec 2, 2008 21:31:31 GMT -5
Good reading there Tom Thanks for the link
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Post by quapman on Dec 3, 2008 16:52:48 GMT -5
I bet the walls in the RV BODY are pretty thin. Maybe that's what they meant.
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714ger
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Post by 714ger on Dec 4, 2008 0:49:45 GMT -5
Good stuff, Tom. Thanks
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Post by akbillybow on Jan 7, 2009 22:42:15 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the help. I have just found a 440 block, heads, crank, and intake listed locally. I am trying to arrange to look at it in the next day or two.
Can anyone tell me the weight of a 440 block? Can two men lift it from the ground to a pick-up bed, or is it too heavy for that? I think I remember reading a crank was in the 100# range...so that would probably make the block too heavy for 2 people to lift.
Sorry for the "silly" questions...still trying to learn all this unfamiliar engine info.
Thanks,
AkBillyBow
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brock
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Post by brock on Jan 8, 2009 16:31:55 GMT -5
The crank is not that heavy. One man can carry a stripped bare block (no crank or pistons). A big man. On the other hand - my brother & I could not push a dressed fully assembled 440 on a 4 wheel dolly up a moving van ramp
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