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  #1  
Old 12-16-1999, 11:12 PM
jarretCharger72 jarretCharger72 is offline
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Thinkin of just scrappin the 400 as it has low compression and it would be a hassle getting cranks put in, and doing the normal BS work to it. Plus, the torque is prolly lacking a bit
I found a 440 out of a 68 w/ 10:1 compression for $750 minus carb. Is this a good deal? I assume its in good shape and may just need a 3 angle valve job and some 1.81 exhaust valves and leave the intake valves the same? Depending on what this costs, I may just get a new set of heads. With a bigger exhaust/intake valves. A .509 cam seems also to be a necessity/
At this point I just want to avoid unnecessary machine shop labour costs as I do not have the tools and budget is limited.
Your thoughts would be appreciated
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Old 12-16-1999, 11:26 PM
River River is offline
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i guess it'd depend on how much of a hurry you're in i poked around all summer kinda keeping my eye out for the perfect deal. finally, in october, i found a parts car for 4500, after adding up all the reciepts(which were dated may,99. i found that i got $9600 worth of new parts from it, including a 520 horse 440 with 8 miles on it. patience paid off big time i personally wouldn't pay more than a few hundred for a regular motor if it needed anything at all. with the exhaust valves, you might as well get intakes too, along with seals and gaskets. then since the heads are off, might as well check the rings, and from there it turns into a full blown money pit. well, i know MY projects always seem to go that way LOL
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Old 12-16-1999, 11:27 PM
Dart Dart is offline
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River - You are right on. Sounds a little high to me also. Prices have gone up lately, but not that high.

You will want to check the compression before you buy it. Any idea on the miles?

You have a good plan though. Remeber that the heads on the '68 motor will not have hardened valve seats. You should acquire a set of 452 casting heads, as they have the hardened seats for today's pump gas. Get those redone, slap the 509 in, get headers, intake, carb, converter, trans, gears and you're flyin'!!

[This message has been edited by Dart (edited December 16, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Dart (edited December 16, 1999).]
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  #4  
Old 12-17-1999, 12:53 AM
scamp scamp is offline
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Too much. The standard is about a buck an inch around my neck of the woods. I could sell you several 440's for that price.
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  #5  
Old 12-17-1999, 02:53 AM
jarretCharger72 jarretCharger72 is offline
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Things could get costly with getting the heads done. I have seen NEW heads from AeroHead 440 $599/pair including: 452 Casting, 3 angle valve job, Aero Maxx 2.14X and 1.81 stainless valves, .509 lift springs, seals (hardened hopefully), locks, and retainers. Bronze wall valve guides and diamond honed.
Is this a good deal?
If getting the stockers done will be cheaper, I'll go that route, but i haven't the time or resources to do it myself.
Antone here from the Philadelphia are w/ a rec. for a good parts shop?
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  #6  
Old 12-17-1999, 06:56 AM
Larry S. Larry S. is offline
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That's to much for a 440. I just sold a 440 complete from pan to carb, with a 727 torqueflite (running) for $600.00, and it took me about 6 months to sell it at that price.
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  #7  
Old 12-17-1999, 07:18 AM
jarretCharger72 jarretCharger72 is offline
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Prolly jsut gonna build it from the shortblock on up to get it right the first time out i/s of getting a complete motor, which has god knows how many miles on it.
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  #8  
Old 12-17-1999, 08:05 AM
DartGT66 DartGT66 is offline
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If you have to rebeuild the short block, I think the price is too high. Unless the engine is in extremely good condition. If you have to change the pistons, you can as well pick up a later 440 for less money. Anyway, I would change the rodbolts and have the big ends resized in any engine with the .509" cam, just for sure. The advertised compression ratios seem to be on the high side, always measure the head cc's and how deep your pistons are in the hole in the TDC, you may get surprised. The Aerohead 2.14/1.81 heads have the right parts and the rebuild done. I think they are a good deal. However, check your piston height first and have them mill the heads for correct size chambers for the CR you want. I also highly suggest that you either let them posket port the heads (~150$), or do it yourself. These heads have the bigger valves, but the bowls have not been opened. As they are they do not flow any better than a stock head with the 2.08/1.74 valves.
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