Spyder
Well-Known Member
Dang, the cost of this is skyrocketing as I research. I went from "I want to put a cam and heads on my mostly stock 440" to a full stroker rebuild after finding magic sparkles in the oil last month. 
I dropped off a good '78 440 block at the machine shop yesterday and spent 45 minutes or so talking to him about the plan. It's just going to be a street engine, no racing, and no need or desire for wild power numbers. I'll be sticking with 27" tires and an automatic, want to stay on CA pump gas (91 octane is the highest that is easily available) and most driving will be around 3000 foot elevation. I want to avoid breaking other stuff as much as possible and obviously spend less than more while still having a good strong reliable engine.
I already bought Andy's book, and this will be my first real engine build so I'll be here with lots of questions along the way I'm sure.
440 Source 512 kit and Holley SD intake is the only thing I'm sure on so far.
Probably Edelbrock E-Street 84cc heads so I can keep my current exhaust setup that won't work with angled plugs(or if I can find a good discount to drop pricing some, RPM heads and TTI headers would be an option. I wouldn't even be opposed to Trick Flows if I can find discounts, but I don't really want to re-do my brand new exhaust I paid 1400 bucks for last year, and I don't really need them for the power levels I'm wanting to stay at)
Originally I was planning on just sticking a Lunati 704 cam in my old 440 but now I've talked myself into just going full roller, machine shop guy is going to recommend some but I'm open to suggestions. I assume Harland Sharp are the recommended rocker setup. Any other lower cost but still high quality options to look at? All the other small bits and pieces I've got a pretty good handle on as it's stuff I've done before. Oiling system, pan and windage tray, intake, front end accessories, etc. should all be pretty easy or stuff I've got in the garage already.
The block I picked up also came with a set of 906 and a set of 452 heads, and the 440 in the car now has 915s on it. I'll probably throw all three sets up for sale at some point, as I won't have much use for them moving forward.
I dropped off a good '78 440 block at the machine shop yesterday and spent 45 minutes or so talking to him about the plan. It's just going to be a street engine, no racing, and no need or desire for wild power numbers. I'll be sticking with 27" tires and an automatic, want to stay on CA pump gas (91 octane is the highest that is easily available) and most driving will be around 3000 foot elevation. I want to avoid breaking other stuff as much as possible and obviously spend less than more while still having a good strong reliable engine.
I already bought Andy's book, and this will be my first real engine build so I'll be here with lots of questions along the way I'm sure.
440 Source 512 kit and Holley SD intake is the only thing I'm sure on so far.
Probably Edelbrock E-Street 84cc heads so I can keep my current exhaust setup that won't work with angled plugs(or if I can find a good discount to drop pricing some, RPM heads and TTI headers would be an option. I wouldn't even be opposed to Trick Flows if I can find discounts, but I don't really want to re-do my brand new exhaust I paid 1400 bucks for last year, and I don't really need them for the power levels I'm wanting to stay at)
Originally I was planning on just sticking a Lunati 704 cam in my old 440 but now I've talked myself into just going full roller, machine shop guy is going to recommend some but I'm open to suggestions. I assume Harland Sharp are the recommended rocker setup. Any other lower cost but still high quality options to look at? All the other small bits and pieces I've got a pretty good handle on as it's stuff I've done before. Oiling system, pan and windage tray, intake, front end accessories, etc. should all be pretty easy or stuff I've got in the garage already.
The block I picked up also came with a set of 906 and a set of 452 heads, and the 440 in the car now has 915s on it. I'll probably throw all three sets up for sale at some point, as I won't have much use for them moving forward.
