New 512 build planning

[Spyder]

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.

 

[Spyder]

In doing more research, the E-Streets don't work with the cam I want and the price difference in RPMs and Trick Flows is so close it doesn't make sense to not go Trick Flow. I was really trying to avoid having to buy a new set of headers though. Stupid costs keep rising...The TF would raise CR higher than planned, but I should be able to fine tune that with gasket thickness?

I did order the 440 Source kit yesterday though, so that's an exciting step!

 

[KlsCuda]

good times! enjoy the process and good luck with the build. Keep us updated with pics !

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Cometic gaskets are the best choice & available in various thicknesses .
I would go to Lunati for the roller cam ,
I am not a fan of Harland rockers , I prefer to use Stainless rockers with bushings such as PRW , the needle brgs reduce the surface contact to almost nothing & what a mess if the rocker breaks & needle brgs take off

 

[Cuda_mark]

I built a 440 Source 512 for my 70 Chally many years back. It had Edlebrock RPMs and a factory six pack setup. It was a great on the street...not the fastest set up but very driveable.

 

[Spyder]

Putting together a summit shopping cart to order hopefully early next week.

Which oil pump do you folks recommend? I'm seeing on 440 source they recommend high pressure rather than high volume for stock size oil pan which is what I plan to run. Or is a stock pump sufficient for a mild street stroker? The old motor has a high volume on it and I'm sort of wondering if sucking the pan dry like 440 Source said can happen is what I did with that one.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Melling High Pressure is what I would use

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

Putting together a summit shopping cart to order hopefully early next week.

Which oil pump do you folks recommend? I'm seeing on 440 source they recommend high pressure rather than high volume for stock size oil pan which is what I plan to run. Or is a stock pump sufficient for a mild street stroker? The old motor has a high volume on it and I'm sort of wondering if sucking the pan dry like 440 Source said can happen is what I did with that one.

I run a new Melling stock pump with the high pressure (black) spring. A lot depends on the bearing clearance you'll run. I got the 440 Source 512 stroker kit and my machine shop installed it. The oil pressure was too low for my liking. The Oregon Cam I run is a solid roller and they say to run a melonized intermediate shaft. I got the shaft from Hughes and they say to not run high volume/pressure pumps or it could damage the shaft. I talked to both Oregon and Hughes about this. Hughes ended up saying running reasonable (whatever that means) higher pressure would not damage their shaft. The inclusion of the higher pressure spring brought the oil pressure from 45 to 75 while highway driving. Did nothing for the idle pressure so likely my bearing clearance is a bit too wide but I'm not going to do anything about it now. I did not do this (trusted the kit to have the correct clearances) but be sure to tell your machinist when assembling to check the clearances. If the clearance is out of spec go back to 440 Source and tell them to get you the correct bearings. A stock pump should produce at least the minimum pressure specified in the Chrysler service manual for your engine, and mine did not!

 

[Spyder]

It's coming along, with some expected snafus. Shipping issue slowed down some parts, had to send back and they should be in transit coming back to me now. I forgot to write down the cam specs but we went with a Comp roller at just under .530 lift at .05. Forgot duration, etc. Trick flow 240 heads, 440 source 512 kit with -27 .040 over pistons for just under 10:1 compression, 440 source billet timing cover, Harland Sharp rockers. Still need to order the oil pump and some other parts but need to sit down and go over what's here, what I can reuse, and what I need to order. (and what's going to be on credit card since I've already burned through the cash I set aside for the build)

Of course, I'm at least 50% over budget after deciding what the hell and going with TF heads instead of the Stealths, since now I need to change out the exhaust and may as well get the HS rockers. Buy once I guess.

Any reason not to go with the 440 Source water pump housing? It's more than a hundred bucks cheaper than anywhere else. I'm still hoping I can have it on the road in time for the big Redding show, Kool April Nights, as well as a couple others this spring and summer I'd like to make.

Weather is close to being good enough to uncover the Barracuda and start tinkering with it too. I'd like to at least rip out the interior (smells, has been wet) and temp-patch any rust I may find (but I don't expect much, if any), put the door on and glass in, and fix the brakes up so I can use it as a parts runner. I need to retire so I have time to mess with this stuff, but I need to work more so I can afford it!

 

[Spyder]

Oh yea, next puzzle will be valve covers. Recommendations on what will fit well and not leak? I hope my current cast aluminum ones on the old engine will fit the heads and rockers, because there's no distributor clearance issues with them and they haven't leaked yet, but just in case I'd like a backup plan.
Edit 1 (Currently searching and reading other threads on this so I'll probably find the answer over coffee this morning)
Edit 2 - Have seen these mentioned a few times and it looks like they're the ticket, I'll have TTI headers and am keeping my MSD distributor. DODGE Summit Racing SUM-440350 Summit Racing™ Diecast Aluminum Valve Covers | Summit Racing

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I would seriously pass on the HS rockers , PRW will work perfectly

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

It's coming along, with some expected snafus. Shipping issue slowed down some parts, had to send back and they should be in transit coming back to me now. I forgot to write down the cam specs but we went with a Comp roller at just under .530 lift at .05. Forgot duration, etc. Trick flow 240 heads, 440 source 512 kit with -27 .040 over pistons for just under 10:1 compression, 440 source billet timing cover, Harland Sharp rockers. Still need to order the oil pump and some other parts but need to sit down and go over what's here, what I can reuse, and what I need to order. (and what's going to be on credit card since I've already burned through the cash I set aside for the build)

Of course, I'm at least 50% over budget after deciding what the hell and going with TF heads instead of the Stealths, since now I need to change out the exhaust and may as well get the HS rockers. Buy once I guess.

Any reason not to go with the 440 Source water pump housing? It's more than a hundred bucks cheaper than anywhere else. I'm still hoping I can have it on the road in time for the big Redding show, Kool April Nights, as well as a couple others this spring and summer I'd like to make.

Weather is close to being good enough to uncover the Barracuda and start tinkering with it too. I'd like to at least rip out the interior (smells, has been wet) and temp-patch any rust I may find (but I don't expect much, if any), put the door on and glass in, and fix the brakes up so I can use it as a parts runner. I need to retire so I have time to mess with this stuff, but I need to work more so I can afford it!

The 440source wp housing works fine. I use the HS 1.6 roller rockers on my 512. As you assemble be sure to check the crank and rod bearing clearance. If not in spec fuss at 440source about it.

 

[Xcudame]

I agree with Chryco Psycho on the PRW rocker arms. Their kit comes with extra shims to place the tickets in the right position and are bushed (no bearings).

 

[Spyder]

I'd already hit order on all the parts by the time that came up... I'm still a couple weeks out from bringing the block home and putting it all together, so I'll do some more reading and thinking about swapping to the PRW.

I did just order the headers, which is the last expensive piece of the puzzle. Big box of parts came in the mail a couple days ago, with water pump and housing, oil pump and pan and windage tray, bunch of gaskets, priming rod, and most of the other small parts I'll need. It's getting close to taking a couple days off work to knock it out!

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

I'd already hit order on all the parts by the time that came up... I'm still a couple weeks out from bringing the block home and putting it all together, so I'll do some more reading and thinking about swapping to the PRW.

I did just order the headers, which is the last expensive piece of the puzzle. Big box of parts came in the mail a couple days ago, with water pump and housing, oil pump and pan and windage tray, bunch of gaskets, priming rod, and most of the other small parts I'll need. It's getting close to taking a couple days off work to knock it out!

It's going to be a fun project!