Author Topic: Thoughts on this 440?  (Read 1850 times)

Offline 73cudabr

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Thoughts on this 440?
« on: October 28, 2016 - 10:01:06 PM »
Hi Team,

As some of you may have read on another post I had a air cleaner stud make it's way into my engine. So i'm looking to rebuild with a stroker, or make a purchase. Was looking for thoughts or feedback on this build. May pick it up this weekend and and tear it down to inspect the internals, however seller claims it was done at a reputable shop, is a chevy guy, that was going to dabble in mopars, but sold the car he was going to put it into. It was built 6 months ago, has 3 miles on it, rotated weekly since pulled out. Gave me the name of the shop that built it, so I may call them for info, and see if they remember this build. That is if you guys thing the price is right.

http://columbia.craigslist.org/pts/5778033244.html





Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2016 - 10:21:35 PM »
As I posted in your other thread...  I think I'd let that one go... 3 miles on it? Why does it look like it came from a junk yard?  Photo 5 the area above the bell housing is pretty crusty... Add to that the fact it's a cast crank engine...  Not that a cast crank won't do the job buttttttt... If it was my $$ I'd keep looking.. :2cents:
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Offline 73cudabr

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2016 - 10:37:54 PM »
As I posted in your other thread...  I think I'd let that one go... 3 miles on it? Why does it look like it came from a junk yard?  Photo 5 the area above the bell housing is pretty crusty... Add to that the fact it's a cast crank engine...  Not that a cast crank won't do the job buttttttt... If it was my $$ I'd keep looking.. :2cents:

Appreciate the thoughts. I guess I'm envisioning myself driving my car again next weekend. These 75 degree sunny weekends have me itching to get back on the road. But thats why I like to get 9-10 opinions before I go and make a purchase. My thoughts were to pass it up. He claimed to have lost the dyno sheet when asked about it. (which to me most are emailed these days) I think the 3 miles was just a break in period perhaps on an engine stand? Seller claimed in an email that he sold the car he was building, and stripped it back down. He was also unsure of the Cam used in the build. Which to me is pretty important piece of information, and likely one you should have put thought into before dropping it in your car.

Also since I know very little about these things, I wanted some opinions from you guys. So thanks for chiming in.

Offline anlauto

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2016 - 10:47:04 PM »
Simple...ask him to warantee it for the next 300 miles.....if he agrees to a full refunds if it breaks, then you know he stands behind the build.

Otherwise, it might be worth it for the sum of the parts with a refresh in mind, but personally I would never buy a motor off of Joe Blow and expect I cold just drop it in and go... :2cents:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
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Offline rUNCHARGER

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2016 - 01:25:46 AM »
Hmm: Yeah, I'm not feeling it on that one. Not crazy about HE pistons anyway and it has a cast crank and unknown camshaft. The photos just don't give you a warm feeling either.

Sheldon

Offline Mustardbucket

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2016 - 08:32:04 AM »
Call the guys that built it or ask if you can see the bill, then you'll know. Quick compression test, scope it maybe?

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Offline dfrazz

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2016 - 11:30:12 AM »
I will be swapping out the 440 in my Charger with a 505 I bought and will be looking to sell the 440.  Stock engine with purple cam, iron heads, CH4B intake.  Where are you located? 

Here is a video of the 440 running:

https://youtu.be/cRglx-kAhTM

Offline 73440

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2016 - 11:52:15 AM »
I will be swapping out the 440 in my Charger with a 505 I bought and will be looking to sell the 440.  Stock engine with purple cam, iron heads, CH4B intake.  Where are you located? 

Here is a video of the 440 running:

https://youtu.be/cRglx-kAhTM

If 73cudabr you are not interested in this 440, I may be interested in it.
My brother lives in Evergreen and my 5 year old nephew loves cars and I would love to work with the two of them on a project.
67 440
72 413 / 727
73 Barracuda w/ 68 440
65 Plymouth Fury III , I sold ,was my Nana's car till 92 yo.
51 Ford F1 239 Flathead, flipped , new cab , stolen
59 BelAir 283 4 door original patina
01 Chevy van 420, 520 miles
06 Crown Vic Police Interceptor
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Offline 70chall440

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2016 - 12:33:37 PM »
my  :2cents:

It would be hard to build an engine for $5K with what this one supposedly has in it. I personally would do the following;

1. go and see the engine for yourself and talk to the owner.
2. try and get some type of guarantee that it at least isn't knocking or otherwise bad
3. negotiate as low a price as possible
4. buy a gasket kit, take it apart before installations and inspect the internals (make that a part of the guarantee; that nothing is broken and it is assembled correctly; just pull the heads, drop the pan and you should know/see everything you need to, maybe pop off one or a couple of bearing caps)
5. reassemble, install and have fun
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2016 - 01:53:09 PM »

Hey Frazz

What do you want for the 440?

B
1970 Cuda Clone 440 4 speed - sublime green
1970 Cuda 383 4 speed - yellow - SOLD

Offline dfrazz

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2016 - 02:55:40 PM »
Hey Frazz

What do you want for the 440?

B

I was thinking $2000, intake to pan including water pump and alternator.  I need the pullies and brackets though.

Offline 73cudabr

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #11 on: October 29, 2016 - 05:02:49 PM »
HI Guys - I'm in Raleigh NC. I appreciate the offer on the 440. However if I'm pulling mine, I sort of have my heart set on more cubes. Which is looking like a 440 source 512 stroker kit. Sounds like you may have a buyer lined up anyways!

70Chall440 - thanks for the tips. We were thinking of doing that if we went ahead and bought it. We priced him down to 4500.00 as his lowest offer, and said he'd toss in a 750 carb as well. I agree, that I think it's decent for the parts, but I believe that it would be a learning experience, and a good story to tell if I machine mine, and build it to how I want to drive.

Offline dfrazz

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2016 - 06:54:02 PM »
My brother lives in Evergreen and my 5 year old nephew loves cars and I would love to work with the two of them on a project.

I should have mine pulled within the next few weeks. PM me if your interested.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #13 on: October 30, 2016 - 12:17:59 AM »
HI Guys - I'm in Raleigh NC. I appreciate the offer on the 440. However if I'm pulling mine, I sort of have my heart set on more cubes. Which is looking like a 440 source 512 stroker kit. Sounds like you may have a buyer lined up anyways!

70Chall440 - thanks for the tips. We were thinking of doing that if we went ahead and bought it. We priced him down to 4500.00 as his lowest offer, and said he'd toss in a 750 carb as well. I agree, that I think it's decent for the parts, but I believe that it would be a learning experience, and a good story to tell if I machine mine, and build it to how I want to drive.

Enjoy, it can be a lot of fun as well as a bit frustrating trying to figure out what you want to do with all of the options available. I would recommend calling Mike at Muscle Motors and telling him what you want/expect the end result to be and he will guide you into a stroker kit that will produce exactly what you want. Take nothing away from the internet or even this forum, but there are so many opinions and experiences out there it can be a bot overwhelming. When I built my 340, I called him and he had some great advice and gave me a great deal on the kit itself. He has dyno numbers to prove what he says and is a great guy to talk to.

Good luck, the end result will be something you can be proud of.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline 73cudabr

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Re: Thoughts on this 440?
« Reply #14 on: October 30, 2016 - 09:01:44 AM »
Enjoy, it can be a lot of fun as well as a bit frustrating trying to figure out what you want to do with all of the options available. I would recommend calling Mike at Muscle Motors and telling him what you want/expect the end result to be and he will guide you into a stroker kit that will produce exactly what you want. Take nothing away from the internet or even this forum, but there are so many opinions and experiences out there it can be a bot overwhelming. When I built my 340, I called him and he had some great advice and gave me a great deal on the kit itself. He has dyno numbers to prove what he says and is a great guy to talk to.

Good luck, the end result will be something you can be proud of.

Thanks for the update. I agree. Lots of things out there to consider. Never hurts to talk to him. I'll likely pass his information over to my mechanic who knows this stuff more than me, and would be better suited for that conversation. This is sort of a learning experience for me. I waved the white flag last night as I couldn't get my header off on the driver side. So he's on his way over this morning. Likely need to undo a motor mount or 2. Once the engine is pulled and out of the car I'll spin up a new build thread so I can continue to get suggestions. Looking to have this done within the year, and bring out Cuda 2.0 for 2017. I"m really looking forward to it. I don't want to spend a bunch of money, but if it's getting a facelift its going to be done right, so whatever that takes.

I also have a brother with a gen 3, 383 stroker camero, another one with a 400 built trans am, and my dad has a 66 buick riv grand sport with a 425 nailhead. So at the next family cruise during the summer I'd like to make sure I'm the baddest car around. Don't think I'll have an issue with the experience I can tap into here. (and of course rewatching episodes of road kill garage/engine masters)