what year 440 block is the best and why?

[CUDA8U]

i have reading different things on the net and it seems we have some real pro's here so i'm thinking i'll get a str8 and informative answer

[HP2]

Any year actually. While there are a large number of myths and mis-information out there, most have been disproven. Good read here: http://www.440source.com/blockinfo.htm

[GranCuda1970]

   Good data and they had a pic of my 69 440 E block. So basically they are all the same cept for internals.

[Cooter]

Agreed, I use to buy into the old addage that the early blocks were the ones to have, but not anymore. I have TWO 440 engines that run hot constantly..The later model 440 (1974), runs 180 all day long without problems.

The old "HP"Myth has sold a many a engine at top dollar and it don't amout to a hill o beans...

[Chryco Psycho]

As said above any of the blocks are good , I would have any block sonic tested to to make Sure there is no core shift problems . I would avoid the early blocks without the extra casting rib @ headbolt depth on the outside of the block .
I have seen later blocks with .300 wall thickness on the outside wall where the piston pushes hard on the cylinder

[polarbear123]

 
A friend of mine has an early 440 without the rib and it cracked exactly where the rib was placed in later years.

[ChallengerHK]

So 440source makes a great case for the equivalency of most 440 blocks. I've heard the same year-based arguments about 340s. Are they really equivalent too, or are the earlier 340s really better/thicker-walled that the later blocks?

[Cooter]

Don't know bout the 340's, but i do know I messed around with a 1975 360...Bored it .040 and cracked a cylinder...One of the few Small Blocks i ever fooled with too...

On the other hand, a friend successfully bored an early (1967-68) 318 .125 over and it still runs today in a drag car. So, I guess you really don't know till you actually sonic check the block...