I think I screwed up...

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Ok I have a situation regarding my engine build.  I have a 73 440 I had the short block done years ago for a Ramcharger project I had at the time.  Balanced stock crank, KB Hypereutectic pistons with a quench dome and 452 heads.  I never put the heads on or finished the engine and it's been sitting for years.  Since the original work, I've picked up a set of Edelbrock 84cc heads that I planned on using.  I just went to test fit them and noticed the quench dome sticks out of the block about .050.  The Eddy heads are flat in that area meaning no room for the dome,  even with the Fel-Pro gasket in place.  I test assembled one head and gasket with a piece of clay on the quench dome and it got smushed almost totally flat.  I couldn't get any thickness measurement off it.  Next step is plastigauge but I KNOW that is far too close for comfort. 

I'm frazzled right now because I was planning on having this all running and broken in for Carlisle.  Now I'm thinking of pulling the pistons and having the quench dome machined off.  But that will throw off the balance job.  A new set of pistons would do the same.  The 452 heads are no longer an option.  I'm putting this out there in case someone has an option I'm not thinking of, or to simply reassure me that I am indeed screwed and need to start over.  Thanks in advance!

[72cudamaan]

Yep, ya screwed up. Or find another set of iron heads to use.

[Strawdawg]

Yep, two options...do something about the pistons, or use an open chamber set of heads....

[422STROKER]

While not ideal they do make some thick head gaskets.

Tom

[spitnl]

Several options:
-Have the KB pistons milled to get the correct quench distance
-New pistons
-Look for some open chamber heads.
-Swap the 84cc Edelbrock heads for 88cc Edelbrock heads
-Use a thicker head gasket.

Swapping might be the cheapest, if you didn't purchase them that long ago, but no absolute certainty it's going to fit.
Last option is the most easy and cheap, I reckon.
Best option, IMHO, is to have the pistons milled.


Frederick

[Chryco Psycho]

I would just use a set of cometic gaskets , available up to .080 or even .100 thick
they seal better on alum heads anyway 

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I found a set of less than perfect open chamber iron heads that were redone recently.  It will run, but not as nice as I had hoped.  The main goal being to score some 88cc Eddys at Carlisle and replace later.  The 84's will go in the parts bin for the next 440 project that I will build PROPERLY this time!

I couldn't mill the pistons since the whole rotating assembly was balanced based on their weights.  If I machine off a few grams from each piston, I'm back having it rebalanced.  I looked at the Cometic gaskets but they are new to me.  Are they REALLY that good to justify the price?  A pair in the 80-100 thou range I'd need cost more than the heads I just put on!

Unfortunately time is of the essence with this build.  I have the top of the engine done and am now tackling the front.  My friends are helping out with the Keisler conversion.  Hopefully I can show off my shoddy workmanship at Carlisle.  Again, thanks for the input!  Clearer heads prevail. 

[Challenger6pak]

I would just use a set of cometic gaskets , available up to .080 or even .100 thick
they seal better on alum heads anyway

[Chryco Psycho]

it will run fine with the iron heads & quench dome
A few years ago we swapped a set of 84 cc Eddys that I had ported to clean up the poor casting quality for a set of the iron ported I ron heads that I had done , the eddys resulted in a whopping 2 rwhp gain over the iron heads on the mustang dyno .
 I would recommend using a true dome piston with the eddys to offset the heat loss to the alum for best results