street 440 build?

[71chally416]

It would kinda throw up a red flag to me if a machine shop didn't have a deck plate. That would indicate he don't work on many Mopars.  

[hot440roddin]

Bad ting about it, is that there aren't many around here, I have heard of a shop a few hours north of me that supposedly does have the stuff to do everything with. Otherwise, just not sure. The guy even told me that they don't really get a lot of Mopar stuff in, therefor doesn't see the need in investing in something that they'd rarely would even use. The only three places around here that I'm aware of are limited to the stuff that they have, one place isn't worth a fuss, the place I checked out already, and then there's one of the local Car Quests. If I base it solely on deck plate availability, then I'm either gonna end up sinking a lot of money to ship a plate (Moper), or driving est 8 hours back and fourth to get the block honed with the plate. I do prefer to get it honed with the plate, but I know machine shops charge extra to machine with the plate.... I do have options, just got to figure out which one might be my best one..... In the mean time, I will continue to get the parts I need to do the rebuild, and when it comes time to bore the block over (may end up being the last thing done, machine work wise) then I'll make the final decision on the plate. After all, still need to get all the parts, figure out what all needs to be replaced, and what spec's to order, check the combustion chamber of the heads, replace the valve train on it to match with the cam, ect. I highly doubt that the block will be going to the machine shop tomorrow, lol. I will be going with brass plugs though. I'm wondering if there's anything I should get them to do to help increase the motors life since it's not a race motor, nor anything really close to a race motor... I've made up my mind on running the high pressure oil pump as suggested before, and will be running an aluminum high volume water pump with aluminum housing, and new aluminum radiator (summer shouldn't be a problem), also been thinking about running a Milodon 180*F thermostat for use with a hv wp. As for the valve covers, am really thinking about running the factory ones that are on there now, but am having a really fun time trying to find the correct PCV valve, went through three different ones, and can't anyone locally find the right one... May end up hunting up the set that came off a 69 Charger I used to have, sure those will work fine, and they still look new with the Hemi Orange paint...

[71chally416]

The shop that did my block work for decades before the owner retired (Precision Automotive in Pemberton NJ) that was owned by a true Chevy bowtie loyalist had both BB and SB Mopar deck plates even though they were just a small fraction of his buisness, but he never skimped on having the best equipment and tooling possible.   

[440mike]

you should look for a shop that has a deck plate for dodges if you want it done properly.
where i work we have plates for everything, 18 of them, and some i dunno what they are for ?

but at least i know we have sb and bb mopar regular bore, and bb hemi, and bb and hemi in the huge bore plates, as well as new hemi plates.
my boss wont do it unless he has a plate !
we are up in canada, to bad we are so far away from you !

[moper]

Another minor deal on the studs... use 140-5401. On the shop... a 4hr drive to a good shop is worth the time and fuel. Minimize the trips, but use a shop that can do the quality work and who takes enough interest in the quality to make the investment. It IS worth it in the end.

[hot440roddin]

Hmmm, then I will ask this question based on the assumption that Car Quest (local) want have a plate either, who knows of shops in GA, preferably in the south west, that has the required stuff? I want to say that there was a sop mentioned to me that's up in Macon I think, which is just south of Atlanta, Macon is roughly a 3 - 4 hour drive from where I'm at now. Then again, driving that ol' S10, might be 4 hour solid drive, truck doesn't like to get anywhere fast, will do 70, but it doesn't seem to like it, lol. So, I saw mention of Valdosta (MoparAL) which is just south of me, takes I guess 2 - 3 hours for the S10 to get there.... I need to call up Car Quest I guess and see what they have.

[hot440roddin]

Sorry for dragging this post up, but while surfing around e-bay out of boredum, I came across this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrysler-Mopar-413-426-440-engine-block-honing-plates_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dLVIQ26ituQ3dUCIQ26otnQ3d3Q26psQ3d6QQ_trksidZp4506Q2em7QQcategoryZ33613QQihZ007QQitemZ170409225862
And am wondering what your opinions is of this? Based on prices that I've heard of already, this one doesn't seem to be badly priced, or is it? I know I want to use this on my motor, but would it be the right one, and seeing how I want be building a bunch of these motors at all, would it be worth it?

[nqkjw]

Sorry for dragging this post up,

Don't be sorry.
I've found this thread extremely interesting

[Moparal]

Im in Cullman Al. You could either bring your block up here and I can have it all done for you, Or use my tq plate. It is a DC plate. they were 356 bucks back a few dozen years ago. I'd hate to loan it out and never see it again

[hot440roddin]

Moparal, I know all about "loaning" stuff out, and never seeing it again.... Maybe that's why I'm very hesitant about letting stuff get borrowed now. I wonder how far away you are from me.... I'm just outside of Albany GA.

[Moparal]

285 miles

[bb71challenger]

There is your answer imo. If I were a 4 hour drive away from Alan and he was offering to share his machinist and a deck plate I would be gone. I say take time to get absolutely everything you need and coordinate a trip. Probably take 2 trips but that is small potatoes when it comes to knowing something is done right. Good luck, this thread is interesting and I want it to end on a happy note     

[hot440roddin]

Best way for me to move this big ol' motor would be to strip is down to a long block, and I do mean even without an oil pan. When I brought it home on the back of the ol' S10, one the S10 hated me and parts of me thinks that it still doesn't care too much for me, lol. Anyway, when it was back there, it wanted to move around a bunch. I have had a 350 in the back of it in the past that I helped someone move, but it was a complete motor (like the 440) and was strapped down with about three ratchet straps.... The 440 didn't have any (didn't have any around to use at that time), plus I was pulling a fairly good sized tandem axle trailer (the S10 would fit up on it, lol). Real funny part was when I had that Duster on the trailer with the S10 was pulling it, I had a 361 i the bed during that too, lol. Only thing that I really have to say about that S10 is I'm glad it's got a manual tranny, lol. Anyway, I'd have to use this to run the motor back and fourth. Still on a parts hunt, along with resto parts for the car, but it's coming along. Piston manufactures don't seem to like to respond to e-mails so that's taking a little while too.

[hot440roddin]

True, but they do help, wouldn't you say? Being that this isn't a high line motor, I would like for it to have an advantage at being a reliable motor with some power in reserve should I want to use it.....

[bb71challenger]

I always thought of a deck plate as a basic fundamental of a quality rebuild. I personally would not use a shop that did not have one. Not such a big deal on a big block but imo its crucial to a good round bore on a small block.