440ci Magnum Build

[The Cuda Guy]

 

[Carlwalski]

I use the Street Dom Mostly & yes it is lower & yes the carb will bolt on

Awesome, thank you!

[Chryco Psycho]

 

[Carlwalski]

I just talked to my engine builder and he said cost wise I'm looking at around $4,000 to do this (camshaft change, valve job, install)!?!? Does that sound fair? He said despite how easy some may make it out to be online, it's not as simple as just changing out a cam. Funny thing is, he built my Dad's 340 (we sold it later on) but he fully rebuilt that for $6,500 (we got all the pistons, cam etc) but $6,500. So for $2,500 less, it's a camshaft change. Although dollar rates don't count here as $4,000 is $4,000 to me, it works out around $2,700 USD but as I said, it's still $4,000 for me. He's good at what he does but shlt! I'm going to get a few more quotes........LOL

[bb71challenger]

thats insane! cam and lifters, gasket set, timing chain set. What else do you need? Even with maybe buying roller rockers and pushrods you should come in way under that amount.

[Carlwalski]

thats insane! cam and lifters, gasket set, timing chain set. What else do you need? Even with maybe buying roller rockers and pushrods you should come in way under that amount.

Just to confirm, parts are on top of that (at my expense). That price is for install only.

That works out at around 66 hours @ $60 hourly rate (around 8 days).

[Strawdawg]

Ridiculous price.

why does it need a valve job?

Send Sledge a ticket....that and a few XXXX's and I bet he will consider it a vacation and do it for nothing.

[Chryco Psycho]

Fly me over , a typical cam swap takes maybe 8 hrs + a bit to change springs

[The Cuda Guy]

Fly me over , a typical cam swap takes maybe 8 hrs + a bit to change springs

Probly save you about 2k by flying Neil out there!

Don

[Carlwalski]

LOL thanks guys, I'm not as clued as you guys with engines but even I knew that price was HIGH. Just about fell over when he quoted me. I'll keep searching, at least now I know it takes around 10-12 hours MAX for someone with good skill to do it. How the f%#k did he get 65+ hours!?!??! Thanks again lads, you guys kick ass.


 

[Chryco Psycho]

glad to help as always 

[Carlwalski]

Yeah, by the sounds of it perhaps. But down here, things are supply and demand, not every day a shop gets Mopar engines to work on and each are different. Talking to other guys, it's the norm for a full engine rebuild. Labor is the killer, unfortunately. But, yo are right, I'm getting other quotes at this very moment.

[RT Dude]

    
Soooooooooooo, are the "old" 440 parts up for sale bud.  (whistle noise)    I could be keen.
BTW, Ive got a complete 73-440 engine and 727 trans sitting here if you want to keep the numbers engine all together and build a separate engine for Lucy

[Carlwalski]

   
Soooooooooooo, are the "old" 440 parts up for sale bud.  (whistle noise)    I could be keen.
BTW, Ive got a complete 73-440 engine and 727 trans sitting here if you want to keep the numbers engine all together and build a separate engine for Lucy

Really? Anything done to the 440? Price? I'd only be keen on the 440 at this stage although Dad needs a TF727 for behind the 540, not just yet though and I'd have to talk to him about it. Having said this, doing the camshaft only, I'm ore than happy keeping the #'s block, nothing wild done to it so no concern. LOL I keep anything off that car sorry, even the ugly ass original trunk wing lol

[moper]

"As I stated, the larger foot on a mopar lifter allows for a more aggressive ramp design which in turn allows for more area under the lift curve.  This is fact.  I can only assume that you did not read the sentence where I stated that I did not know if Comp modified their lobe designs to take advantage of this larger foot, or not."
taken from Cuda Guy's post...

Comparing the 60303 Lunati, and the XE274H from Comp.. The comp's lobes pack more duration into smaller lift. More at .050, and more at peak lift, and in a shorter overall lobe. This can only be accomplished by a faster rate of lift. It should also be noted that Comp's XE line is configured for the GM lifter diameter. The XE-HL series lobes are Mopar .904 lifter designs and are slightly faster than the XE lobes... The XE's (aka Chevy lobes) are already faster than Lunati's in the same lift range. The HL series are a bit faster than the XE series the same lift range. There's published hype, and fact. These are facts. Anotehr fact is Comp's also $200 cheaper comparing apples to apples.

Also, I read the stock head gaskets are .020. That is true. But most shops will use the major gasket manufacturer's rebuild kits and those gaskets are from .043-.055" thick compressed. Order the MP thin head gaskets to get a little more static ratio out of it. Neither of those cams need that extra ratio, and it means pulling both heads during the job. A cam sawp in an Ebody with no AC should be about 6.5 hrs with cam break in for a professional shop. With AC add a couple hours to evacuate and the recharge the AC system and r&r the compressor and condensor.