440 Upgrade update...

[gafletch]

 . Thanks for the input, guys. I'm still learning. Let me give some more info...
I bought a pair of Edelbrock heads, 84cc.   Gonna go with another hydraulic flat tappet cam.
So I have a 440, .40 over, Ross pistons, Doug's headers, M1 with a 750 Holley, 410 Dana, 30" MT tires.
Neal helped with cam suggestions; thanks bro. I may go to an 850 carb too.
  Q.  Assuming I have flat top pistons, how will they work with these heads?

[Chryco Psycho]

A flat top piston will nto interfere with the heads at all , Ross should have valve reliefs but I have seen the reliefs not line up with the valves on Eddy heads so be careful with interference there .

[gafletch]

Thanks, Neal. Let you know.

[gafletch]

Any suggestions on head gaskets for these  84cc heads? I've heard the Felpro 1009 is good.
Also I've decided to wait on the cam upgrade. This Lunati .484 sounds great for a street car.  Thanks.

[hemiken]

Do yourself a favour and buy a set of Cometic head gaskets, try to order a set at .020 thick, it will get the compression up a little bit better and you will not have any issues. Just make sure the pistons to not come out of the block, otherwise you will have to rethink what thickness of head gasket you will need.

[Chryco Psycho]

 I agree with Cometic when using alum heads

[gafletch]

My Mopar mechanic is swamped.  Got a hot rod guy who may get to my motor in a few weeks. Yeah, I know, we've heard that before...
Anyway, he suggests new lifters when replacing heads. It's a Lunati flat hydraulic cam so which lifters would you suggest?  Thanks, Greg in Ohio.

[Chryco Psycho]

so what needs to be done ? machining or just assy .
 if the old lifters were run in on that cam I see no reason to replace them , if you do replace them you need to get Johnson lifters , nothing else , they are sold under different brand names .

[gafletch]

   Just assembly, Panama Neal.   [If lifters aren't needed i can return them.]  He's also gonna replace the timing chain cover with a chrome one, check the chain, install an electric fan on the radiator, check the cam lobes, and check for a weak ground [my lights dim when my turn signals blink].
 
OR,  he has a friend who wants to sell a 600hp 440 for $4,000.  Don't know the details but it's outa my budget [unless he traded for my 410hp 440 and boot]. And I can't pass a petrol station as it is with my ten gallon fuel cell, lol.  I get 7-8 mpg.  A 600hp beast would get less, I'm sure.  [But it sure would be sweet!!].  Greg

[Chryco Psycho]

The headlights would benefit using relays & taking the power fromt he battery instead of running it inside the car through the switch & out to the headlights , Electric fans can be a killer , not enough air moved with them & huge power draw from the alt , Make sure the alt can keep up with the load .
 I could always fly up & we could assemble the engine !!

[gafletch]

Ha,ha!  Yeah but your wife would kill me 'cause I'd keep you busy for weeks!

[gafletch]

So I have a good mechanic doing  the work on my 440. We went with the Lunati Voodoo hydraulic flat tappet cam, lifters, timing chain set.  Went from a  .480 to .517-.537 lift. RPM heads and intake, chrome chain cover, new water pump, all installed so far. Had to unbolt left motor mount to get the header back on. Used "Aluminex" to clean and brighten the radiator back up. Might be finished by Tuesday or Wednesday. Got my fingers crossed that the flutter at 5 thou rpm is gone and the hp goes up.
       Neal, thanks for your input!   Greg.

[dfrazz]

So I have a good mechanic doing  the work on my 440. We went with the Lunati Voodoo hydraulic flat tappet cam, lifters, timing chain set.  Went from a  .480 to .517-.537 lift. RPM heads and intake, chrome chain cover, new water pump, all installed so far. Had to unbolt left motor mount to get the header back on. Used "Aluminex" to clean and brighten the radiator back up. Might be finished by Tuesday or Wednesday. Got my fingers crossed that the flutter at 5 thou rpm is gone and the hp goes up.
       Neal, thanks for your input!   Greg.

Cant wait to see a pic and maybe a video of that beast running!!   

[gafletch]

A friend recommended copper header exhaust gaskets. We used silicone sealer but they leaked.
We bought some FelPro gaskets but the openings were too small. I'll try again tomorrow to find some that work.
One parts guy, a motorcycle racer, said he heated copper gaskets with a torch then put them in cold water. This made them softer so they seal better.  ??

[roadman5312]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/php-66036/applications/make/dodge/engine-size/7-2l-440