Which Heads are Better???

[firefighter3931]

Greg, i was under the assumption you had a stock shortblock at your disposal ? What parts do you have available and what is the budget ? Are you going for the stock look....i had assumed so because you mentioned stock intake & stock HP manifolds as part of the criteria. 

Headers definately make more power and that would change the build somewhat. To get the most out of everything you need to match all the parts ; no point in headers if you plan to run the factory intake. 



Ron

[kycarnut]

Hey RON your right I do want to make the motor look stock. I will have about $3000 for the build and right now I'm trying to create a list of what it will take to build the engine I want(stock looking with 450hp). Then I will go out and find it all.  Other then a 68 date code intake I bought off eBay for 20 bucks I don't have anything else. That is why your advise is so valuable to me right now. I've never built a Mopar engine before and have NO ideal what will work and not.  . I'm counting on the experience of you guys to make it all come together. Thanks for the  Greg.

[FLG]

Would wait for Ron to chime in...

But im selling the rotating assembly from my 440 short block...all brand new stuff.

The pistons are flat top replacements which in your case would not work, or rather would not be ideal...but the cast crank and LY rods, and new set of lifters just might. If Ron says it will work and you want it ill let it go for cheap. All new never run stuff.

[firefighter3931]

Hey RON your right I do want to make the motor look stock. I will have about $3000 for the build and right now I'm trying to create a list of what it will take to build the engine I want(stock looking with 450hp). Then I will go out and find it all.  Other then a 68 date code intake I bought off eBay for 20 bucks I don't have anything else. That is why your advise is so valuable to me right now. I've never built a Mopar engine before and have NO ideal what will work and not.  . I'm counting on the experience of you guys to make it all come together. Thanks for the  Greg.

Greg, your best bet is to find a 68 440 core motor for the rebuild....it will have the correct looking harmonic balancer and steel crank. The rods can be reworked/reconditioned and all you need is a set of Speedpro 6-pack replacement pistons to complete the rotating assembly. With an open chamber head like the 452 your compression will be in the 9.3:1 range which is compatible with pump fuel. 

Would wait for Ron to chime in...

But im selling the rotating assembly from my 440 short block...all brand new stuff.

The pistons are flat top replacements which in your case would not work, or rather would not be ideal...but the cast crank and LY rods, and new set of lifters just might. If Ron says it will work and you want it ill let it go for cheap. All new never run stuff.

Normally I would say a cast crank is fine for that power level (and it is) but Greg is looking for a stock appearing "correct" 440 for his car. The thick harmonic balancer is a dead giveaway that the engine has a cast crank which would be "incorrect" for a 68 model car.

To me, function outweighs form...but that isn't the case for everyone. Personally, I would have no problem running a well machined/assembled cast crank shortblock in a 500hp street/strip type build. 



Ron

[FLG]

Yep i figured that...already sold the forged one.

Im same as you Ron, dont care what it is...if it looks good and works the same way it looks im all for it.

[71383bee]

Headers ALWAYS make a big difference.  Unless you are running in pure stock or trying to win judged shows I highly recommend them.