440 Block Question

[pikespeak3g]

Im a newbie, so forgive me if Iv posted in the wrong spot. I have a 440 stamped 2536430 + 1 on the side with the date 12/20/65. I know the 440 was introduced in 66 so this must be a very early block. My 2 questions are what does the 1 at the end of the casting denote and the heads I have are casting # 2406516 which makes them 361/383/413/426 64-67 heads. I cant find any casting numbers for a 440 until 67. Did they have 440 specific heads in late 65 into 66 or did they just throw on a smaller displacment head. I have the complete engine in a box and was thinking about a restoration. I really wanted to find out if its possible those are the heads it rolled out with. Thank you.

[zin]

Welcome to the board! Glad to have you here! Unfortunately, I don't think many of the board's population will have much info on the 440, at least not so far as casting numbers and such go. However, everyone here is pretty open minded and true "car guys" (and girls :p ), so we'll help as much as we can.

As far as whether or not the heads are original to the block, I'd look for a casting date on the heads, if it's close to the same date on the block, I'd say you have a very good chance that they are original. It makes sense for the factory to use an existing head, its much easier (and cheaper) to slap on an existing head, even if it's chambers are a little smallish for the engine size, after all that would just bump the compression (and HP), and in 65 that wouldn't be a big deal.

Hope this helps and I'm sure if anyone else has some info to add they will.

Mike

PS This post would likely be more appropriate in the "Dodge Motors - Heritage to Current" section. One of the Mods may move it for you.

[pikespeak3g]

Thanks Mike:thumb:

[turbovanman²]

Done.

Yeah, a few of us know older engines but this is most a 2.2/2.5 site so most people on here won't even know what a 440 is, :lol:

[Clay]

2536430 is the 1966-72 casting number for the 440 block. The -1 is the form number used for that casting. Molds are made from forms, then the block is cast in the mold. So this block was cast using form #1. They had LOTS of forms in use, this just gave them the ability to track which form was used should a problem arise.

as for the heads, they are ok heads. They are really 361/383 heads, but they will fit any RB block mopar. (except the hemi of course). Personally, if I were going to build the block I would find a set of bigger valve 906 castings. They have 2.08/1.74s where that head is a 2.08/1.60.

clay

[Marcus86GLHS]

Clay's right, the 906 casting is the best B/RB head Mopar ever manufactured and was included on all 1968-1970 383 and 440 engines.

also the best B/RB blocks were stamped with the letters "HP" on the machined surface by the distributor.......all of those blocks got the 906 casting heads.

[Clay]

The 452 casting is also very similar casting, and the only real difference is hardened exhaust valve seats from the factory.

Headporter at the shop i work at says the 452 (I think it was) actually outflowed the 906. Was a better head to work with for extreme portwork.

I have a set of 452 Hensley ported heads that were $ I got them for free as one head got trashed big time. They will be the templates for my new heads:)

[fleckster]

906 Heads are the muscle era performance heads. They are higher compression but did not have hardened valve seats. The 452 Heads are later model ('76-'78) heads. They are lower compression but had hardened valve seats. I remember reading that the 906 Intake ports flow better but the 452 has better exhaust flow. I personally like the 452 heads because they perform pretty well and a lot of people are looking for 906 and therefore discard the 452s so you can pick them up cheaper. (I have three sets of 452s)

[Scottmon]

Here ya go: http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/5115_cylinder_heads/index.html

[Directconnection]

Headporter at the shop i work at says the 452 (I think it was) actually outflowed the 906. Was a better head to work with for extreme portwork.

I have a set of 452 Hensley ported heads that were $ I got them for free as one head got trashed big time. They will be the templates for my new heads:)


Twice in one week (actually at all) that I hit edit instead of quote on someone else's post.:mad:

[The Pope]

noobs,, :nod:

The 915 is a close chamber head with the larger valves and ports of the 906, that is considered the best 440 head. People are weld up 906s to turn them into 915s or buy quench dome pistons. Then there is the max wedge which beats up all the 440 heads. As for a 452 head, anyone here ever port 440 heads? I've done lots and the only difference between a 452 and a 906 in the ports are the emission bumps. Cut them out and you have 906s. The chambers are BARELY larger and they don't hurt compression much. They also have hardened seats. They are not like a 2.2 head, they flash heat the cast to make them harder, any valve jobs eat through that.

As for the block, unless it is for a resto sell it. The 75 and later block is much stronger than the early blocks. Early 440s have steel cranks that absorb shock and they didn't need a strong block. The later 440s had a vibrating and twisting junk crank, so they had a strong block. Clearly a 440 with early guts and a later block is the way to go.:thumb:

[Scottmon]

As for the block, unless it is for a resto sell it. The 75 and later block is much stronger than the early blocks. Early 440s have steel cranks that absorb shock and they didn't need a strong block. The later 440s had a vibrating and twisting junk crank, so they had a strong block. Clearly a 440 with early guts and a later block is the way to go.:thumb:

Actually, the myth had been that the '76-'78 blocks were thin walled. AndyF on Moparts gathered a number of 440 vintage blocks from '66 to '78 and sonic tested them all. Results of the test were that basically the blocks were all good, and there were no good or bad blocks for any specifictime period. Mostly depends on how well the core was set up when they cast the block. So...if you're unsure about your block have it sonic tested at the machine shop and they'll be able to tell you how thick the walls are. http://www.arengineering.com/articles/sonicbig.html Blocks cast in '76-'78 did use slightly softer material than the earlier blocks though.

'73 and older forged cranks are preferred, but the cast cranks will be OK for a mild build. You can also add main studs if you like and there's a crank girdle made if you plan to push out more that 600 hp to keep from getting crank walk. http://www.moparts.com/Tech/Archive/bb/1.html

[Clay]

noobs,, :nod:

The 915 is a close chamber head with the larger valves and ports of the 906, that is considered the best 440 head.

Im not even going to read the rest of your post.

Dont call me a noob when you dont even know WTF your talking about.

906s came with 2.08/1.74 valves, 915s came with BOTH 2.08/1.60 and 2.08/1.74 valves depending on the engine. 915s are thought to have better exhaust porting stock than a 906, BUT when you have the smaller valve on the exhaust, which most 915s did, it negates that.

Ive been building/working on big block mopars longer than Ive even owned a FWD turbo mopar.

next.

[Clay]

As for the block, unless it is for a resto sell it. The 75 and later block is much stronger than the early blocks.

you really dont have any clue on this, do you?

[daytonaturbo87]

906s came with 2.08/1.74 valves, 915s came with BOTH 2.08/1.60 and 2.08/1.74 valves depending on the engine.

516's came with the smaller 1.6 exhaust valve, not the 915's. They 516 and 915 are both basically the same head, both are closed chambered, but the 915's got the bigger exhaust valve. Install a 1.74 exhaust valve into a 516 and voila, you have yourself a 915.

[Clay]

915s came both ways.

[Scottmon]

915s only came with the 1.74 exhaust valve on the '67 440 Magnums in the GTX and Coronet R/T and maybe Charger. Anyway, it was just the HP versions that got the large exhaust valves that year. The rest of the 915s have 1.60s.

[Clay]

915s only came with the 1.74 exhaust valve on the '67 440 Magnums in the GTX and Coronet R/T and maybe Charger. Anyway, it was just the HP versions that got the large exhaust valves that year. The rest of the 915s have 1.60s.

:nod:

[turbokid]

www.dodgecharger.com. They can answer about any 440 question you got as most of them build them proffessionally and prolly know everything you need to know.