Flex plate question ,

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jul 11, 12 12:44 pm

If you start shopping at 440 source you will end up with a 500 inch stroked engine and a big credit card bill in no time.

1stpop · Post by **1stpop** » Wed Jul 11, 12 12:56 pm

we have been looking at a 500ci motor but from a more reliable builder.
im just miffed to why my engine ended up going tits up in less that 3 miles and not reved over 3.5k rpm.
rear of cam worn and both rear lifters , coupled with bent push rods in the past , this whole engine has been sent to try me , and looks like its won .
hence looking at this 440 now.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Jul 11, 12 12:56 pm

Sorry I assumed we were talking 440 flavour

So, is it still at 400 cubes? and the piston is .120 thou. down the bore? if so it will be very low compression and that .509 cam will not work at all well,it has way too much duration.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jul 11, 12 1:03 pm

I would use the 400 block. It is much stronger than the 440.

1stpop · Post by **1stpop** » Wed Jul 11, 12 1:43 pm

right let me start again i had this 400 put together for my race car , its gone belly up at less than 3 miles , 1st it bent a push rod then that was replaced then it done the cam and 2 lifters . then we pulled it apart and found odd push rods odd pistons . and yes it looks like a very low compression motor absolutely usless for a drag car i was promised decent bhp. it looks like its been thrown together from old tat lying about.
i had brought another 400 block to build a bigger and better drag engine for when i get use to car. but now this engine is dead its cheaper for me to get this 440 and put that in as im starting to lose patients with the whole thing . with the 440 in i maybe able to get it out this year .
hope this makes more sense.
cheers again

1stpop · Post by **1stpop** » Wed Jul 11, 12 1:47 pm

just looked my block number is 4006530-400-5
a 76-78 engine .but my damper appearers to be pre 71 can they be interchanged ?

Post by **TyreFryer** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:13 pm

1stpop wrote:right let me start again i had this 400 put together for my race car , its gone belly up at less than 3 miles , 1st it bent a push rod then that was replaced then it done the cam and 2 lifters . then we pulled it apart and found odd push rods odd pistons . and yes it looks like a very low compression motor absolutely usless for a drag car i was promised decent bhp. it looks like its been thrown together from old tat lying about.

Where did you have the engine built Darren?

Les Szabo · Post by **Les Szabo** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:20 pm

Just reading through this and it sounds like an absolute load of tat that was put together to sell the car perhaps?.....you can maybe use the block if ok later for a stroker.

The 440 sounds ok with good bits from what you've said, just make sure its balanced well by good people. Get a good 727 built with manual shift for when you'll be Racing proper later.
Converter choice is gonna be a compromise though as you wanna street it but you'll be able to get away wih less stall than some as your car is light so a 3500 should be ok for now for street/strip...then when you get serious depending on how mad the engine you build, you can use a 5000 stall and your Brake....for them quick 60ft's.....at some point, driving on the street will become too much though.
I drove my '71 Cuda at 3500lbs with a 4200 converter and 4.56 gears around and it wasn't too bad but 55mph was 4000rpm, not the best for prolonged driving.

Post by **TyreFryer** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:22 pm

Les Szabo wrote:Just reading through this and it sounds like an absolute load of tat that was put together to sell the car perhaps?

No Les, I think Darren is saying he had the motor built after he got the car?

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:42 pm

I've got a feeling I know where this one is heading....

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:44 pm

Blue wrote:I've got a feeling I know where this one is heading....

Oh dear....

1stpop · Post by **1stpop** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:49 pm

its not heading anywhere , my car came to me with no engine in it , hardly even a rolling shell lol.
but i likes it .
im am trying to figure out what to do with my bits etc , what can i keep what is a waste of money , im most upset that i have not managed to get my car out this year , ok weather has not helped

im just asking for some serious advice so i can have a go at building my engines myself from now on , then i only have myself to blame ( havent i ) i will put up a few picks of whats left so maybe you can advise me what to do .
cheers again all

400 block
steel heads had a lot of work done to them off a challenger
is it worth keeping pistons, crank , rods , balancer .
gearbox has also been rebuilt trans brake gilmer
new bands and bits etc .

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:56 pm

If you list what parts you have I'm sure we can come up with 5 different "best" ways forward

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:56 pm

Well to go back to your first photo. It looks like you probably have a good block there. That's about it really. The rest is not up to it. Strip it bare and use it for building a serious engine when you have more time and money.

Les Szabo · Post by **Les Szabo** » Wed Jul 11, 12 2:59 pm

Blue wrote:If you list what parts you have I'm sure we can come up with 5 different "best" ways forward

more like 10 blue ............