wingding

im building a 440 for my 69 charger, it's .030 over, with 10.2-1 comp ratio hypetuetic pistons, im looking for a roller cam with a 800-5800 rpm powerband........the car has 3.23's in it now, but it will have a 2.92 sure grip rear center section in it when the new 440 is in it....sorta my answer to a overdrive trans........yet i do not want to loose much off the line performance either, im considering using 440 source heads, since they work great and take a lotta weight off the car, along with a alum water pump and intake too. thanks in advance for any info !

RacerHog

Not sure there is a roller cam that would work down that low... Maybe a Custom grind or a stock cam?????

demetri

I have a 68 Imperial with a 2.94 rear, and 29" rolling diameter tires. I just installed a Com Cam's .477/.488 cam. This cam has duration about similar to the HP cams, but much larger lift. The 440 is good for this, given the large diameter lifters. I am not done with tuning the car, but I am very impressed with the low range torque. It appears that when I am done, I will have really good upper end (which is starting to emerge already), and given how stable platform the Imperial is, this is going to be a great speed platform.


I was also considering the possibility of an electric OD and lower gears. It would have an even larger benefit in my case, as my car is very heavy. But it is hard to beat the simplicity and reliability of a 3sp torqueflite. Not to mention that your total transmission efficiency on high gear will be superior. I am very pleased with the medium speed acceleration characteristics with high gear. From 75 (2500 rpm) and up, just a touch of the gas pedal moves you through traffic very nicely (I can hold second gear if needed up to 100 true speed, but its very rarely needed).


If you plan to put a lot of miles on your car, I would stay with the 906 iron heads. You get excellent reliability in terms of overheating, when/if it happens. I have done some mild porting with larger valves on mine, and I think I am at least approaching the performance of the after market heads.

wingding

thanks for the replies, my friend has a set of 440 source stealth heads on a 451 powered 69 charger, he loves em, and it runs cooler with them v.s. the iron heads.

demetri

The issue is not whether they run cooler or not (which is debatable). The issue is what happens to them when something goes wrong, ie a coolant leak that you were not aware of, or anything else. The iron head will tolerate a lot more heat.


I was once driving back to town from a long trip at night, when my water pump belt broke. I was in the middle of nowhere. I knew, however, that as long as the car moves at a speed better than 85 or 90 mph, the wind through the grill and shroud can get the fan (and pump) spinning, maintaining proper temperature (don't ask how I knew that!). So, I made it home, about 120 miles, ensuring that the speed is held over 90. If I had to slow down going through small towns, the pump stopped, and car overheated in a hurry. I had to pull over and wait. With the engine cold, I could use the thermal inertia of the engine to get out of town.


I have had many other overheating stories, but this is the most amusing one.


I would have never gotten away with that with Al. heads. That's why I say, if you use the car as transportation, you are better off long term with the iron heads.

wingding

im more concerned about the cam than the heads, my buddy has thousands of trouble free miles on his 451 powered 69 charger, with slicks he's runnin high 12's with a 3.54 dana rear and he never had a issue with leaks or durability with the 440 source heads...ever !
im convinced they are the way to go for me.....

RacerHog

Just make sure the heads are set up for the cam your going to run... Just my 2 cents

camaro440

Those heads aren't awful but if you are looking at budget with them I would consider the super stealth heads as they can be ported a lot more and they are $500 bare heads. Pro comp is another head you can look at with a little work Hughes sells them and can get the pushrod issue fix