I'm in the process of rebuilding a 440. When checking for valve to piston clearance, what should it be? I've done the putty test (heads with gaskets torqued down, turned over with wrench).

What would the minium clearance be to allow for expansion?

Thanks

 

i would contact the manufacturer of where you got your pistons. they may vary from what Chrysler used in there production engines. assuming you are using aftermarket pistions.

 

I bought this engine off some hillbilly 8 years ago. This guy thought he knew how to build engines and I was young and stupid. So far I've found one push rod a different lenght (a long with that, a bent valve and cracked head) and a loose washer in the valve assembly. and i've never even had this motor in a car yet! Talk about lessons learned!

anyways, thats why I'm in the process of the re build. I seen some part # on the piston heads. I'll try googling that tonight to see what comes up.

 

Most builders recommend .060, some will say as tight a .050. That's with steel rods.

 

steel connecting rods?

 

Yes, .010-.020 more with aluminum.