Hey guys,

My charger I bought has a decent running 440 truck engine and drivetrain in it. I don't want to sink the money into another engine or forged / aftermarket internals right now. My question is can I just change out the heads (assuming valves are good and doesn't need a valve job) or do I need to replace pistons as well? I am just looking to make up for the lost ccompression of a truck engine versus car, I will move on to performance when budget allows. Thanks!

 

You lost me here you say its a decent running engine and yet you want to change out heads assuming the valves are good? Maybe its me I dont know but I think you should re write this.

 

i think he means if the valves are good on the new heads. yes you can. you can go from an open chamber head to a closed chamber without worries.

 

Yeah I meant the new heads. I found a few guys selling heads for a couple hundred that are supposedly good (a gamble I am willing to take). I know it would negate the savings if the heads needed a valve job too. I read the truck engine compression is about 7.8:1 and I believe it is mostly due to heads? If I am mistaken please let me know.

 

If I understand here you said the truck runs ok (decent) and you do plan on moving to performance I would wait and do it right when budget allows.

my opinion only
(Your friendly neighborhood sweeperking)

 

I agree with sweeperking.

Why get into the motor 2 times just to possibly disappointed with just the head swap.
And who knows what you might find once you start tearing into it.

JMO, I'd save up and build the engine the way you want it.

Let us know what you decided....

 

Timmy -

Thank about what you want to do with the motor (and be realistic, race cars typically don't make good street cars and vice versa) and then pick a cam that will let that happen. Base your subsequent choices (carb, intake, exhaust, yes - heads, trany parts and rear end) on that.

Archer