JDB840 wrote:Good luck on the project.
i too have been considering stroking my 440 6. I've been looking at hughes website for a while, and would like to dublicate their 500 6pack engine. When I get me tax returns back this years, I'm going to purchase the top end heads rockers cam and etc. I will be asking alot of questions, seeing how you will almost be doing the same thing.
So far I found the following things out with my project: I am using a Low Deck,(9.988 Deck Height), 400 Block. I spoke with Dave Hughes at his shop regarding a dual plane intake and the extra cubes. Will a dual plane be enough to feed it? Dave said it would be a tuning nightmare. The middle carb feeds both sides of the engine, one throttle bore for each bank, it would require some very fat jetting to run right, then the transition to the outboards would be tricky to run with out going lean,(ie bogging), until the engine has enough speed to recover and go to WOT with all carbs open. It seems the more I talk to people and read as much as I can about it, the more my mind is made up to run a Huge Single Plane and Pro Series Holley!
Keep in mind I want a true street engine with a flat torque curve but not run out of "breath" at 5000+ R.P.M.'s also keep in mind the engine either at 500 or 512 is considerably much larger than before and larger plenums are needed to feed the engine at higher speeds. As Dave mentioned once before, too bad we dont have a sweet M.P.I. Injected SixPack, that way fuel distribution is a non-issue. I currently have the 400 block at Daves being machined to 4.375 with Deck plates, Mains Honed for .002-.0025 clearance. Cylinder bores honed for 2618 Billet Pistons .006 clearance required for those, decked for Cometic gaskets,(smooth RA finish), lifter bores honed .001 clearance with his EDM lifters,(Oil through to cam lobe). When I get the block I'll post pics. I havent totally decided on the 500 inch with 6.76 rods and 2.625 rod journals with 4.15 stroke or 512 with 2.2 journals and 6.5 rods, both do not use piston ring spacers, which I didnt want to run on the street. Comp ratio is on the Low side. I am trying for a dished piston and 9:0 to 1 with alloy heads,(perfect for that Pro-Charger eh)