Regarding the use ZDDP in engine with flat tappets.
The proper level of ZDDP for street is 800 to 1200 parts per million. Check the oil specs. Many racing oils have 2500+ ppm. That could cause corrosion problems in a street engine with longer oil change intervals (3000 to 5000 miles)...
A thermostat does not affect the final equilibrium engine operating temperature unless it is stuck; in which case the engine will overheat. A thermostat's only function is to get the engine up into it's normal range quickly and then open up to allow the engine temperature to seek out on it's...
There is absolutely no way for sure to tell if that block was originally a 71 440 six pack unless you know the rest of the VIN # stamped on the pan rail.
An empirical test of this fuel deflector piece would not involve a dynamometer. The best way to measure effectiveness is to physically measure the rate of change (acceleration) of crankshaft rpm with a given instantaneous opening of the throttle plates to a pre-determined position.
It is...
This thread reminds me of climate change. Someone says the earth is going to burn up in 12 years. They keep saying it over and over, and a lot of people blindly believe it. It might be true, maybe, but no-one has empirical experimental proof that 0.04% CO2 can even cause warming; no one has...
If you use an oil pump that has provisions for a standard type racing filter in the stock location, you don't need to worry about the height of the suction lines as long as the filter has an internal anti-drainback valve.
Both the WIX #51515R and Fram HP-1 have silicone rubber anti-drainback...
440-6pack,
If Aluminum heads won't break your budget, I'd do that. Even mildly modified 440's respond very well to 2.14/1.81 valves.
Otherwises good valve job on the 452 heads would be OK. If any of the valves need replaced, I would replace all of them and go to the oversize valves if that...
First of all - 15% to 17% leakdown is definitely NOT good. It should be 1/2 of that. My race engines normally leak down at 4 to 6%.
I feel sure that there are valve problems. Possibly a bent or burned valve, mushroomed valve head, bent stem, etc.. That would explain many of the symptoms...
Back in 1971, I bought a new 440-6 Challenger with the same rear end as you have. The first thing I did was install a set of headers. The second was to install a 11" TCI converter. The car was a lot more fun. You might consider an 11" rather than 12" with a stall speed of 2500 rpm.
I use the Milodon dual line swivel pickup in an 8 qt oil pan that I fabricated myself. Use a high volume pump with it. Melling # M-63HV (high volume) oil pump is very good and way cheaper than a Milodon pump. Use the Milodon bronze gear type oil pump drive. An oil cooler is not needed. I...
That is not a plug. It's a cover for the oil pump's internal pressure regulator. There is a spring and a plunger underneath. When you buy the Milodon external pickup kit (without pump), it will have the necessary adapters to connect the suction line(s) to your pump.
I would use the Melling...