Pulled the 440 and sent it off to the engine rebuilder/machine shop last week. Having the motor bored 30 over, decking the top of the block, crank turned, and everything in between. Tried to source some other heads than the 516's that came on a 66 this weekend to no avail. Motor should be back in a couple weeks.
Joined: Thu Oct 07 2010, 12:01PM
Location: vermont
Posts: 180
the smaller valve sizes of the 516s mean that almost anything is better, Gregcon's point is well taken, by the time you purchase a set of used heads and have them reworked, you're already half way or better to the cost of a set of Edelbrocks, sometime ago you could buy a set of pocket ported "Street Fighter" heads for $500-600 with hardened valve seats, and larger valves, ...but I'm dating myself
A set of 440 source heads would be low buck (for new heads anyway)and can be painted to look stock.As with any new head I would check the valve job and depending on the cam I may upgrade the springs/locks/retainers. Yes it means more $$$ but in the end money spent here NOW will reap the most benefits. Check on www.moparts.com as well for some used ready to run heads(iron or aluminum).
At a minimum have someone put the 1.74 exhaust valves in your 516 heads and do some bowl porting.
Joined: Thu Mar 22 2007, 08:13AM
Location: In the workshop
Posts: 1063
This may upset some on here, but anyway.
A couple of years ago, I built up and dynoed some stock engines. This is a shortened version of the runs. Notice that the best engine of the lot had -516 heads on it. Despite the second engine being a full Magnum spec! In other words, dont be so quick to discount -516's.
1) 1966 350bhp 440. (Claimed, 350bhp at 4400, 480ft. lbs at 2800). Measured: 328,9 at 4400, 451,1 ft lbs at 2800. Engine spec: 600cfm Edelbrock Performer carb., Edelbrock Performer intake, Sealed Power CS327 camshaft, 2,25” Y-pipe. Otherwise stock. (-516 heads)
2) 1970 375bhp 440. (Claimed, 375bhp at 4600, 480ft lbs. at 3200). Measured: 343,9bhp at 4600, 440,2ft. lbs at 3200. Engine spec: Dual snorkel air cleaner, Edelbrock Thunder AVS 800 carb., Edelbrock Performer intake, separate 2,5” head pipes. (-906 heads).
3) 1966 1/2 365bhp 440. (Claimed, 365bhp at 4600, 480ft. lbs at 3200). Measured: 343,9 at 4600, 452,9ft. lbs at 3000. Engine spec: As 1) but with dual snorkel air cleaner, and separate 2,5” head pipes.
Joined: Wed Dec 21 2005, 07:34AM
Location: indiana
Posts: 791
There are a few new choices in BB cylinder heads now, and TrickFlow is coming out with 3 versions this year also.
I agree with Uncle Joe, I wouldn't discount 516 heads, they have their place if the engine package is planned for them. I know of a guy that put 318 heads on a 360 (the SB equiv of 516s on a 440) and he said it was a torque monster, and perfect for his truck. Kinda similar scenario if you think about it...
There are some newer ProMaxx heads out and there are some guys on Moparts raving about them. There seems to be engine builders in the comments, they like them, and are selling lots of them. In my wanderings I've seen good and bad comments about 440source and Eddy heads, seems like the ProMaxx comments are mostly positive.
I've decided to keep the 516 heads. The machine shop is shaving the bottoms of the heads and replacing the lifters, seats, and exhaust valves. Hoping to have the motor back in 10 days. Also going with Hedman shortys and an X pipe.
Joined: Wed Dec 21 2005, 07:34AM
Location: indiana
Posts: 791
I did a 2-part writeup many years ago on installing the shorties and x-pipe. Thread#s 62001 and 62006, perhaps? Edit - not those #s, but something similar, 2 consecutive threads.