440 questions

[69PowerWagon]

Ive got a 440 that needs new head gaskets. This engine overheated last year and blew a head gasket. I was planning on taking the heads down to a local machine shop to have them checked out. I am on the fence about just pulling the engine and having it rebuilt or just fixing the head gasket problem, Also any recomondations on a place to get some quality spark plug wires?

[RussRoth]

I don't know how hot your rig got but a heads up. Our Durango has the heads off since my wife does not understand you can't drive with a geyser shooting out from under the hood. Cracked both heads. I hope she understands now but it's a pretty expensive lesson. In all fairness she simply is not the least bit mechanical. I just wanted to let you know it might be more than just a head gasket unless you for sure have that figured out. Sounds like you already have plans to take the heads in which I would consider the least you need to do.

[daytb]

what kind of wires you wanting , stock replacement ones or just some really good ones. the custome ones like acell 8.8 sprial core one are great . jegs or summit or a local spped type shop have them bought 70- 80 bucks

[69PowerWagon]

0n the plug wires I am looking for something better than a stock set of wires. I'm not running MSD or anything like that but I would like to get some good wires. Im thinking about having the heads surfaced and mabe hot tanked but Im still trying to stay away from pulling the whole engine.

[RussRoth]

I had 8 mm MSD on mine for the last 10 years and just replaced them with a set of 8 mm Taylor wires. I like the Taylor's much better than the MSD's.

[bigblockbarry]

If it were me,I would pull the heads and take them to a machine shop. Have them put a straight edge on them to check for flatness and pull a vucuum on all the ports to see if the valves are still sealed. If they got really hot the seats will be distorted and need top be recut. Not a big deal. I wouldn't chance just replacing the head gaskets and being here again in a couple months,its just going to get hotter outside. When people come in my shop with heads that have overheated I try to do this while they watch. Makes it easier to discuss options if something is wrong.

[Hobcobble]

That's good advice!
John

[69PowerWagon]

Thanks for the info, I will be pulling the heads soon and taking them to the machine shop. Dad keeps telling me to put stop leak in it but that will just clog up the radiator that I just spent $600 getting redone, so thats not going to happen.

[69PowerWagon]

I did a compression test and it raised more questions than awensers. The shop manual says 100 psi min and only 1 cylinder is below that. The right had bank from front to rear is 105, 111, 110, 100. The left hand bank from front to back is 97, 100, 120, 115. Does this sound normal?

[garrett]

With a head gasket issue your compression will no read. Correct.

[MountainMoparRobin]

I did a compression test and it raised more questions than awensers. The shop manual says 100 psi min and only 1 cylinder is below that. The right had bank from front to rear is 105, 111, 110, 100. The left hand bank from front to back is 97, 100, 120, 115. Does this sound normal?

Looks like there is a leak between the 97,-100, that would be where the gasket blew, no if you take your heads off and have them checked.
Cast heads can take an over heat, up to a certain point, where as the new cars have aluminum heads and block if they over heat their trash