Posted by Todd Wilson on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at 0:32AM :
In Reply to: Hemis and Hemi parts posted by Paul S. Schmidt on Monday, January 26, 2004 at 10:16PM :
Anything related to the 426 Hemi is also related to cash and lots of it. Hemi's are a rich mans game.
The 426 Hemi had more head bolts and bolts on the intake side. Also had boss's down in the valley area for all this. The 426 Hemi had a slightly shorter stroke then the 440.
Back in the early 90's there was some kind of adapter kit to put Hemi heads on a RB 440. It never did fly and I dont think they are around anymore. There is/was a company Stage V is the name if I remember correctly that make custom Hemi heads for other kinds of engines. They are not cheap. 8000$ and up to do this. Most have dual spark plugs and I think some can even have 4 valves per cylinder. You are now starting to enter the NHRA Pro stock and the unlimited tractor pull guys ball game. No one on their right mind will spend 8000$ on fancy heads to put on a common cast iron 440 block. This stuff is made to bolt onto aluminum blocks.
Not much will interchange between the 440 and the 426 Hemi. If my memory is correct and its getting late......... the front part of the engine will interchange. Waterpump housing and pump. I believe the timing chain cover will interchange. The distributors will interchange,starter and transmissions will interchange between the 426 Hemi and 440. I am not 100% sure but I think cam shafts and oil pumps and pans will also.
As for you wanting to trade a 440 block plus cash for a 426 Hemi block..........
You better have about 4000$ cash to go with the 440 block. 440's complete are bring 500$ and the block isnt worth much on its own. 440 blocks are a dime a dozen.
If you get the 426 Hemi block you are gonna need a Hemi crankshaft and rods and pistons. The could run you several grand there. Hemi Heads will vary but they start at several thousand dollars and go up. Hemi Intakes and exhaust manifolds/headers are expensive. 1000$ for an intake.
If you find an old original 60's 426 Hemi engine complete and running it will bring 8grand and up. If you find a non running Hemi most likely its been used in drag racing and may have problems from being run hard. fixing these problems may be impossible and or costly.
If you got the cash Mopar Performance is offering new crate hemi long block engines from the 426 to the 528 cubic inch sizes. Most start at 10000$ and go up from there. Sometimes they are back ordered and there is a wait.
Hemi's are the best and Hemi's are expensive.
But with 12000$ you can build a 440 that will run with a Hemi any day of the week.
If you dig into the rocket science of the 2 engines in the end the Hemi will beat the 440 due to its heads breathing so much better at high rpms. In racing a few thousandts of a second is all it takes to win.
Todd
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