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Poll What b/rb motor to run in a frequently driven 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator
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   Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> 1955-1961 Forward Look MoPar General DiscussionMessage format
 
What b/rb motor to run in a frequently driven 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator
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3613 Votes - [30%]
3834 Votes - [40%]
4000 Votes - [0%]
4131 Votes - [10%]
4402 Votes - [20%]

Cataldo
Posted 2017-06-24 10:27 AM (#542769)
Subject: What b/rb motor to run in a frequently driven 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator


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Location: Apple Valley, CA
So I have a lead on several motors (a mopar guy who has a small collection)

He has a 1976 440 that has a rattle can rebuild done to it (paint and who knows what else)

361 looks like from a runner (unknown story). My wagon was originally a 361 fwiw

400 from a runner

413 looks like from a runner (unknown story)

All are complete and all will eventually be built very similarly, mild roller cam good compression around 10:1 and some aluminum heads. Nothing radical but a super solid combination.

The question is which motor should I run for a road trip and frequently driven locally vehicle? Obviously fuel economy is important (we have another thread discussing just this) all out power is not, considering even the 361 will make more than 'enough' power.

I'm thinking just going fr the 440 as it will obviously make the most power and I believe is in the best condition (but that is not known so don't factor that in).

Edited by Cataldo 2017-06-24 10:29 AM
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Cataldo
Posted 2017-06-24 11:34 AM (#542777 - in reply to #542769)
Subject: Re: What b/rb motor to run in a frequently driven 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator


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Also please say why you voted how you did. I.e. 361 for originality/different

440 because brute power with less effort and $$$
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57chizler
Posted 2017-06-24 2:20 PM (#542787 - in reply to #542769)
Subject: RE: What b/rb motor to run in a frequently driven 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator



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Big heavy cars need big heavy motors...go with the 440.
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JT Vincent
Posted 2017-06-24 2:46 PM (#542790 - in reply to #542787)
Subject: Re: What b/rb motor to run in a frequently driven 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator



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I'd consider the 413. If I recall correctly, the 76 440 had a thinner casting than 75 back. "On page 198 of the Mopar engines manual, (the 8th edition) in the "B-RB Engines (block) section, it states: "The 1976-1977-1978 blocks for the 400 and 440 are a thin wall casting design. As such they shouldn't be overbored more then .020." This quote can now be found on page 58 of the "Big Block B/RB Engines book from Mopar Perfomance, part # P4876825." The 413 has more beef to it.
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1960fury
Posted 2017-06-24 3:26 PM (#542792 - in reply to #542790)
Subject: Re: What b/rb motor to run in a frequently driven 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator



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JT Vincent - 2017-06-24 2:46 PM

I'd consider the 413. If I recall correctly, the 76 440 had a thinner casting than 75 back. "On page 198 of the Mopar engines manual, (the 8th edition) in the "B-RB Engines (block) section, it states: "The 1976-1977-1978 blocks for the 400 and 440 are a thin wall casting design. As such they shouldn't be overbored more then .020." This quote can now be found on page 58 of the "Big Block B/RB Engines book from Mopar Perfomance, part # P4876825." The 413 has more beef to it.


this myth has been shattered by some magazine or whatever that purchased a big number of mopar b blocks of all years and measured their wall thickness and weight. they found out this thinwall thing is a myth. in fact the latest blocks are the ones with the least core shift and therefore the best suited for a high hp build. the only thing that speaks against them is that the casting material is not as good as the material from the very early blocks. at least thats how i remember the article from years ago.
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57chizler
Posted 2017-06-25 4:08 PM (#542849 - in reply to #542790)
Subject: Re: What b/rb motor to run in a frequently driven 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator



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JT Vincent - 2017-06-24 11:46 AM
"The 1976-1977-1978 blocks for the 400 and 440 are a thin wall casting design. As such they shouldn't be overbored more then .020."


It's not actually the wall thickness but the material that (supposedly) limits the overbore.

http://arengineering.com/tech/sonic-checking-the-mopar-big-block/

The '76 is a good candidate for the OP because it's more compatible with today's gasoline.
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