+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 57

Thread: Big Block R/T Build *PIC HEAVY*

  1. #1
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default Big Block R/T Build *PIC HEAVY*

    I will chronicle my build progress in this thread.

    I purchased this 2003 R/T club cab at insurance auction after hurricane Harvey hit. The truck had been flooded with just a couple inches of water in the floorboard. The "damage" included water in the crankcase, and a shorted out ground for the park light circuit on the BCM. Insurance had totaled the truck with a non-repairable title which means the truck can never be registered and legally driven on the street again... so I decided it would be a great platform for the big block I've had sitting on a pallet for two years.

    I drove two hours round trip to get the truck, and immediately started cleaning it out when I got back. I found the truck was in very good shape, and had been flooded with clean water - no mold or mildew anywhere.



























    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  2. #2
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    The next step was to take the engine and transmission out. Since I was building this as a track and show queen I went ahead and took the whole front clip off. I also replaced the upper ball joints and installed ES Poly upper control arm bushings since the old rubbers were shot.









    Before dropping the engine in, I had to finish prepping it.























    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  3. #3



    chrgr340's Avatar
    DAKRT56

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Two Harbors, MN
    Posts
    757

    Default

    Sweet build! Looking forward to seeing your progress on it

    Steve - 1999 Flame Red RC R/T-56
    Comp Cams | F&B | Mopar | Spintech | SCT | Hotchkis


  4. #4
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    I stripped the interior for weight reduction while keeping the factory carpet and dash (for now). The R/T seat will be replaced with a racing seat and five point harness. I modified the factory cluster housing to fit aftermarket gauges, and modified the aftermarket radio bezel for rocker switches (push button start is not yet installed).

















    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  5. #5



    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Corrales, New Mexico
    Posts
    17,966

    Default

    Nice....
    Just remember, burning plastic can act as an accelerant. Hence the tin can.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    11.27 @ 118.23
    2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion

  6. #6
    BIGROB's Avatar
    I killed Goose

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Thibodaux, Louisiana
    Posts
    874

    Default

    Very nice man
    Keep the pictures coming.

    Project Maverick. I feel the need, the need for speed

  7. #7

    98Dak408's Avatar
    Supporting Vendor

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Detroit Area, Michigan
    Posts
    2,972

    Default

    Nice to see a different approach.

  8. #8
    9t9-5.2's Avatar
    Home School Valedictorian

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Central Iowa
    Posts
    1,307

    Default

    Out of curiosity, how does an insurance company have a say if a vehicle could be put back on the road?

    Looking good!

    "Excuse me if I have some place in my mind, where I go time to time"

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 9t9-5.2 View Post
    Out of curiosity, how does an insurance company have a say if a vehicle could be put back on the road?

    Looking good!
    Yeah, I was kind of wondering the same thing. It seems to me that the DMV would have that say.

  10. #10
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 9t9-5.2 View Post
    Out of curiosity, how does an insurance company have a say if a vehicle could be put back on the road?

    Looking good!
    Per Texas DMV...

    Vehicles that CANNOT be Rebuilt, Retitled, or Registered
    Vehicles for which the following documents have been issued may not be rebuilt,
    reconstructed, retitled, or registered:
    • A Nonrepairable Vehicle Title issued on or after September 1, 2003;
    • An out of state ownership document that indicates the vehicle is nonrepairable,
    junked, for parts, dismantling only, or otherwise indicates the vehicle may not be
    rebuilt or retitled in the jurisdiction that issued the document.
    • A Certificate of Authority to Dispose of a Motor Vehicle to a Demolisher for
    Demolition, Wrecking, or Dismantling Only (COA);
    • A Texas Salvage Vehicle Title or Nonrepairable Vehicle Title that has FOR EXPORT
    ONLY stamped on the title, indicating that the salvage or nonrepairable motor vehicle
    was sold by a salvage vehicle dealer or governmental entity to a non-U.S. resident for
    export only;
    • A Texas Salvage Vehicle Title or Nonrepairable Vehicle Title and the record remark
    indicates “EXPORT ONLY” remark;
    Salvage Vehicle Safety Inspection

    Note: The body and frame of an otherwise nonrepairable (junk) vehicle (that
    cannot be repaired, rebuilt, or reconstructed for on-road use) cannot be used
    to repair, rebuild, reconstruct, or assemble another vehicle.
    Since this title was marked Salvage Non-Repairable after being flooded in Harvey (after September 1, 2003) then I can not register and legally drive it on the street.
    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  11. #11
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Adobedude View Post
    Nice....
    Just remember, burning plastic can act as an accelerant. Hence the tin can.
    Mine will get there one day... it's been a very slow project for me. It took four years to get the motor in a truck! I also now have to rebuild the transmission in my supercharged Jeep so this truck is getting pushed further back.
    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  12. #12
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Here are some miscellaneous pics. I took one cylinder head off to get it re-cc'd because it had been sitting on a pallet for two years and I forgot all the measurements. Everything came out to 10.73:1 CR which isn't bad. The truck shorty 727 will not work with this application so I dug through my stockpile and found a car long-housing 727 that I will rebuild and bolt up.





















    Last edited by silversub; 12-25-2018 at 05:25 PM.
    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  13. #13

    98Dak408's Avatar
    Supporting Vendor

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Detroit Area, Michigan
    Posts
    2,972

    Default

    That transmission looks like the type out of a motor home with the short tail shaft.

  14. #14
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 98Dak408 View Post
    That transmission looks like the type out of a motor home with the short tail shaft.
    Came out of a '77 D300 with a two-piece shaft (my motor donor truck).
    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  15. #15

    Default

    383?

  16. #16
    niebs's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    North DE
    Posts
    1,761

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by arro222 View Post
    383?
    Says 440 in his sig.

  17. #17
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by arro222 View Post
    383?
    Guess I oughta post some specs on the engine.

    Engine highlights include:
    1969 cast 440 block overbored 0.040”
    Factory forged crankshaft
    Molnar billet rods with ARP bolts
    Diamond Racing forged pistons
    Reconditioned 906 heads
    Double roller chain
    Hughes Whiplash cam with higher pressure valve springs
    Hughes fast, even bleed hydraulic flat tappet lifters
    Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
    Meziere electric water pump
    Fluidampr harmonic balancer
    MSD HVC set with soft rouch rev limiter
    Melling high volume oil pump

    That's about it so far. It's more on the mild side, as the original plan for the engine was a street build for my '95 Dakota Sport. The plans for that fell through and it ended up sitting on a pallet for about two years, so I swapped it into this one. I am trying to find out when Schumacher will have another run of the custom-fit headers for this swap. This is a first run build... eventually I'll get another 440 block and do a 543 nitrous setup.
    Last edited by silversub; 12-27-2018 at 12:41 AM.
    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  18. #18

    Default

    nice build so far.

  19. #19

    Default

    Interesting build and details, nice work

    Whiplash Engine & Machine, FRP Tuned
    Instagram moderator for dakota_rt_club

  20. #20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by niebs View Post
    Says 440 in his sig.
    Didn't see that part. Pretty rare to be in a D300 unless I'm reading that wrong. I know the tranny did out of the 77 but "motor donor truck" is in parenthesis so I guess someone plopped in the 69 440 into the D300 at some point?

  21. #21
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by arro222 View Post
    Didn't see that part. Pretty rare to be in a D300 unless I'm reading that wrong. I know the tranny did out of the 77 but "motor donor truck" is in parenthesis so I guess someone plopped in the 69 440 into the D300 at some point?
    Yes, the original big block blew around 1998 which was when this engine was built and swapped in. It had 7,000 miles on it when I pulled it out in 2014, then completely re-built it.
    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

  22. #22

    Default

    Nice work. Good to see someone else do a big block swap. I have a similar project.. it's in this forum somewhere. I haven't updated in a couple years.

  23. #23
    HARSH-R/T's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Corning, NY
    Posts
    117

    Default

    Bad ass swap man! Looking forward to seeing it complete and love the progress!
    01' RC Dakota 5.9L R/T - TKO 600 - 1st ever 01+ Manual Tranny Conversion w/ NO CEL - SOLD
    98' Durango 5.2L 4x4 - T/S Lift with 33x12.5x15 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac's - SOLD
    If it aint broke, fix it till it is!

  24. #24

    Default

    Who made the timing cover?

  25. #25
    silversub's Avatar
    ASE Certified Tech

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    36

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MarkMopar View Post
    Who made the timing cover?
    That's the 440source fabricated aluminum cover with their billet adjustable timing indicator.
    '03 R/T CC - 1969 440 - 0.040" over, 10.73:1 static
    Forged crank | Molnar billet rods | Diamond Racing forged pistons | Fluidampr | Meziere 35gpm | Performer RPM | Brawler 750cfm | Whiplash cam | Aeromotive 90gph | MSD HVC

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may post new threads
  • You may post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •