Picked up what I thought was a 65 426 street wedge. I got the engine back from the machine shop and was informed it was a marine/industrial motor. I've never done much with a Mopar big block so I listened..... This motor does have b 426 stamped on the square pad about 5" to the left of the distributor. That is all that is stamped or cast on the block. It has no date or any other machined pad stamped with any info. What I was told the side of the block has reinforcing ribs cast into it. It also has rear bosses cast for rear block water inlets. I did note it was NOT a reverse rotation motor. I was also told this block was the one racers looked for because it could be punched 90 over and still have good cylinder walls. I punched it 40 over and probably have .200 thick cylinder walls now. It is a heavy block. That heads have 2.08 intakes and had 1.60 exhausts. Since I'm having hardened seats the exhausts will be enlarged. I hope they do a good job blending. Anyone have anymore info on these marine/industrial motors.
I have done a few. Years ago we used to bore them. 070 and install 440 pistons. Now because they are so rare I keep them 426s . The marine block is a very good block. The ribbing is a bonus. I used one for my 63 max wedge adding the bore notches as per the old Stage III engines. It can be done by machine or by hand if one is a very careful worker. Using a 440 style head gasket for layout will show the location and in fact back in the day when I built and raced 440 engines I used to add the bore notches to them too to help flow. Reportedly all max wedges were built by Chrysler Marine anyway so I have been told. I don't know if that is so but it could be. The engine I have on my 63 I bored .030 and bought a set of JE Pistons forged from Mazolini in Calif , 11 to1s as he used to have batches of them made up as the Piston companies were not always fair when they were ordered separately. I drive mine on the street using Sunoco 94 . I get by with the 11 to 1 by installing a relatively big cam durationwise. I now have over 41000 miles on it since the build and it will still raise the hair on the back of your neck when you get into it. It was my project for the year 2000 so my wife calls it Milly don
Listen to Dolmetsch, he knows these motors. Ask him what kind of pistons, cam, intake, headers etc to use. Or get his Old Reliable video.
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