440 HP2

[Charger72SE]

I removed the a/c condensor and got a good look at the engine identification pad; the numbers there were:

440
        17     HP2

does anybody know what the "17" stands for?

also, what is the specifics of a "HP2" engine?  it's a 72 SE

thanks!!

[Brock Samson]

HP 2 is a 375 horse Magnum... looks like you gotta goodie... left over from '71 perhaps?..
i dunno about the 17 though...

[Blusmbl]

I thought the 2 just designated 2nd shift? I'm probably wrong though.

[cudaken]

 Same with me on the 17 part. But HP2 is good if you are into numbers not on a ET slip. If you post the number stamped by the pan on the right front it will tell us what it was dropped into new.

I have been told that that many 72 blocks left with 6-pack rods as well. But have fell out if favior with hot rod folks now due too the extra weight.

                       Cuda Ken

PS, send a PIC of the blancer as well, that tells the tell.

[Charger72SE]

everything I've seen says the 72 440 either had 280 or 290 HP - but I thought in 72 the HP was measured at the wheels instead of at the engine

here's a picture of the block stamping by the oil pan & one showing the balancer (I think these were what you meant)

thanks guys!

[Blusmbl]

In '72 the engine was still rated for crank horsepower, it just utilized a more realistic SAE correction factor, and it had to run on the dyno with full accessories.

[BigBlockSam]

that looks like a steel crank blancer

[Charger72SE]

yep, the 72 440 HP had a forged crank

[superblu72]

Look to the left of the 440. See the faint H that is the designation for 72. If you look to the left of the 17 you'll see a faint 9. Not sure how to read it, but I think  July, 9th of 71 build date. There should be a cast date of the block on the side which comes before that number. What's the build date on the door vin?

[superblu72]

Same with me on the 17 part. But HP2 is good if you are into numbers not on a ET slip. If you post the number stamped by the pan on the right front it will tell us what it was dropped into new.

I have been told that that many 72 blocks left with 6-pack rods as well. But have fell out if favior with hot rod folks now due too the extra weight.

                       Cuda Ken

PS, send a PIC of the blancer as well, that tells the tell.

The number he is talking about is on the pass side of the block at the bottom just above the oil pan. It'll have the last six digits of your car and couple other numbers/letters

[Charger72SE]

Wow, you have good eyes!!  I think I'll clean the pad and see if anything else is there

yep, the build date on the door tag is "9 - 71"

here are some pics of the engine vin, block production time and the fender tag

looks like there may be some numbers to the left of the engine vin - I'll clean that and see if anything is there

so, back to an earlier post by StratoCharger - HP2 is the 375 HP 440?  any other differences between HP and HP2?

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

The 9  17 stamp would indicate a block date of 9/17  "H" 440 means its a 72 440 engine.

Looking at your tag and the #'s stamped on the block its your original engine!!

[hemigeno]

Chris is absolutely right.

The 9   17   indicates that the motor was assembled on 9/17/71.   The block was probably cast at the foundry anywhere from a few weeks to a few months prior to that.   There will be a casting date, probably on the right (pass) side of the block that will show when it was cast.   Your engine assembly date is about a week prior to the Scheduled Build Date of 9/23, which is exactly what you would expect.   That's awesome that you have the original engine!     

There is no difference between an HP and an HP2 block.   As Blusmbl already stated, that just designates that the motor was assembled on the 2nd shift.   No big deal.   In actuality, there is no difference between a non-HP and an HP block.   They are the same castings, but HP motors got HP components installed in place of the standard-fare parts (camshaft, distributor, carb, etc.).

[Charger72SE]

thanks guys for your help!!