Question concerning the 440 engine...

[69Charger_440]

I would like to hear what you guys have to say concerning the 440, please.  Is it better to get one with a steel crank ('66-'73) or forged crank ('74-??) and why?  Actually, I am not too sure when the forged crank came out, was it '73 or '74?  Is there a difference between a 440 that came out of a Charger than say a New Yorker, Imperial, Fury, etc... I have  an opportunity to get a '77 440 and just wondering.  Thanks in advance.

[defiance]

I'm not 100% sure on this all, but my understanding is as follows

The forged crank is definitely preferable - BUT - it's not a year-based thing.  I'm pretty sure 6-packs had forged, but there may be others?  I'm pretty sure it's not year-based, but I'm not sure what criteria were used in determining whether it was forged or not.  However, there are differences in years.  The differences can be gotten past, though.  They basically come down to pistons and heads.  This was also the differentiating factor on different models; non-'performance' engines and models had more restrictive heads and lower compression pistons.  One thing to consider also is that some truck 440s have different oil pans that won't fit in cars (I think).

[48chebbie]

the problem you will run into is that the cast crank motors,will have the pistons better than .100 in. in the hole,but that can be remedied with pistons,decking the block,and shaving the heads. the main difference between performance 440's,and non-perf. 440's is that the standard ones,will have log exhaust manifolds,and a milder cam. the heads will be 915's,906's,and 452's(later) that 77 440 will have 452's,if they haven't been changed. there is also alot of forged steel crank 440's,made after the "performance years" engines,many are tagged as 413's in motor home,and heavy truck applications. there is also a myth,that there are no 440's made after 1978,which is true........to an extent. all those believers of that,could maybe explain the 440 block i have,that has a casting date of 2/10/80 that came out of an international/harvester combine years ago,with a forged crank,externally ballanced(six-pack balancer),452 heads,and a quadrajet carb!!!!

[69Charger_440]

thanks for the info, guys. 

[chargerbr549]

48 chebbie, just to add to your dates on the 440, years ago I was under the impression that 78 was the last year for the 440 but many years ago I rebuilt a 727 trans for a one and a half ton Dodge parcel delivery van that had a factory 440 and I believe it was built in 80 or 81 which I had a hard time believing at first. I had been in the parts business for over 12 years and it seems like the books don't really acknowledge anything built after 78, Just my observations.

Pretty much any year 440 is a good one but some years are more desirable than others. Most anything you want to know about 440's check out 440source.com

[Chryco Psycho]

the 440 steel crank is Preferable but not nessisary , for the most part steel cranks were not used after 74 but some applications still had them
Balancing isd the big issue Not strength , the cast crank will stand up to 500+ HP , but if you want to use a 4 spd the flywheel will have to be balanced with part fo the rotating assy , steel cranks used a neutral balance flywheel except the 6 pack rod versions
BTW steel & forged are the same thing , the cast cranks were the weaker ones used 73 up
nothing wrong with a 77 440 , if you are rebuilding use the L2355 F Speed Pro piston & the compression problem is fixed