440 question

[BigDannyT]

Ok just to let everyone know first I dont know alot the mechanical side and could use a little help. I am in the begining stages of my restoral. I am looking for a engine just to get me started and have come across a few in my area. First is a 440 out of a 74 or 76 new yorker for $350 it currently runs. Next is a 60's 383 with 4x2 intake and carbs this engine has set for about 2 years and ran when it was set but not very well $475. Last is a 383 cross ram that was restored over a year ago for a project that never happen and have not found out a price on this one yet. I am looking for an engine for cruising and to be able to smoke the tires when I want. I am not going to have it at the track. Any suggestions on which to pursue or will work for what I want I understand I only have limited info right now. I could use any help I can get I am in Iowa in case anybody has anything else close. I do have a #'s matching block but am not currently restoring it as it will be pulled and set aside for another day.

Thanks everyone

[Rayzor]

I would say go for the 440. even a stock one should fry the tires at will. Also its running so you dont need to shell out bucks for a rebuild right away.

[Ghoste]

Yep, 440 all the way.

[Lord Warlock]

a 383 will smoke the tires almost as good as a 440 will.  Both have plenty of torque for melting rubber.  As far as motors that have sat for a couple years, as long as they were running when they were parked or set aside, they should be fine.  My 440 and charger has sat for 24 years and it still starts and runs just fine, I usually start it up every 2 years or so just to make sure it still turns over freely.  (biggest problem i have is old gas in the tank, not a stuck motor) Anyway, I once put a 383 in my charger (till i could find another 440) and up to 120mph it ran just as strong as the 440 did, but it had been tweaked a little bit inside.  It also got 2mpg better than the 440 did, so I wouldn't jump on the 440 bandwagon just for the cubes.  a 383 has plenty of power, the 68-71 magnums are better than the others though.  Also, the more carbs you get the more you gotta tune to make it work right together.  I doubt i'd be using a dual quad manifold these days, not when a good single plane single 4 barrel carb will do just as well overall.  There are exceptions though, as mentioned in the next paragraph.

The 74-76 440 is pretty much a dog motor with low compression and not tuned for power.  Still would fry tires though.  I'd rather have a 60s 383 magnum motor than a 76 440.  Now the crossram 383 is a big question, depending on the size of the runners of the crossram, Long tubes for crossrams such as those used in the 60-64 300F-K letter series cars was designed for low rpm power, reaching peak power at 3800 rpm whereas short tube ram induction manifolds had more top end power.  I've always kind of wanted to try out a long tube ram induction manifold on my 440, would look awesome polished-if it would fit under the hood.   

[Ghoste]

I still say 440.  The 383 is a short stroke engine that doesn't make near the torque of the 440 and adding any kind of cross ram or dual 4 to the mix will only make it peakier and more work to maintain.  Get the 440 and do a little work to take some of the dog out of it and you will be happier.

[Blakcharger440]

Go with the 440,put in a little more cam,headers,RPM intake and some gears then you will have some fun. 
Or just leave it like it is and have fun too. 

[firefighter3931]

440 all the way.  Rebuild the late model 440 with some speedpro 6-pack pistons and you'll be right where the late 60's hp motors were for compression. Throw a nice cam, intake and headers on it and you will be really happy ! 500ftlbs of torque is a whole lotta fun on the street ! 


Ron

[jg68]

440 all the way.  Rebuild the late model 440 with some speedpro 6-pack pistons and you'll be right where the late 60's hp motors were for compression. Throw a nice cam, intake and headers on it and you will be really happy ! 500ftlbs of torque is a whole lotta fun on the street ! 


Ron

I Agree, change the pistons to the 2355s TRWs, a nice cam, headers, intake & carb = Alot of FUN

[is_it_EVER_done?]

Since you state that you don't yet have the mechanical ability and are looking for a "starter" type engine, I would strongly suggest the 440 if it runs good (buy it even if it doesn't run good as you can't lose money on it and you may want it in the future).

A 383 can certainly burn the tires, but they can't come close to the low RPM torque of a 440 (even a low compression smoger). Keep in mind that the 383 cars used a higher stall converter to compensate for the reduced torque.

You have much more potential with the long stroke of a 440, plus they are getting much harder to find nowdays. Overall, it's your best buy, plus dealing with the multiple carbs of the 383's you mentioned is a real pain in the posterior, and will give you about half the gas millage of a single 4 BBl., while probably delivering less torque than the smog 440.