1973 440 engine question

[01MOPAR]

I just bought a  1973 chrysler new yorker with a 440 4 bbl in it? I pretty much bought the car for the drive train but it runs and drives, what was the factory hp in 1973?  Is a 1973 440 engine a good engine to build? Also is their any disadvantages to having a cast crank shaft?

[01MOPAR]

I found this info on 73 's looks like 280hp on the 73 440
http://www.allpar.com/history/dodge/1973.html

[lazarus]

My '73 440 is a steel crank motor.

[firefighter3931]

  Is a 1973 440 engine a good engine to build? Also is their any disadvantages to having a cast crank shaft?

The 73 440 engine is fine to build. If you're looking for a street type combo in the 450hp or less range the cast crank is fine. The biggest stumbling block is the low compression pistons but that is easily remedied with a set of Speedpro 2355 forged pistons. As mentioned above, some 73 motors came with a forged crank so check yours to make sure of what you've got. The harmonic balancer is the easiest way to tell them apart....short of tearing the block down.

Here's a pic to help you identify

[jg68]

Read this, you may either have a forged or cast crank

http://www.440source.com/dampers.htm

[01MOPAR]

Its a cast crank shaft ,no hp markings  on the id pad . j 440  stands for 1973.

[John_Kunkel]

The lack of HP markings doesn't mean it has a cast crank, the standard performance could have either cast or forged at random. An E on the data pad means cast crank, if there is no E it left the plant with a forged crank.

[01MOPAR]

 it has the bigger balancer so its cast.

[chargerbr549]

To add to what firefighter said on running Speedpro 2355 pistons I see in the book they list two different versions of that piston, the regular one that's kind of heavy and has 5/64 rings and they have a lightweight version that is about 50 grams lighter and runs the 1/16 rings and look to be about the same price. We have balanced several 440s lately in our shop and with the regular 2355 piston the bobweights get so heavy it's a little bit of work to balance them out, I am thinking maybe next time to give the lightweight version a try.

Firefighter what's your thoughts on that?

Kevin