440 swap

[darkfiire5000]

i have a 68 charger that origanilly had a 383 block still have the bare block but I found a 440 for $ 600 and it runs. I personally would love having more power but was wondering if I have to modify anything to fit the bigger motor in besides maybe motor mounts???

[Chryco Psycho]

even the motor mounts work , it will bolt in , be warned though if it is a cast crank engine you will need a balanced torque converter or flywheel

[SmashingPunkFan]

be warned though if it is a cast crank engine you will need a balanced torque converter or flywheel

I don't wanna sound dumb, just curious, why is that?

[Chryco Psycho]

after 72 most 440 used a cast crank these have a thicker front damper with an offset weight to balance the engine , the cast crank is lighter so weight had to be added externally to balance it so both thecrank damper on the front & the flywheel or torque converter were balanced , the steel crank damper is approx 1" thick , the cast dampers is about twice as thick . The intake & dist will not interchange between the B & RB engines

[SmashingPunkFan]

after 72 most 440 used a cast crank these have a thicker front damper with an offset weight to balance the engine , the cast crank is lighter so weight had to be added externally to balance it so both thecrank damper on the front & the flywheel or torque converter were balanced , the steel crank damper is approx 1" thick , the cast dampers is about twice as thick . The intake & dist will not interchange between the B & RB engines

Good to know, good to know. Thanks for explaining. I have a 440 that has a build date of 1-18-71
Would that count as a '71 engine?
Oh, and I've heard that 440's had less HP after a certain date? does that sound familiar? or am I crazy?  


Thanks for the help guys,
Shaun.

[Cooter]

Yes, that SHOULD be a "Steel crank" 440. [Internal balance].

Most of the Cast crank 440's were easily enough spotted by the HUGE front balancer. Shaped kinda tapered. These engines will NOT be able to run a flywheel on 'em without shaking you teeth out. You will need to do EXTENSIVE balancing to convert to internal balance, and drill for pilot, as NONE that I'm aware of were drilled in cast crank form...

[SmashingPunkFan]

I have a 440 that has a build date of 1-18-71
Would that count as a '71 engine? or '72?

Oh, and I've heard that 440's had less HP after a certain date? does that sound familiar? or am I crazy?  


Thanks for the help guys,
Shaun.

I'm just curious about those 2 questions. Someone told me that '72 or '73 440's were weaker than the years before that. Is it true?

[Cooter]

YES....
After 1971, the wonderful EPA caused the demise of the mighty 440. Killed the Hemi outright period.(Emissions standards couldn't meet 'em)...
1970 440 "HP"= about 350-375 HP
1971 440 "HP" - around 335-355 HP
1972 440 "HP"= Around 275-330 HP
1973-78 Steadily got worse until finally, in 1978, the 440 HP was making a wonderful 250 HP...

[SmashingPunkFan]

YES....
After 1971, the wonderful EPA caused the demise of the mighty 440. Killed the Hemi outright period.(Emissions standards couldn't meet 'em)...
1970 440 "HP"= about 350-375 HP
1971 440 "HP" - around 335-355 HP
1972 440 "HP"= Around 275-330 HP
1973-78 Steadily got worse until finally, in 1978, the 440 HP was making a wonderful 250 HP...

Oh my I'm so happy!! I was affraid I had a '72 build block... 


Now howd they do that? Different heads 

[Chryco Psycho]

mostly cam & tuning although different heads & very low compression piston were added to the mix

[Cooter]

Doesn't matter at all if your building a 1966 440, or a 1978 440 with stroker kits today, and pistons that actually come up to the top of the bores.

The "HP" blocks don't mean sh*t, as your gonna replace everything that made them "HP" when time to rebuild....

[darkfiire5000]

Well my buddy has a 318 charger and was wondering if he could put a 440 in there with the stock hood being able to close all the way. If so what modifications would he have to do???

[Chryco Psycho]

not a lot the 440 came in the car originally , just get the right mounts & trans to go with it & bolt it in

[SmashingPunkFan]

Doesn't matter at all if your building a 1966 440, or a 1978 440 with stroker kits today, and pistons that actually come up to the top of the bores.

The "HP" blocks don't mean sh*t, as your gonna replace everything that made them "HP" when time to rebuild....

I was thinking the same thing actually, it's whats inside that counts.