cast crank 440 flywheel?

[Rolling_Thunder]

Alright guys - I have a later 440 - out of a 1977 RV / Truck.  I am curious if the crank is forged or cast. It has the larger harmonic balancer so I assume it is cast.

My other question is does the cast crank 440 of this year require a weighted flywheel? Or does it use a typical flywheel ?

[heyoldguy]

Not exactly weighted, it is drilled to rebalance it.

[Rolling_Thunder]

ah ok -  usually three large shallow holes right ?

[djcarguy]

has to be a rare ,hard to find or bout $375 externally balanced flywheel or you will have all kinds of vibration and later bearing failure.  77 unless already swapped,would be cast and need right dampner and flywheel..good luck

[John_Kunkel]

A neutral-balanced flywheel can be modified for use on a cast crank by drilling a few shallow holes.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Nice - so do the RV engines use the heavy six pack rods?   

[John_Kunkel]

Some people claim they've seen the heavy rods in cast crank 440's but it's not generally accepted.

Some '72 and later car/truck/RV 440's with the forged crank had the heavy rods but they didn't need external balance because the low-compression pistons were lighter and compensated the rod's extra weight.