So... What did I find?

[Grim Jhaixus]

I'm doing a swap, pulling the durable and economical 318 from it's native 73 Charger and swapping in the ancient dynasaur 440 from a same year New Yorker. Of course, there have been setbacks (like my 727 getting thrown out) but that's not what this thread is about. I finally get the block in the shop for the .030 and new cam bearings and new freezeplugs and all that and the same day (that's how you know I'm not lying) I stumble over a strong running complete 440 with it's fraternal 727 from a 1970 Travco in a neighborhood scrapyard. I'm not going to say what price cuz it was too good. My question (always with the questions... I am ever aware of my own ignorance!) is does anyone know what it is? I mean steel crank, forged rods, is there such a thing as 4-bolt mains 440?

It's not too important really, cuz I'll find out most of that when I swap on a new oil pan. But the reason I suspect it may be different than the absolute base is because the 727 had a very short and weird looking tailshaft. I imagine I'll also be swapping in a new TC. Worst-case senario, I'll be sure to tell you all what I find.

[Tilar]

I'm guessing a Travco is a motorhome? The tailshaft housing probably has a mount on top where the tranny hangs from the cross member instead of sitting on top of it.  Also be sure it's a 440 and not a 413, they were popular in motorhomes.

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

First... I've been trying to buy a 1970 Travco for years now... read here....www.barnfinds.org.

But in 1970 the Travco would have a 413 not a 440.  The 440 was not installed until 1973 unless someone swapped it in.

Those travco's are cool and fetch a bit of $$.... if they are willing to sell the whole thing let me know.

Ryan

[kab69440]

Nothing wrong with a 413. Grab it if you can. As long as it can breathe well, it'll bury your smogger 440.

[XS29L]

Grab it for sure. Many 727 transmissions used in truck , motorhome and C-body (with tow package) come with 4 pinion planetaries instead of 3.   

[Grim Jhaixus]

413 doesn't bother me at all. And that would explain why it was missing the stamp in the side of the block that said "440" like my bare block does. Guess I should call it an "RB" conversion from now on!

And the Travco itself was stripped down and scrapped, despite being in good driving condition. All I ever saw of it was a set of wheels, the body completely gone. Sorry. I did ask what was wrong with it and all I heard was that it was really nasty, geasy, moldy, and then got a detailed story of the how the kid who I bought this motor from found all manner of porn and sex toys inside.

I know what tailshaft you mean, but no. It's short with a peice of sleave that comes backwards off the spinning part of the output shaft. I'll take a picture, could be this is the normal one and the one from my 73 New Yorker was the weirdo?

Thanks a lot guys, a 413 is no loss to me. It means I'll still have a reason to build my 440!

[FLG]

Check on craigslist...you could find some nice 440's all day if you look hard enough. At one point i had 5-6 of em laying around. I wouldnt spend more than $300 on a 440 that needs a rebuild, and you can score a 727 for dirt cheap (50-100$) and rebuild it yourself in a weekend.

[Grim Jhaixus]

I already have a block and heads for 440.

Turns out that funny part on the 727 is a driveshaft bake.