440 engine to 1973 charger

[paspau]

HI,

I am going to replace my 383 (or 318) engine to 440 engine. And also transmission.
Is there a lot of thinking about? How about exhaust (3 inch) or exhaust manifold?? And other things to notice?
Valve covers from old motor is 50 cm away from each other and new motor it is 55cm. So is it possibe to fit new engine over there?
I mean there is exhaust manifold and power steering to meet together
Opinions?

[BLK 68 R/T]

Going to a 440 from a 383 or 318? It will take a few small changes from 383 to 440 and major changes from a 318 to 440.

[Nacho-RT74]

you are getting worried about the lest important at this momet.

B bodies were made to fit big blocks... no need to worry about the width between valve covers.

is a diff stuff go from 383/400 to 440, than 318/340/360 to 440, starting for the transmision. If 383/400 the tranny will be the same to the 440. If 318/340/360, transmision needs to be changed allong with engine.

Exhaust won't be a problem, anything can be changed and matched.

since 73 the engine mounts locations changes between big blocks and small blocks, but engine mounts adaptors are available

Radiator will change the outlets. Big blocks uses also a wider radiator

engine harness changes to but can be modified

if the 440 gets all the miscelaneous parts, you wont have to worry about, but if not, distributor and brackets are diff, although power stering pump and alternator can be the same.

depending on 440 year the water pump housing could be diff allong with the belts setup for 73s. If you have a 383/400 won't have a problem on that because should be already matched to the car.

Some suspension upgrades will be advices, such as thicker sway and torsion bars.

[randy73]

Also, if you are going from a small block to big block, you will need a new driveshaft.

[paspau]

Thanks for your replies.
Originally in my car was 400 engine. (VIN code says so)
So i think that there is no problem to change 440 engine.
Right now there is probably 383 engine.
Anyway... I have this 440 engine and new transmission also. So that's not a problem.

[green69rt]

Just throwing out an option.  Instead of getting another engine, put the money into a stroker kit for your 400.  If your old block is in good shape then 400 is a great block and you could easily get it to 440 cubes with no changes under the hood.  If you're looking for cubes, then why not push it a little further and go to a 470 kit or even 512 kit.  Now you have something to work with!     Then all the current parts work.   Having said that, if you do go stroker, then eventually you'll need to beef up other things but you won't have to, immediately go out and buy a bunch of conversion parts.   You can add them as you sort things out (or as you break them with the big motor.)

Here's one source....

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

Oops, just saw that you already have a 440 so I would bet the stroker is off the table. 

[paspau]

I took radiator (cooler) today off. And some stuff over there.
I am trying to fit my new engine with new transmission together to my car but i noticed that front of the housing is not removable.
First I thought that it was holded by those few bolt...
But no. It was welded over there. How to hell I'am going to fit that motor with transmission over there?
Of course I can cut those front housing and then weld them together again? Or is there better solution?

[E5 Charger]

You don't have to cut it, just lift it high enough to clear the front. It seems high, but it can be done. If your engine hoist is having a problem with it, that engine is heavy, you could remove the transmission. Once you have the engine in place you can roll the transmission in place from under the car and bolt it back on. It's a little tricky getting them to seat properly, but makes the engine install much easier.

[paspau]

Ok, I went to to the cutting solutions...
Now, I have space to work out. But something to weld after this.
In monday I will remove the old engine.

Then some paint to the engine room. All Go Green as the car is.
And after that I need some new parts... As new radiator (old seems... so old).
New carburetor... And so on... This is so cheap hobby;)