440 engine generation interchange

[General23cmp]

Obviously they made 440 engines for years. I believe there are three different block casting numbers. I’ve looked at several website talking about them, but I’m unclear what will interchange between them. For example, will all 440 intakes fit all generation blocks? Heads, etc.? I’d like to build a 440 to transplant in my satellite, and just need to know what base to start with, if it really matters. I’ve heard the thin wall idea for later blocks was untrue.

Thanks.

 

[1967coronet]

For what I know the 440s will swap parts through the years. There are some diffs like cast or forged cranks , external/internal balance, water pump outlets on some later truck engines swap sides, motor home 440s... some had extra cooling passages in the heads ect.
Most all of that can be worked around when swaping parts.
There still are many 440 motor home engines out there most are low mile. some are steel crank { early 70s } most are cast crank.

 

[moparedtn]

I’ve heard the thin wall idea for later blocks was untrue.
Thanks.

You would be correct:
http://440source.com/blockinfo.htm

 

[moparedtn]

A bazillion answers to a bazillion questions....
No quick answers until you can be more specific on what you're after?

 

[General23cmp]

A bazillion answers to a bazillion questions....
No quick answers until you can be more specific on what you're after?

Yes that’s one of the websites I read. Not sure what you mean about being more specific. Are parts interchangeable among different block castings? For example, heads, intakes, timing chains, etc. If not, what?

 

[68Moparmaniac]

Yes that’s one of the websites I read. Not sure what you mean about being more specific. Are parts interchangeable among different block castings? For example, heads, intakes, timing chains, etc. If not, what?

I'm pretty sure all 440 external's will interchange ie; block, heads, intakes, timing covers etc. thru production years. It's the internals that change from platform to platform on the RB's. Just about all castings suffer core shift during molding which will constitute some wall thickness variances in all engine blocks... then again it would depend on how many reefers were consumed during lunch

 

[727]

Please chime in if i'm wrong. I think there was an industrial version of the RB. Not sure if it was a 440 426 or 413. The heads on this engine were different than the regular wedge heads.

 

[Cranky]

Not sure if the 440 motor home engine ever came with the high mount water pump or if that was the 413 but the big blocks that came with the high mount pump set up in motor homes had provisions for water flow into the end of the heads.

Also, somewhere along in the mid 70's the crankshaft thrust bearing was changed. Early bearing doesn't fit the later block or vice versa. Dang, you would think that stuff would stay in the memory banks after building several over the years lol. Anyways, the RB engines share a lot of the same parts and even the B series engines do too. One of the biggest differences between the B and RB is intake width.....

 

[Jackpot50]

check Head port size before buying manifold, some had small ports on motorhomes

 

[Cranky]

check Head port size before buying manifold, some had small ports on motorhomes

Lots of different big block heads, that's for sure but didn't realize MH heads had smaller ports.

 

[Cojohnso1]

With the aftermarket aluminum head options? I personally wouldn't consider iron heads on a custom build. If you have a solid sonic checked short block 440? Find a forged crank that balances well? And you are on your way. Many rod and piston combos. Again, just too many nice aluminum heads from Edelbrock, Indy, Brodix that will wake that big wedge motor up. Also, I wouldn’t be scared of considering a stroker option? It's no secret that many believe RB motors are under stroked. Lots of options from a sound 440 block.

 

[moparedtn]

Yes that’s one of the websites I read. Not sure what you mean about being more specific. Are parts interchangeable among different block castings? For example, heads, intakes, timing chains, etc. If not, what?

Generally speaking... for the most part, yes.
However, as you're reading posts from knowledgeable folks, there are exceptions.
As with any family of engines, there's always exceptions, hence my stating to be more specific.