Maybe buying a 440

[73Runner4spd]

A guy actually came down to my shop this morning knowing that I have a mopar and asked if I was interested in a 440 out of a late model motor home, along with an automatic tranny I told him not particularly because I didnt think I would have the coin for it. It has 43,000 miles on it and he said he needs room in his storage container so 200 bucks and its mine. comes carb to pan with an auto tranny. I'm assuming its worth $200 for a performance build later on. Would anyone else jump on it or is it a waste of time? Thanks

 

[rsd859]

I would snatch it up, tell him you cant spend more than 150

 

[73Runner4spd]

Building this once its bare would be the same as any other 440 right? I have all the peripherals for a b engine, so I think id just need an rb intake and distributor right? I have a fresh set of 915 heads that I think would be killer on a new bottom end for that 440

 

[Cranky]

Yeah, it's worth 200 bucks. Just make sure it's a 440....at least ask what year motor home it's from. Also, if it has the high mount water pump setup that also goes to the heads, it's probably a 413. Same stroke as a 440 but has a smaller bore plus the heads are pretty much useless for a car. The later models have heads that are more like automotive heads. If it still has the exhaust manifolds and are not cracked, you can usually sells those to someone that still has a motor home. They usually crack over time. On the trans, they usually came with the 4 planetary gear sets and have larger drums with the extra clutch in the pack but they will have the short tail shaft with the bolt on yoke so that will have to be changed out if you want to use it in a car.

 

[73Runner4spd]

Yeah, it's worth 200 bucks. Just make sure it's a 440....at least ask what year motor home it's from. Also, if it has the high mount water pump setup that also goes to the heads, it's probably a 413. Same stroke as a 440 but has a smaller bore plus the heads are pretty much useless for a car. The later models have heads that are more like automotive heads. If it still has the exhaust manifolds and are not cracked, you can usually sells those to someone that still has a motor home. They usually crack over time. On the trans, they usually came with the 4 planetary gear sets and have larger drums with the extra clutch in the pack but they will have the short tail shaft with the bolt on yoke so that will have to be changed out if you want to use it in a car.

He said 79 but I have heard that they didnt use 440s in 79 so Ill check the block numbers before I throw any money at it. Would be going in front of a 4 spd tranny after its built. Thank you

 

[WP29440SE]

He said 79 but I have heard that they didnt use 440s in 79 so Ill check the block numbers before I throw any money at it. Would be going in front of a 4 spd tranny after its built. Thank you

heres what to look for on the ID pad next to the distributor

SERIES:
S = 1962
T = 1963
V = 1964
A = 1965
B = 1966
C = 1967
D = 1968
E = 1969
F = 1970
G = 1971
H = 1972
J = 1973
4T = 1974
5T = 1975
6T = 1976
7T = 1977
8T = 1978

OTHER STAMPINGS:
Diamond = 0.008-in. oversize tappets
Maltese Cross = 0.001-in. undersized crankshaft
Maltese Cross and an X = 0.010 undersized crankshaft
A = 0.020-in. oversized cylinder bore
B = 0.010-in. undersized main and rod bearings
E = cast crankshaft
H = standard 4bbl
HP = high performance
LC = low compression
O.S. = 0.005 oversized valve stems
P = premium fuel recommended
R = regular grade fuel may be used
S = special engine
WT or TW = water test
X = oversized valve guides

ASSEMBLY PLANTS:
K = Toluca
PT = Trenton
M = Mound Road
T = Trenton (400 and 440 only)
MV or MN = Marysville

 

[73Runner4spd]

You sir, are the man. I should be going out in a few hours to check it out, Ill keep you guys posted. Hopefully I can find a factory forged crank. Ive got my eyes set on a set of brand new I beam mopar 4340 rods for 300 bucks and Ill do the pistons last as those are off the shelf items.

 

[Dukeboy]

SOME of the later motorhome 440's were cast crank engines, and were never intended to go in front a 4-speed. Also, SOME, not all, but some STEEL crank 440's were also NOT BORED for 4-speeds in Motorhome engines. I have a 1974 440 out of MH, that is NOT bored and is a steel crank engine.

 

[73Runner4spd]

SOME of the later motorhome 440's were cast crank engines, and were never intended to go in front a 4-speed. Also, SOME, not all, but some STEEL crank 440's were also NOT BORED for 4-speeds in Motorhome engines. I have a 1974 440 out of MH, that is NOT bored and is a steel crank engine.

Yeah I anticipated having to find a factory forged crank elsewhere as I highly doubt this engine would have it forged or bored for a 4 speed.

 

[73Runner4spd]

If I go this route I would be trying to do it on somewhat of a budget. What do you guys think are the best 4-500$ pistons, kb hypers, speed pro forged etc. I figured if I could go .030 try to get 10.0 compression and use a .509 cam with the 915 heads this would be a fairly stout engine or I am completely wrong. It will be a street car that goes to the strip a few times a year.

 

[Budnicks]

build it for how you intend to use it, pistons, heads, camshaft & valve-train components, trans &/or converter, gears, headers, induction & fuel system {also suspension & rims/tires} etc... they all need to match... IMHO there are better cam & head combos, but it really depends on many different factors, but yes those can & will work, for a little stouter than stock combo.... it's far more than just pistons & a camshaft that needs to be considered, like the parts listed above... what's your budget ??, what's your expectations ??, are you going to run power-brakes &/or power-steering &/or A/C ??, is it going to be mainly just a street car, with only occasional track time ??, or a real street strip car ??, what type/size of exhaust ??... ask yourself these questions & just make sure you do your research, talk to the experts, before buy parts willy nilly... cylinder heads & porting are a big part of the combo working to it's best potential... that's my $0.02 cents... maybe contact Mancini Racing tech line 588-790-4100, they wont steer you wrong...

 

[Dukeboy]

If I go this route I would be trying to do it on somewhat of a budget. What do you guys think are the best 4-500$ pistons, kb hypers, speed pro forged etc. I figured if I could go .030 try to get 10.0 compression and use a .509 cam with the 915 heads this would be a fairly stout engine or I am completely wrong. It will be a street car that goes to the strip a few times a year.

I'd try and get a more "up-to-date" camshaft profile rather than use the "Purple Shaft"(I assume this is what you refer to as ".509" cam). While they make decent power, we have much better now.
As for pistons, I do not like the KB's. I prefer a tried and true, dump it in and forget 'em, forged slug. Compression is a good start @ 10.0:1.
Will taker ALOT of head work to get anywhere NEAR the flow of an out-of-the-box Stealth head. If I had it to do over, I'd be running the Stealths, with different hardware on 'em.

 

[Cranky]

He said 79 but I have heard that they didnt use 440s in 79 so Ill check the block numbers before I throw any money at it. Would be going in front of a 4 spd tranny after its built. Thank you

They weren't supposed to be built after late 78 early 79 but that doesn't mean they were not used. I've seen a couple of 79 pickups that had big blocks in them and the motor home industry bought a supply of them when they heard production was ending so it's very possible a newer than 78 MH had one....

 

[67Satty]

You could go really low buck with this and try and just put your 915s on it and run it as is. Use the steel-shim head gaskets that are .020" to boost the compression a little more and use one of the Hughes Whiplash cams that are meant to boost cylinder pressure on low-compression motors. Add a Performer RPM or Holley Strip Dominator intake (there's one on Moparts right now for $75), a 750 or 850 Holley, some used headers and go to town.

Or the next step up the price ladder, get some TRW 2355 pistons, these will be close to zero deck and with your 915s, the compression ratio would probably be just over 10:1.

Or the next step up the price ladder, get some lighter pistons and use your 915s.

Or the next step up, use some lighter pistons and 440Source Stealth heads.

Or the next step up, get a stroker crank to go with the above.

I guess it depends how fast you want to go and how much you want to spend - the usual story for us all.

 

[383man]

If I go this route I would be trying to do it on somewhat of a budget. What do you guys think are the best 4-500$ pistons, kb hypers, speed pro forged etc. I figured if I could go .030 try to get 10.0 compression and use a .509 cam with the 915 heads this would be a fairly stout engine or I am completely wrong. It will be a street car that goes to the strip a few times a year.

My old 440 was close to that build. I used KB pistons and 906 heads I ported myself. Had the MP .557 solid cam with a Holley Street Dominator intake and a 850 DP carb. That combo ran a best of 11.49 @ 116 in my 3700 lb 63 Sport Fury. Ron