340 to 440 Swap, Its actually happening. EDIT: not happening

[wsutard]

Ok so some of you on here have seen me go on and on about swapping out the 340 in my 69 Coronet for a 440, you know, to match the emblems!

Anyway, found a local trade partner and looks like this is going to happen. He has a 74 440 out of a truck with only 40k miles on it. Along with that he is going to provide a new holly double pumper, intake, headers, 6 pack pistons and rods and odds and ends.

The 440 needs to be cleaned and gone through so I guess I am going to not only learn how to yank the engine and trans out the bottom but also how to build up a 440!

I was originally hoping to find a 440 that didn't need any work but this will be fun also.

I'm going to use this thread to document the process and so everyone can have a laugh as I am sure I will mess something up.

Honestly, this engine had me gulping but I'm just going to suck it up.

Can't believe I am going to do this!

 

[furryfrog]

Good luck with the swap.
FYI, The truck 440 accessories are different. The car 440's water pump intake is on the drivers side not the passenger side. I would not consider the six pack rods and pistons as anything special, they are heavy as F**k. Being a 74 truck motor, most likely cast crank and externally balanced, low comp, low hp engine. A 727 for a big block has a different bolt pattern than one for a small block. Do the headers fit your car?

What are your goals for building an engine up? Depending on your plan you may end up only using the block,
If your 340 was a good motor, you may want to consider keeping it. Depends on your area but that motor is most likely not worth much in its present form, maybe $500 if it runs well, $700'ish if comes with a 727 bolted to it.
You should consider the cost of thicker torsion bars for your swap as well, mounts ect..

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for you putting a big block in your car.

 

[Bb70charger500]

What's the 340 info ? I might be interested if you want it gone

 

[Mike67]

With only 40k on what all needs to be done? I would clean it up and let it eat until it needs it.... Maybe invest in some heads and a cam...
What are you wanting the engine (440) to do?

 

[wsutard]

Ok. Now you guys got me having second thoughts.

Ok here is my motor.

Rebuilt 4 years ago
67 340 out of a 68 GTS
Keith Black pistons
H Beam Rods
Forged Steel Crank
X heads (2.02 intake)
Crowler Cam with 285 dur 480 lift and 110 deg
Titanium Valves
Hooker Headers
Edelbrock 1406 Carb
Edelbrock Intake

I originally wanted a 440 in like condition and build. Then I realized that I wasn't going to find one.

My goal is to trade into something close to this without spending a ton of money. http://www.hotrod.com/articles/how-you-can-build-a-stout-537hp-street-440/

 

[wsutard]

Supposedly the 440 has a forged crank. But I'm not sure how you can tell without it being torn down.

I was leery of if being a truck motor.

I realize that I won't find a like 440 for trade so what should I shoot to find?

 

[wsutard]

What's the 340 info ? I might be interested if you want it gone

I don't neaseserily want it gone. It's a good 340. I just want a 440.

 

[wsutard]

I did more research and I can't justify trading my built 340 for a non built 440 so I called the trade off.

Still looking for a trade but no leads as of yet.

 

[dvw]

Ok. Now you guys got me having second thoughts.

Ok here is my motor.

Rebuilt 4 years ago
67 340 out of a 68 GTS
Keith Black pistons
H Beam Rods
Forged Steel Crank
X heads (2.02 intake)
Crowler Cam with 285 dur 480 lift and 110 deg
Titanium Valves
Hooker Headers
Edelbrock 1406 Carb
Edelbrock Intake

I originally wanted a 440 in like condition and build. Then I realized that I wasn't going to find one.

My goal is to trade into something close to this without spending a ton of money. http://www.hotrod.com/articles/how-you-can-build-a-stout-537hp-street-440/

Ok. Now you guys got me having second thoughts.

Ok here is my motor.

Rebuilt 4 years ago
67 340 out of a 68 GTS
Keith Black pistons
H Beam Rods
Forged Steel Crank
X heads (2.02 intake)
Crowler Cam with 285 dur 480 lift and 110 deg
Titanium Valves
Hooker Headers
Edelbrock 1406 Carb
Edelbrock Intake

I originally wanted a 440 in like condition and build. Then I realized that I wasn't going to find one.

My goal is to trade into something close to this without spending a ton of money. http://www.hotrod.com/articles/how-you-can-build-a-stout-537hp-street-440/

Why would this motor have titanium valves (at roughly $100 each) on such a mild motor?
Doug

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

My bet is it's the keeper's, not the valves themselves.

 

[Bruzilla]

Well, if your life goes like mine did, you are not going to find a trade. There's an army of guys looking to go from a 340 to a 440 for every one guy going the other way. Your best bet is to sell your 340 and use that money to buy a good 440.

Another suggestion is but a complete running engine and trans at one time. I know a lot of guys who've made the error of buying a nice built up engine and then had to spend hundreds more getting all the accessories, brackets, and hardware needed to install it.

What I did was buy a 1973 Chrysler Town & Country that the previous owner had warmed over the engine on, then parked it after he ran something over and cut the brake lines. Asking price was $1,200, I talked the owner down to $800, I've made almost $1,800 selling parts off it before I scrapped the carcass, so I got my engine and trans, all the parts I needed, for free and had spare money for headers, Performer intake, new carb, and other upgrades.

 

[wsutard]

Well, if your life goes like mine did, you are not going to find a trade. There's an army of guys looking to go from a 340 to a 440 for every one guy going the other way. Your best bet is to sell your 340 and use that money to buy a good 440.

Another suggestion is but a complete running engine and trans at one time. I know a lot of guys who've made the error of buying a nice built up engine and then had to spend hundreds more getting all the accessories, brackets, and hardware needed to install it.

What I did was buy a 1973 Chrysler Town & Country that the previous owner had warmed over the engine on, then parked it after he ran something over and cut the brake lines. Asking price was $1,200, I talked the owner down to $800, I've made almost $1,800 selling parts off it before I scrapped the carcass, so I got my engine and trans, all the parts I needed, for free and had spare money for headers, Performer intake, new carb, and other upgrades.

I might think about this in the future when cash flow is greater.

 

[moper]

I think it was smart not to trade for a core engine. But - I also think a 440 built similar will be worth more than the 340. So be prepared - it's not an even swap.

 

[wsutard]

I think it was smart not to trade for a core engine. But - I also think a 440 built similar will be worth more than the 340. So be prepared - it's not an even swap.

I'm prepared to put up some cash to augment the right 440. It's just finding the right one that will take time. I might decide to build it from scratch before a trade comes along.

 

[moper]

Personally I do not put high value on others' rebuilds unless a) know the builder and/or b) have seen/driven/ridden in the car it's coming from. If it was me I'd sell the 340 outright (and expect to get lowballed by people that share my opinion...lol) and build what you want. There's not that much difference on the whole when you're starting with a core engine between a 340 and 440. Some BB parts are more, but many are the same and some are actually cheaper.