Is it worth it?? 440 Big Block

74MeepMeep · Nov 17, 2015

Hiya,

Got a guy up here selling a 440 Big Block and 4 speed Tranny out of a 1984 Dodge Truck for 1000 bucks. Looks pretty rough (from the pics) but says it runs and drives just fine (still in the truck for test drives, but it's over an hour away from my place and would like some input before making the trip to check it out). I was thinking of Picking this up for my 74 318 Road Runner and putting that in there since the 74 318 Road Runner's were a common thing and not really high up on the Value List. This isn't going to be a by the numbers Restoration on My Road Runner and will eventually be my Daily Driver once I get a motor and tranny in it.

Would a 440 Big Block be worth the 1000 bucks if it does run and purr like a kitten??? I don't have the cash on hand but will see if he will take payments on it or hold it for me till I do run up the cash.

Thanks for any input.

69SportSatellite · Nov 17, 2015

I paid $800 for a smooth running (no smoke, not funny noises) 1967 440 out of an Imperial, with the 727 and all accessories, linkage, and "everything" attached. Has the base (non-HP) 915 heads, but will need a carb rebuild and a tune up. But, it will drop into my '69 B Body courtesy of the Schumacher motor mounts until I figure out how much motor I want to build. If it runs well and is a serviceable motor then I'd say yes...

2012ChargerBlacktop · Nov 17, 2015

It isn't a bad price at all. I also think there is more room for the person to come down in price. However, imho, this is not the greatest swap for being as financially limited as you say. The K frame is different from small to big block, there are motor mounts out there to make it work, I'm betting they aren't cheap though. The usual trans behind the 318's are the 904's which probably won't work with the 440. The 4spd conversion is not at all cheap (I explored this option myself when I had a chance to buy an automatic 74 Satellite for really cheap) and it is a lot of work. But if you have access to a donor 4spd car, maybe it wouldn't be too bad monetarily.
Reliability is also something to consider in a daily driver as well. An iffy engine and trans is not an awesome gamble when it comes to getting to work everyday- also just my opinion. My job doesn't really allow for lateness and/or calling out so reliable transportation is an absolute necessity for me! Good luck!!

GetX'd · Nov 17, 2015

Room to negotiate in my opinion. Another thing to look at is it an HP motor. Probably not it its coming from a truck. Doesn't mean you don't want it - just means room to bargain.

drobertson · Nov 18, 2015

I can get a 440 from some people I know for 200 bucks each. That's what I would do. Buy a motor, rebuild it, and then worry about the transmission.

Cornpatch MO · Nov 18, 2015

You say it has a 4 speed ? what size truck are you talking? If it is a smaller truck with an car sized tranny, most likely it is the Overdrive A833. Not worth much and not much in demand. If it is a 1/2 ton or larger pickup, it wil have a tranny that is unsuitable for a street car. FYI a good non overdrive A833 4 speed is worth $500+ .......................good luck......................MO

tallhair · Nov 18, 2015

Find out what year the motor is and if the trans is OD or not

YY1 · Nov 18, 2015

No 440 after 1978, or am I wrong?

You definitely need to find out what year the engine is.

Agree on the swap issue. You'll need different motor mounts, K frame and torsion bars, or the shumacher mounts and they're about $200 and require cutting the small black K frame making it difficult to go back.

That being said, I bought a running driving 1980 step side with a 1969 440 and an OEM to the truck 833 O/D for $800 bucks last year.

The trans is fine behind that 440 and in that somewhat heavy truck. At Don Garlits 833 O/D units were going for $250 minus clutch setup and bell housing.

I'm collecting parts to do the trans swap into my 73 Satellite.

FWIW the truck shifter mount is pretty close to where the somewhat hard to find "dog bone" 71-74 bench seat mount puts the shifter.

If you are using the console or the rear location you'll need to find that mount and shift rods and likely drill and tap the rear mount holes.

I think 1K is in the ballpark for a running, driving 440 and trans, provided it doesn't have issues, and could be an even better deal if it's an older one.

Bruzilla · Nov 18, 2015

74MeepMeep said:
Hiya,

Got a guy up here selling a 440 Big Block and 4 speed Tranny out of a 1984 Dodge Truck for 1000 bucks. Looks pretty rough (from the pics) but says it runs and drives just fine (still in the truck for test drives, but it's over an hour away from my place and would like some input before making the trip to check it out). I was thinking of Picking this up for my 74 318 Road Runner and putting that in there since the 74 318 Road Runner's were a common thing and not really high up on the Value List. This isn't going to be a by the numbers Restoration on My Road Runner and will eventually be my Daily Driver once I get a motor and tranny in it.

Would a 440 Big Block be worth the 1000 bucks if it does run and purr like a kitten??? I don't have the cash on hand but will see if he will take payments on it or hold it for me till I do run up the cash.

Thanks for any input.

Ask him for the casting number and the casting date off the engine. That will let you know what the engine is since it's not original to the truck.

I would offer the guy $800, which he'll likely take, and then sell the transmission to someone looking for one and take that money to buy a 727.

74MeepMeep · Nov 18, 2015

Thanks everyone for your input, I knew about motor mounts and K Member differences and going from a AT to a MT. No Donor Car to help with that unfortunately. Not sure about the casting numbers on the motor as it's still in the truck and from the pics he sent, it's a tight fit in there. Not sure on what size Truck it is but plan on calling him maybe tonight and asking more questions and possibly shooting him a 750 offer on it, depends on if he takes it out, or I take it out LOL. Worse comes to worse, I could always use in in my 89 D350 that has the 360/904 in it. Since the 306 needs a top end job on it eventually. Daily Driver for me isn't really driving every day. Maybe an occasional Trip to the VA down in sturgis to Doctor's appts and stuff.

YY1 · Nov 18, 2015

Look on the raised pad in front of the intake on the driver side. It will be stamped with a letter an "440" plus maybe a Maltese cross or other character.
The letter in front of the 440 is the code for the year.

plymouthman · Nov 18, 2015

You will also need the correct length driveshaft.
I have a 73 roadrunner. Basically the same car that u have. It was originally a 340 car.
Swapped in the big block k frame for the 440. Also has to find a big block driveshaft and had it cut down and re balance . the 904 is shorter than the 727. Then comes the u joint and slip yoke issue.

uwss · Nov 18, 2015

Buy a 440 engine and rebuild it or buy a hemi and rebuild it or buy a late model hemi out of a wrecked charger and do the conversion. Do one step, then the next, so on and so on. I bought a 440 for 100 bucks, took it to the machine shop, bought what I wanted and so far it has been a good engine.

Is it worth it?? 440 Big Block

74MeepMeep

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69SportSatellite

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2012ChargerBlacktop

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GetX'd

Making Life Great Again!

drobertson

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Cornpatch MO

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tallhair

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YY1

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Bruzilla

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74MeepMeep

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YY1

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plymouthman

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uwss

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