440 swap questions

I bit the bullet and bought a ‘78 440 yesterday. Taking it to the machine shop for cleaning and inspection this week.

Gonna swap out my 360 (was 318 car) and 904 for the 440/727, and wanted to start a thread for questions. Car is a ‘70 RR clone with 8 1/4 rear end.

My build plan: stock plus: alum intake, headers, and as much cam as I can get with stock valve train (new springs of course) w stock rocker assy.
Not a racer. I love Power Tour and taking long trips so dependability over rides all else.

Question 1 of 100: Engine has a huge thermoquad on it. Is it worth rebuilding or use my 650 Edelbrock AVS2? 650 seems a little small?

Can I use that oil pan or get a center sump?

Will my existing trans cooling lines work? Are they the right length?

My car had AC. Is that 26” radiator big enough?

I assume I can use my existing trans mount?

I’ll have to shorten the drive shaft. Does anyone know by how much? Will the splines match up at the output shaft?

Will my existing torsion bars work? What is the min diameter?

Probably need 440 front shocks?

Already replaced rear leaf springs with 440 springs .

Assuming I can re-use the 360’s power steering pump (+new bracket), alternator (new bracket), fan and clutch, fuel pump? Anything else?

Is going from a 5/16” fuel line to a 3/8” needed? I was going to add a 1/4” vapor line and 3 nipple fuel filter while I’m at it.

Thanks for you time in advance.

Need center sump oil pan, pickup tube and dip stick.
Tranny lines are different between 904 and 727.
26" radiator is good.
Can reuse tranny mount.
D/shaft yoke is different between 904 and 727.
I would go with bigger T.bars. .90 or .92 or bigger.
BB and Sb shocks are the same.
Can reuse P/S and Alt. with BB brackets. Fuel pump, no.
5/16 is fine for a mild build. Have 5/16 on my 72 Satellite 440 with 750 carb and have never ran out of fuel.

moparmarks said:

Need center sump oil pan, pickup tube and dip stick.
Tranny lines are different between 904 and 727.
26" radiator is good.
Can reuse tranny mount.
D/shaft yoke is different between 904 and 727.
I would go with bigger T.bars. .90 or .92 or bigger.
BB and Sb shocks are the same.
Can reuse P/S and Alt. with BB brackets. Fuel pump, no.
5/16 is fine for a mild build. Have 5/16 on my 72 Satellite 440 with 750 carb and have never ran out of fuel.

Click to expand...

Starter?

I jusr read through some carburetor info and see the thermoquad is highly recommended for street use

Sonny said:

Starter?

Click to expand...

I agree with everything said above.
1. Starter will be the same small block vs. big block
2. I would lean towards using the Thermoquad carburetor. The only problem I see is IF you want to run an air grabber hood and/or factory-style air cleaner. I "think" (not positive) that the throat of the Thermoquad carburetor is too big vs. a stock 1970 air grabber (or dual snorkel) air cleaner. Otherwise, a great carburetor.....small primaries for mileage, BIG secondaries for "giddy up" and you already have the correct intake manifold for it on your 440.

I’ve always liked the sound of a Thermoquad at full song! You may eventually want to upgrade that 8 1/4 especially if it’s a non sure grip.

Very nice, hope it goes well for you! Wondering if I should do the same, someday...

moparmarks said:

Need center sump oil pan, pickup tube and dip stick.
Tranny lines are different between 904 and 727.
26" radiator is good.
Can reuse tranny mount.
D/shaft yoke is different between 904 and 727.
I would go with bigger T.bars. .90 or .92 or bigger.
BB and Sb shocks are the same.
Can reuse P/S and Alt. with BB brackets. Fuel pump, no.
5/16 is fine for a mild build. Have 5/16 on my 72 Satellite 440 with 750 carb and have never ran out of fuel.

Click to expand...

I just measured my torsion bars. They measure .90

Update? I'm looking to do the same thing!

Thermoquads have a bad rap IMO. I have an AVS on my 440, but if it acts up or does not perform very well, I would not hesitate to use a thermoquad.