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Can a 440 block from an old LP generator be used in a car?

B

Backpacker

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I have a line on a non running 440 in a scrap LP generator. Aside from the differences between LP and gasoline, are the blocks the same or totally different? It might make for an interesting project...
 
run the block number on 440 source see if it can.
 
without even looking or running numbers I would say yes. it is most likely spotless clean too...(inside). also a hd verison or one of the better castings like police or motor home. how old is the gen set?
 
Pistons and valves/seats should be different. If you rebuild it for gas, you shouldn't have a problem.
 
I would say yes also. My buddy built a 440 a long time ago to run on LPG. Built it the same as a gas other than 11.5 or 12.5-1 pistons. Street Hemi grind purple shaft went into it. Hardened exhaust seats also as propane is hard on ex seats. Its been in his 4x4 ever since. Kim
 
Update: the block casting number is 4006630-440-2. A tag attached to the valve cover shows the generator was made in 1978. So far so good. It appears that the 4 barrel intake had an adapter plate put on it and a large 2 barrel LP carburetor with a belt driven speed governor was used. The seller seems to think it has a cast crank, but he isn't sure since he is a Chevy guy...

BeatersRus, the motor does spin freely. The seller called me last night after he was cranking it over to do a compression check. I wish he hadn't done that since it has not been run in a very long time but he was trying to be helpful. He couldn't get a decent reading on the first two cylinders he checked, so he didn't bother with the other six and called me to tell me it will probably need to be rebuilt.

I am beginning to wonder if this is a 1978 car engine right off the line with no special mods other than the carb.

440 LP Eng.jpg
 
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Nice find going to rebuild it as said above should be clean on the inside. From what I have seen they used blocks from hd side like motorhome etc. Good luck
 
You may even find that it had automatic shut downs on it also to protect it's self in case of a problem which is a extra benefit.
 
Make sure you check crank rotation direction. Many Chrysler industrial engines run counter clockwise rotation.
 
mopar jack said:
Make sure you check crank rotation direction. Many Chrysler industrial engines run counter clockwise rotation.
Click to expand...
Might fined it has adjustable rockers. Friend gave 2 413 marine engines forged cranks adj rockers.
 
mopar jack said:
Make sure you check crank rotation direction. Many Chrysler industrial engines run counter clockwise rotation.
Click to expand...
To my knowledge, only marine engines were reverse rotation due to the props. Industrial (stationary pumps, etc..) should still rotate normally.
 
69Bee said:
To my knowledge, only marine engines were reverse rotation due to the props. Industrial (stationary pumps, etc..) should still rotate normally.
Click to expand...
Yes the marine engines were R/R. If its R/R it will have this dist with this insert to keep oil pump drive from pushing dist shaft. Dist insert on left.
md.jpg
 
A lot of times, big gen sets like this are only used during power outages or other emergencies. It may be very low hours
 
I worked in a large oil refinery and we had a couple of 413 emergency fire water pumps that were reverse rotation.
 
Probably nothing special about the engine internally. Just an LP carb conversion. It was a genset so it probably is very low houred, clean inside because of the LP and it only ran 1800 RPM. Good engine to have.
 
4006630-440 casting # is a 1978.

Not sure about the -2 at the end.

Engine pad stampings might tell more.
 
I would lay dollars to donuts its got a cast crank (1978) its a HD/police/truck block no adjustable rockers and its nothing more special than that. but its a good core to start with. may not even need a rebore
 
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