440 rear valley pan rail notches?

[Beekeeper]

Ok so I see the rear valley pan on 440 blocks notched and some are not. What is the reason for this? First pic is a 67 second pic is a 77 and third is a 66

 

[69Bee]

I chalk it up to how the factory fixture the block for machining it. I a process changed, or machine at a different plant could account for the last on not having the notches.

 

[tonysrt]

Newer blocks are probably notched to save weight and improve fuel economy. The pollitians made them do it.

 

[Cranky]

Newer blocks are probably notched to save weight and improve fuel economy. The pollitians made them do it.

 

[Beekeeper]

my 69 HP doesn’t have them and i have a 72 HP that does

 

[Bobby Sixkiller]

What’s with the notch in the bell housing mount. All I’ve seen were just round.

 

[khryslerkid]

You have these notches...

Then you have this offset...

My '67 440 hp doesn't have either.

 

[gkent]

Newer blocks are probably notched to save weight and improve fuel economy.

OH YEAH, those few GRAMS are gonna do loads for fuel economy !!!

 

[Ghostrider 67]

Here's my 1973 440 block....

 

[Beekeeper]

The offset at the top of the bellhousing came around 75 as far as I know. Them notches in the rear valley pan rail puzzle me.

 

[Bobby Sixkiller]

I have 73 and 78 blocks that don’t have the notch in the bell mount. I’ve never seen that before. Strange

 

[Ghostrider 67]

Ahhh...the mysteries of Ma MOPAR!

 

[Ghostrider 67]

I sent an e mail to 440 SOURCE about it with a picture attached that has arrows pointing at the notches...stay tuned.. Ghost

 

[Cranky]

Targets for some machining operation that they thought was going to help with setup and then decided it wasn't working out so they quit using it?

 

[Ghostrider 67]

If it was a grip point for moving the block around the factory then they would all have them I would think...

 

[Beekeeper]

After looking at a bunch of blocks I’ve not found a rhyme or reason why those two notches are there.
It doesn’t seem to matter what year the blocks are
some have them some don’t.

 

[WP29440SE]

OH YEAH, those few GRAMS are gonna do loads for fuel economy !!!

LOL!

 

[Ghostrider 67]

Nothings mounted back there that would need the indents... a blank block might need to be moved around but then all would have them. Casting release the same deal...intakes that have something that sets in there?

 

[Daves69]

Maybe positive stops for a repair stand?

 

[Ghostrider 67]

Was thinking ...if the block is upside down on a platform those would be handy spots for a jig to have posts sticking up from the table to hold the block in the correct position...along with similar indentations elsewhere? are there any on the front?