RE: 440 help

[SB <polecat2@xxxxxxxx>]

I forgot to mention, according to Chrysler literature I used to have, 
these motorhome 440's also used the superior truck crankshaft.  The 
difference is they were shot-peened, I think.  In any event, I do 
remember they were standard cranks put through extra toughening 
procedures.  I think the connecting rods, also, if memory serves 
correctly.



SB wrote:
> 
> I have disassembled, and rebuilt, a number of 1970's vintage 440 
> motorhome engines, and can attest to the following (based on my personal 
> experience, which doesn't make the following absolute):
> 
> 1.  They all use the same pistons as the same year 440 car engines.  413 
> motorhome engines use unique, dished pistons in the 7.0:1 compression 
> range, but not the 440 motorhome engines.
> 2.  The blocks on these engines are machined slightly differently, and 
> hold more anti-freeze than the same year 440 car engines.
> 3.  These engines seem to be devoid of most polution controls.  For 
> example, I had an intake manifold and carb from a 1978 version that was 
> clean.  No EGR, no air pump nonsense, etc.  The Thermoquad carbs are 
> free of polution controls and Lean Burn nonsense, and even have a ported 
> vacuum advance line.  If you know Thermoquads, that is pretty rare.
> 4.  Now, the best part.  440 motorhome engines use the best factory 
> heads you could ask for, save the Max Wedge heads.  If your engine is a 
> 1973, it probably has 213 heads on it (if I remember the casting number 
> correctly), which are motorhome versions of the 346 head.  They flow at 
> least on par with the car heads, and run cooler.  Later 452 motorhome 
> heads are, in my opinion, the gold standard of big block heads.  Fastest 
> way to check if you've got real good ones--if the heads use "peanut" 
> style, little spark plugs, you've got a real winner.  RV12YC, I think.
> 
> Bottom line: Your 1973 motorhome 440 is superior to a 1973 440 car 
> engine in many respects, and equal to it in all the rest.  My friends 
> and I hunt these things down.


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