ChrisG

I know Im probably blowing up this forum and probably seem like I dont know anything. I have a little help from my brother that has rebuilt an engine himself.
Anyways I found a 440 7.2 engine for sale for $1660.95
Its not the complete engine, but its not just the block. But of what is there, is rebuilt.
Heres a photo of it

http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/.../mop-383lb.jpg

Im not a mechanic but, I know many of you on here are great with engines. I would like to know a rough estimate of how much it would cost to finish the engine in the picture.
I have a 318 in my car right now, and if I were to switch to a 440. I would like to know what all would have to be changed (transmission, bell housing, radiator) all that and how much it would cost.
Thanks

Garys69RR

Hi Im Gary and have rebuilt a few 440s. I think its best to research the engines before you spend alot of money. That motor is probably a low compression 8 to 1 440.It has the fel pro blue head gsk, which is about .045 inch thick. It should run ok but are you lookin 4 alot of torque and power? I use the Mopar .020 gasket which gives a little more compression/power. This is just 1 of many things to consider when building a motor. What kind of car u puttin it in?

Garys69RR

Also appears 2 have a stock timing chain. Most H P 440 builders use a double roller timing chain. Stronger, more durable, and of course more money! lol

ChrisG

1965 dodge coronet 440.

TVLynn

That's what they call a long block. Depending on what it is you may want to change the cam ? With all the extras needed for the conversion It's not cheap Figure another $1000 to finish the motor - intake,oil pan, carb, dist Different mounts for accessories and another $3k for conversion parts Trans, radiator, exhaust, motor mounts, drive shaft and the small stuff

ChrisG

When you say transmission, did you mean the whole transmission or just he bell housing for it?

Commando

I am not sure about that price, as when I bought mine a few years a go I got an engine and trans for about $700 from a car with 38k miles on it, and I spent $900 on the machine work(dunked, internally balance new crank, new cam, all seals, expansion plugs, timed), but had replaced everything but the block and timing cover.

bremereric

One good place to go before you go too far is Engine Swaps Made Easy. For about 900 bucks you will get motor mounts, torque strap and headers all in one package. Their suggestion to beef up your brakes, tranny, drive shaft and rear end is a must.

http://www.engine-swaps.com/

69POLARA383

You need to think about what is most important to you in terms of purposing the car. Are you looking to just have an as is road rat, a numbers matching car or resto/mod? If your looking to just get a motor to run thats probably a little pricey, you could do better buying used but probably not by much, few hundred bucks, but it ALL helps. If you are trying to build a solid street/strip motor and dont care if its numbers matching go with a 400ci, the stock block can hold way more hp & tq than 383 & 440's. I built my 440 for about 10-11k, only things that are original are block and head castings though, plus a 528 stroker kit. You could probably do a 440 build/swap for around 5k if you do some research and if your not looking to get crazy with hp (use cast crank). Try to find used parts online and at 440 source. If you do go with a 440, try to find a complete one, if its from a truck its ok too, just change intake, cam, 906 heads & pistons. Just as a for instance, you could find a 440 block (300-400), stock 906 or 452 heads (100-200) use cast crank and stock ly rods (maybe 100), replace pistons with aluminum flat tops and you r right at where you would be (long block) for about a third the price and would probably be running around 400 hp after all is said and done. Budget build

440roadrunner

In addition to the above, you can get some fairly awesome power out of a SB these days, stroke a 360 out to 426, etc. A HECK of a lot easier to work on in an A than a RB

PK1

I concur, you could stroke that 318 to 390. Make 400 HP very easy and it would be very light on the front end. Its internal balance and if the block is running and straight machine work will be minimal. You already have the trans and all the accessories. I think this would be cheapest.

I dont know what a 440 weighs but you may have to change suspension settings and cooling system needs...

Hey, Im not discouraging you...not at all. Ive done some swaps and they're fun but when I priced them after the fact the little pieces jacked up the cost big time..

Use to drop the 5.0 and add the 5.8 to Mustangs as a kid to pay the bills. We got smart and stroked the 5.0 to 347 and cut costs big time and only lost 4 cubic inches.

ChrisG

also, I forgot to mention, that engine would have a 7 year/70,000 mile warranty.

Bruzilla

Rule number one with cars is never spend your own money if you don't have to. The economy is in the tank, gas prices are climbing, unemployment is at record highs, all of which are bad things for the country as a whole, but great for folks looking to pick up bargains for their cars as they create a buyer's market.

There are a lot of 440s for sale out there. I would keep looking if I were you, and wait for one that someone else has dumped their money into and is ready to install to become available. That sure beats paying top dollar for an engine like this, then paying even more before you can even install it.

As to the swap itself, I did the conversion a few years back (318 to 440). The more complete the 440 is, the better off you'll be as it sucks getting nickle and dimed for brackets, accessories, etc. Also, look for a built up and complete 440 that comes with a transmission (that's what I did).

Once you have the complete engine and tranny, you'll need 440 motor mounts, probably need a different driveshaft, and you will definately need to get a 440 radiator. Your 318 radiator will not keep a 440 cool (I know that from personal experience). You also will need to upgrade your front suspension as the weight of the 440 is different than the 318 and can cause handling issues (at least if did in my Roadrunner). Lastly, you'll need to have some exhaust work done to mate up the 440 exhaust to the stock 318 pipes.

bboogieart

Gonna need a big block trans to go with it=more money. Gonna want to make it stop & steer, befor you make it go faster. Brakes and suspension. Try to enjoy what you have, and learn as you go. That $1,660.oo could be sitting in a savings account gaining interest.

bboogieart

do they make stroker kits for the 65 Poly 318?

(quote)have some exhaust work done to mate up the 440 exhaust to the stock 318 pipes.)
Gonna need a new system, stock poly would be a single system.=more money.

PK1

I don't know anyone has an on the shelf kit but it will take the LA 318/340 4 inch crank. It also will take a .090 bore ( i think).. If so you are at 402 ( some one check my math please).

Garys69RR

You can find a complete and running 440 with 727 auto for 600.00 in most larger cities. Look on C List and newspapers. Then evaluate the engine and build it from there. The 77 440 I have came with 452 heads. Put on 906 ported heads, RPM intake, Edelbrock carb and it runs great. Shop around.