Hello Mopar nuts. I have a question for you. The opportunity to buy a running 440 out of a 73 champion rv complete w/ all the running gear for 200 bucks (i have to pull it). I have a 383 out of a 69 b-body. I want to build a big block stroker engine for my 69 coronetand wanted to go with the bigger of the two. Any imput would be welcome.

 

Welcome manuel ... what part of FL you in ??.... Are you SURE that is a 440 in that 73 RV ?

 

thanks! i know its a big block for sure. i have the vin tag off of the body but no luck on my research, using the vin. i attepted to crawl underneath to check the # but it has a hive w/ wasps! and i wont get into the spiders this thing has takeing up res. next time i go ill take some more ammo! looks wider like an RB. it does look considerably bigger than my 383 too. im in jacksonville we just got hit by t.s. fay and some tornados.

 

My Q about the 440 was for this reason ... it is likely that the motor is NOT a 440 .. but a 413. Can you look at the motor from the top ?

 

i do remember what it looks like. the actual rv is about an hour away from me. but im always buy there, its a friend of my cousins. what year did they make 413s up to? from what ive heard 413s make pritty potent motors. ive also heard they come with week connecting rods and that they tend to be the most temporamental out of the rbs. probably just wives tales? so what signs should i look for? do you know if the vin would give me any hints? buy the way thank you for any and all help!

 

MOST Dodge truck chassis up until 73 used a 413. In 74 .. they used a 440... it was cheaper to build !! The limiting HP factor on the 413 are the heads. They are NOT very good HP parts at all. But they were good for what they were designed for. Weak rods ? .. old wives tale !! What to look for ? Can you see a massive water pump from the top? .. how about spark-plugs from the TOP of the motor?

 

Ooooops ......almost forgot. Are there any other parts off this MH ? ... like a frig or roof AC ? ... etc ? ..

 

thanks doc! i think it used to have a fridge. it had some business on the roof but i honestly didnt pay much attention. the intake was really wide the carb was very big. it looked like the bowls were on the sides. the water pump looked a bit bigger but it was hard to tell the spark plugs were kind of obvious. the guy who was going to buy it before me got it running and told the owner it was a 440 but he also flaked and disappeared. also he hasnt returned for his money so i was giving him what he was paying for it back. the owner really wants it out of his yard! i know im kind of going on about a bit of nothing so ill give it back to you.

 

i dont know if its anything but it did have a white sticker onthe left valve cover with timeing settings and other specs for 440s 413s 318s and i think a couple other motors.

 

So has the weather let-up on ya' ? When are you going to go see it next?

 

hopefully thursday morning