I always thought the last year Chrysler Corp. built big blocks was 1978, due to some agreement Lee Iaccoca made to drop the big blocks when he got a loan from the Feds.

But I have read in places on the Internet that 1979 was the last year, and I have seen ads for Motor homes as late as 1982 with Dodge 440's in them (from the factory).

My guess is they had a bunch left over and were allowed to put them in higher GVWR vehicles like trucks and RV's until they were gone, but that is just a guess.

So what is the true story?

 

I think:

440 last year 1978.
400 last year 1979. [not 100% sure]
Motor homes that came out in the early eighties, depending on what brand you bought, yes probably to use up the stock of engines, were sold as industrial motors to power motor homes and other various uses.

One time I was looking at an old fire-truck made in 1962. Why, just bored I guess. {it was for sale for $1200}. when I climbed inside and opened the dog house engine cover, much to my surprise sat an early style Hemi engine. It said 354 industrial on it. Years after they stopped putting them in in cars.

so yes its possible that you could get a big block after 1978 but I'll bet 1978 was the last year they were cast at the foundry.

 

The 400's last year was 78 also.

 

roughly 350