How's it going everybody, I have a '73 dodge charger that was originally a 318 car but when I bought it It came with a 440. Im not quite sure what the 440 came out of and had some questions about that and i haven't been able to find any definite answers. the casting on the block reads 3698830-440-10 and the only thing I was able to read for sure on the stamp on the other side of the block is the year it was made, which is '72.. so my questions are:


1. what did this motor come out of?
2. why is there an RG stamp on the front of the block?
3. what is the stamp on the other side of the front of the block?
4. is this block still good I haven't been able to find any pictures or articles on whether this block was casted like this or if its damaged


Thanks in Advance! Any help is appreciated

 

That shabby looking slot in the front is just poor casting but the question is "Where's the rest of the webbing?"

 

ya im not sure I don't think I will be using this block I think its just a little too sketchy I was just hoping to find some info on this block to see if it's still usable but im not able to find anything on it and what I found keeps contradicting each other and thanks for the help

 

That excess casting can be removed via a die grinder and if magnafluxing and sonic checking shows no cracks or weakness in the walls, that is a somewhat expensive block. You would do these two tests on any engine before rebuilding anyway so why not this one. On the other hand if there are obvious signs of broken off pieces ( in the lifter valley for example ) junk it. A point of interest is the difference in the blocks between 440's and 400's. 400's are prefered for strokers because the walls are actually thicker and there is a rigid bar cast along the sides of the blocks about midway. Also the iron between the bores is a bit thicker. If you go RB keep in mind the engine will be an inch taller and there are considerations to be made with fitment.

 

ok cool thank you ill keep that in mind and since I talked to 440 source today they filled me in on the stamping on the front and its meaning and they said that that is how they were casted so im gonna find out where around here I can get the block checked out to make sure its otherwise all good thanks for the help