shlbsnake

I have a little decision to make. I have a 383/727 out of a 68-69 c body offered to me that is in a car and runs good for 500.00 or I have a 440/727 offered to me at the same price that ran when it was pulled out of a 70-71 c body but has been sitting for a few (he couldn't tell me how long guessing 8-9) years. He says it turns over by hand and has compression. My brother lives where they are located and is going to go look at the 440. They guy with the 383 I have dealt with before and trust. I know there are quite a few more readily available parts for the 440. Another option is that i have a set of 906 heads off of a 69 Highway Patrol polara sitting here I could set on the 383. I also have a torker 440 manifold but I don't think it will work on the 383 even with the 440 heads right? Any suggestions? This is going in a 67 belvedere.
Tony

John Van

I would go with the 440 if your brother says it's ok. You are right the torker 440 manifold will not work on a 383 b block. Now for that 383,what will you get for the $500? Just the motor and tranny? What is in that '67 belvedere now?

john

shlbsnake

Both engine options come with the trans also. I had my brother take a look he said it turned over nicely but the carb was off of it and uncovered but in a shop. The ID plate on the block has 4T440 E Does this mean anything? I think the T makes it a truck motor? Also the date is 7 9 73 so it is not a 71 and I am thinking they changed to cast cranks about that time. I know how to tell by the dampner but I am not there and my brother couldn't tell can anyone help me out with identifying if it is forged or cast? Other #'s on the block are 389830 440 5 ( I think it may be 369, not 389) and below the 4T440 E there is a 8 14 number. Any help would be appreciated.
Tony
Also, there is a 318/727 in the car now

John Van

Tony, 4T =1974 E=cast crank. That 383 is looking better,but that's up to you.
good luck,

john

440roadrunner

What you are calling "440 heads" is not what makes the difference. The reason that a 383 manifold won't fit a 440 and vice versa is that the block on a 413/426/440 is taller and therefore sets the heads further apart.

Pretty much all B/RB heads are interchangeable, except for the heavy truck heads which mount the water pump to the heads (motor home, etc), and very early heads which used a little different rocker mount

shlbsnake

I knew that however, I was under the impression that putting the 440 HP heads on the 383 would wake it up a bit. Thanks for the input.
Tony

67 GTX

Is the 440 from a motorhome? If it is, wouldn't the tranny be ill-suited for you?

shlbsnake

The guy said he pulled it out of a c body but he also said it was a 71.

Tony

RustBeltRodder

If you're planning to drop it in without a full rebuild, go with the 383 since you know for a fact it's a runner. But if you do intend to do a full build go for the 440.

Rustymopar

I have a F 440 HP I will sell you... No transmission. I'm not sure what it is out of originally but its coming out of a 69 Superbee so I can place a date correct E 383 HP in it.

MercuryDon

I have a E 383HP dated 5 15.