chrysler ch440

I bought the car three years ago its an australian import rhd which was the main reason I bought it.
should have a 360 in it but it actually had a 318 in it















we got it running well but it was frankly rubbish, so its sat in the corner of the shed for a long time.
but we are now full steam ahead

chrysler ch440

so late last year I decided if its ever going to happen it has to have a 440 in it.
I sourced a 1977 motorhome 440 engine and 727 transmission from usa and had it shipped to the uk




we have removed all the shafts, clutch packs and tailshaft and fitted them in the big block gearbox housing







gearbox is now finished ready to go in, so we mated it up to the bare block and checked it for fitment






fits perfect with plenty of clearance around the steering box.
so the block has gone in for machineing, and heads for a reface and valves cut.
I have got 30 thou over 9.4-1 comp pistons to go on the stock rods and crank, there 120 thou higher than stock so it was around 7.8-1







new parts I have are the higher comp pistons l2355, full whiplash cam kit, hedmann headers, edelbrock rpm intake, thunder avs series 800cfm carb, 452 heads faced and 3 angle valve seats cut, and all new bearings and seals.


I am at the max recommended compression ratio for the cam so im hopeing it will have that thump idle but still be streetable, not looking for silly power I have a 960 hp gtr for that.

Iowan

That thing is cool, I've never seen one like it, it needs a 500 cid 440!!!


It looks to be in great shape, a good place to start.

What a your plans for it?

chrysler ch440

well its now 30 thou overbored so 446 ci, that will do me, im only run stock heads so a stroker isn't needed.
very hard to find rhd and it has the look im after abit like a dodge charger but a 4 door.


my missus is v8 mad shes looking forward to driving it more than me I think lol

RacerHog

Wow... That is way Cool..... Very Nice build.....

Iowan

Open up the bowls on the head's and put in 2.14/1.81 valves and you will increase their potential to make power.

chrysler ch440

im not doing any head mods other than recut valves and seats, the whiplash cam and 9.4 c/r will give me all I need with the headers, if it only makes 300 hp 400 lbft il still be happy, but having said that im sure it will make more.




if I wanted to make big power forced induction is needed, my weekend car is an r35 gtr running 840 hp on pump fuel, 960 hp on e50
power is easy with boost and still plenty of driveability with a big enough motor even with low c/r








for the unbelievable technical brilliance of it I love my gtr nothing compares 0 - 150 mph in 10 seconds and its reliable and streetable, but looks, sound and character I love the old muscle cars from the 1960s - 1970s hence me wanting a rhd proper v8 of that era, 4 doors is also easier as I have 3 children

Iowan

You can get 500hp easy with a 750 rpm idle.

chrysler ch440

my new carb and intake ready to go on









checked out the springs aswell today that came with the hughes whiplash full kit, there 1 coil taller and the coils are a lot thicker than standard.
just need to wait for the machineing to be done and we will crack on with the engine build asap

chrysler ch440

im not chaseing hp, I want that lumpy idle and it will smooth out just off idle for decent street manners.






this is the hughes engine dyno 9.2 c/r 440, whiplash cam, headers, 850 cfm carb and eddy heads







I have 50 cfm less carb and stock heads which flow 45 cfm less, if I make 120 less than those figures puts me at
371 hp
458 lbft
il be more than happy with that.


heres a video I did of when I got it running as best I could with the 2 barrel 318






it was rubbish no more than 150 hp tops lol
plenty of grunt straight of idle but it was done by 2000 rpm

chrysler ch440

engine now built, near as makes no difference zero deck.
















and engine in the hole, gearbox mounted in stock position and stock prop fits, next job fabricate front engine mounts, had to cut of right side one as it fouled on 440s external oil pump

Iowan

PROGRESS.........Wahoo very nice keep it up, I what to se the biggest two wheel smokest burnout/burndown whatever vedio!!!! Before and after if you will.

Better clean and paint the motor compartment for the car shows.

Iowan

Zerro deck with open chamber heads still says you need good fuel.

chrysler ch440

the whole car will be painted trial fitting everything first and running motor in.


it will run on shell v power super unleaded should be fine at 9.5 cr.

chrysler ch440

Bit more progress now several alterations though to make it fit, moved chassis side mount bracket as oil filter fouled on it then made engine mounts from big and small block welded together

Custom pas bracket and servo and master brackets
Headers are impossible to fit there just isn't the room so I've ordered stainless block hugger. Soon be time for first start up

RacerHog

Progress is good !!!!!

Iowan

I like the dust on the windshield and air cleaner.

chrysler ch440

Thanks all wiring is now done just need the block hugger headers to get here fit them and plugs and leads and she's ready for start up

Iowan

I LOVE the windshield and air cleaner, very clean!

chrysler ch440

so weve had here running






was on 7 in video didn't realise plug lead was dodgy, and spark is very weak and irratic timing all over the place due to not enough juice to run electric fuel pump, fans and ignition, so im fitting 90 amp 1 wire alternator, bigger battery, direct to battery alt wire and double wiring the ignition and dash loom so we maintain full voltage, should be good for test run then seems to have plenty of compression very responsive on throttle not like the old low comp 318 slug that was in it.

chrysler ch440

stainless block hugger headers and straight through exhaust

Iowan

It's alive!

RacerHog

Cool...

chrysler ch440

I can't wait to drive it should shred the tyres hopefully 😀

Iowan

What does it have for a rear axle assm.?

chrysler ch440

I'm not sure just standard Chrysler by Chrysler i assume

Iowan

I did a little searching on your car apparently it's a long wheelbase A body and with any luck it could have a 8 3/4 axle in it. See if it has a tin cover on the rear of the differential.

chrysler ch440

It has a tin cover on rear I remember seeing it

Iowan

If that's a 8.25 you will get familiar with it, you should look for something stronger. If you were in the states I would say go with a ford 8.8 from an Explorer and have it narrowed. Limited slip, disk brakes and a good gear selection. Quick Performance can set you up.
http://www.quickperformance.com/?gcl...FMkaAjOX8P8HAQ

chrysler ch440

I will have to look into it if it fails, had a 250 hp 360 in it standard so should hopefully run for a while