Motorhome 440

BLIMP

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Wednesday my brother and I traveled a couple hours from Illinois up into Wisconsin and pulled the 440/727 out of a 1974 motorhome (Dodge Champion?) The seller @Doug Nelson was very straightforward and it was a pleasure to meet him. Here are a few pictures.
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Would this be considered an engine for the 73 model year? It appears to have a forged crankshaft.
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I just realized I forgot to check it, I'll post a pic tomorrow
 
Good thing is it has straight spark plugs indicating normal heads not the angled plug RV heads.
452 should be the casting number and have hardened seats.
Compression will be low but still a great foundation to build a torque monster
 
J is 73. Is it a 6 - June casting date, little hard to read. Does it have any VIN stamped down by the oil pan rail? If it didn't have the T stamped on it it could 'serve' as a warranty block for a 72 or 73 car probably. Less value in those years of course. Without a VIN stamped it could be 'claimed' to be an over the counter replacement short block.
All just musings - it's a great find to just throw in a small block car or to start a build from. Wish I could have found time to go up there and grab it. :lol:
 
I want to say Truck. Can't remember where I heard or saw that. But I very well may be wrong.
 
Any idea what type of connecting rods were used with a forged crank truck engine? Honestly it really doesn't matter, just curious.
 
Any idea what type of connecting rods were used with a forged crank truck engine? Honestly it really doesn't matter, just curious.
Might have the heavy six pack rods. Might have the LY rods. Only one way to find out...
 
T for truck is what I always heard too, but 74+ all have the T.

It will have LY rods. The balancer is not a 6 pack balancer.
 
I bought a 440 out of a 78 camper last summer . 45 thou miles.
I tore it apart a month ago.
I found regular con rods. Also found
the cylinders to be like new.
452 heads with next to none wear in the guides.
I swapped the pistons for stock bore 6 pack speed pros. I weighed them and cant remember the exact weights but they were very close to the originals.
The original bearings were like new but I put new ones in.
Also put a magnum/ super commando purple shaft in it.
Plan to run the 452's for now.
I am having the truck 727 rebuilt . Swapping in a long tail housing and shaft.
I'm lookin forward to see how it turns out. I guess I need to decide what I'm putting it in first
 
There is nothing stamped on the pad up top and nothing stamped on the pad on lower right side of block.
Casting date is 7 7 77

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Trans will have good innards in it. Main shaft and tailshaft housing can be swapped off any POS small block 727, (stay in same PK range though).

I will take/buy the innards if you don't have a use.
 
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