Reliability of 440 Engine?

[Clyde9]

From: 911rs1  (Original Message)    
Sent: 4/18/2006 9:28 AM

I know I am supposed to be in the Midwest group, but they are all still asleep and this group seems to be real active and full of great info!Hope you don't mind.

My question is on a 1974 440 engine are they known for reliability? Any specs on them as far a HP, 4 bolt main? Thank you



From: denisondc    
Sent: 4/18/2006 10:30 AM

I think all of the mopar V8s in the motor homes in the 60s and 70s were extremely durable, unless they are Totally totally neglected.
If the cooling system is kept in good order (radiators don’t last forever, neither do radiator hoses, fan clutches, or thermostats), and
If they keep the oil halfway clean with a new filter now and then, and
If they don’t run it lean due to leaking vacuum hoses, a shriveled carburetor base gasket, or dried up carburetor that hasn’t been rebuilt in 10 or 20 years, and
If the centrifugal advance mechanism inside the distributor is ever oiled, (every 10,000 miles?) so the ignition wont stick in the advanced position and damage pistons by detonation,
…then I don’t think anyone has ever worn one out.

Some things go bad from age and disuse, as opposed to driving mileage. Examples are; crankshaft seals, rocker cover gaskets, how much corrosion happens to the piston rings, and all of the rubber things on top of the motor.
Also from crud being built up by repeated brief engine operation. If I am going to run my engine at all, I plan to run it long enough for the oil to come up to temperature and boil away the pollutants that condensed into the oil in the first 15 minutes when the oil was cold. I added an oil temp. gauge to mine. Driving it on the highway for 30 minutes will get the oil warmed up, but idling it fast in the driveway for 30 minutes wont.
For each gallon of gasoline you burn, the engine produces about 8 pounds of water vapor (and about 16 pounds of carbon dioxide).



From: 911rs1    
Sent: 4/18/2006 12:12 PM

Great information. I thought these engines had a good service record if they are maintained properly.  Thank you



From: 911rs1    
Sent: 4/18/2006 12:14 PM

One other question on the carburetor. I will assume these engines came with a Carter AFB from the factory, are they still the carburetor of choice for these engines? Thank you



From: Slantsixness    
Sent: 4/18/2006 12:18 PM

Not all are Carter AFB's.

Some are Carter Thermoquads, most are 800 cfm Holley's (especially earlier years and the 413).
Any of the carbs will work well, but my preference is the AFB for performance and reliability.



From: 911rs1
Sent: 4/18/2006 12:56 PM

Thank you

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From: denisondc    Sent: 4/18/2006 1:31 PM
There probably should be a thick plastic adapter under the carb. This insulates the metal of the carb from the heat of the intake manifold - very nice in hot weather.
My 413 has a Holley 'double pumper' on it, about a 700 or 750 cfm. It was there when we bought it, but was Not the original carb. I have dismantled it for cleaning and replacement of the gaskets twice over the years.
It has float bowls at each end that bolt onto the side of the carb body with a gasket to hold the fuel. After that gasket gets old enough, it will allow the fuel to leave the float bowl in a week or two. The carb is sort of telling you to do another clean out and re gasket. They seem pretty simple to redo.
A nice feature of the Holley is the float bowl vent that sticks up into the air cleaner. With the lid off the air cleaner I can dribble a couple of tablespoonfuls of fuel into the carb. Then the engine will start after cranking only a couple of turns - even if it has been sitting for a few weeks or months.



From: DaveVa78Chieftain    
Sent: 4/18/2006 1:36 PM

413 engines used the Holley (4150C series in 70/71; 4160C series in 72/73)
440 engines used the Carter Thermoquad (TQ-6518S or TQ-6582S)

Many replace the Thermoquad with a Edlebrock.  Search the archives for info.

Dave



From: 911rs1    
Sent: 4/19/2006 11:29 AM

Yes, I was thinking of a edelbrock to update the fuel management. thank you



From:911rs1    
Sent: 4/19/2006 11:30 AM

Very good info. Thanks