1972 440 motor to rebuild

[GoMangoBoys]

I am considering options of rebuilding the 383 (66 block) as stock or maybe even stroking it.  I am also considering buying a 440.  I have heard that the 72 engines are not as good as the earlier ones.  I found someone who has a 72 440 from a motorhome with 36,000 miles, never rebuilt, allegedly running when pulled.  It comes with the AC compressor and all the brackets.  It also includes a 727 that I don't intend to use. 


What is my best value for power/performance and reliability, stroke the 66/67 383 or buy the  72 440 core and rebuild it?
They want 700 for what is in the picture.

[73440]

Two years ago , I picked up early 70's motorhome 413 and 727 from a neighbor for  $200.
I was expecting it to be a 440 per the neighbor but it is a 413. The ci marking would be on the pad just in front of the drivers side head.

[RUNCHARGER]

If it's a 72 440 it's a good one. Forged crankshaft and stock heads that respond well to porting. $700 is cheaper than buying a stroker crank for the 383 to get the same cubic inch.
The only thing is at $700 I would want a money back guarantee that the crankshaft and block are uncracked and usable after standard machining practices (meaning the crankshaft will be usable after a .010 .010 turn and the block will take a bore at .030).

[Chryco Psycho]

Mopar really never built a "bad" 440 , all the blocks are good , the weakest ones are the 66-67 before they added the extra rib just under the deck on the outside .
Internally 73 up had cast cranks but unlike GM try to break one , they are still incredibly strong , the weak point was compression after 71 they suck but if you are rebuilding it makes no difference anyway , & you can stroke to 512 for the same cost as refurbishing the parts you have .
Both the 383 / 438 or the 440 / 508 or 512   stroked are extremely durable engines your call . Either way I would look at an Alum head like Trick Flow as the factory heads are all open chamber with zero quench , quench is your friend !!
your call .....

[Chryco Psycho]

I can call you to discuss this if that helps 

[Burdar]

I think some motor home heads were weird and had extra cooling passages and ports in them.  Not a good head for a performance build.  Definitely look into aluminum heads.

[Chryco Psycho]

It depends on what type of Motor home the engine was pulled from , the picture he has posted shows the normal heads but they will still be non hard seat & open chamber , far from the best choice !!

[73440]

I think some motor home heads were weird and had extra cooling passages and ports in them.  Not a good head for a performance build.  Definitely look into aluminum heads.

Yep, that's the one I ended up with.

[GoMangoBoys]

If I decide to buy the engine and go with different heads, what ARE some good choices?

[RUNCHARGER]

I like the Trick flow 240's. Good quality and performance for the price IMO. You can bolt them on a 440 incher and run pretty hard with a decent camshaft and compression. Easy combo.