78 motorhome 440

[Cudakiller70]

Thinking of looking at a 440 from a 78 motorhome. This motor is from his motorhome and he had it rebuilt, used it for awhile, but motorhome was falling apart. says it has a cast crank. Also has trans. No exhaust manifolds.
Can this be a decent motor for mild street car?
What do I look out for?
And stay away from?
Is trans also worth using?
Any info is appreciated.

[edison1970]

Nothing wrong with RV motors.  Probably rebuilt with low compression pistons.  If it was a good deal, I would buy it.  The trans is questionable.  Some of those transmissions had a odd tailshaft on it that you can't use for your car.

[Cudakiller70]

Nothing wrong with RV motors.  Probably rebuilt with low compression pistons.  If it was a good deal, I would buy it.  The trans is questionable.  Some of those transmissions had a odd tailshaft on it that you can't use for your car.

Here's a picture, yup trans has something on tailshaft not sure what it is, but thinking of a A518? OD trans possibly. He says 7K miles since rebuild $500 firm

[Brads70]

I started off with a motorhome engine or at least that's what the previous owner told me.
It was "OK" not so good fuel mileage and power was ... well lacking?
If it's already been "rebuilt" then what's the bore size I would wonder as if you wanted to rebuild it it might be maxed out on the bore size? 

[06Daytona]

 I have a motor home 440 in my Challenger. I tossed in a better cam and a nice intake and carb and i sounds good and cooks the tires.

[edison1970]

I think that's a brake they put on motor home transmissions.  You can still get lots of power out of it if it is a low compression motor.  There has been some write ups on cam changes, intakes, carbs and headers. 

[Cudakiller70]

Just want to smoke them tires and a little chirpping once and awhile 

[73440]

I have the same transmission from a motor home, agree it's a brake, but the engine with mine is a 413 with the high water pump that circulates into the heads.

[RUNCHARGER]

$500 is decent for a complete core 440 as long as it isn't bored out .060. The transmission will have HD internals in it and could be converted to a car tailshaft. In a pinch that engine will make okay power with a carefully chosen camshaft to work with the low compression. If the dual snorkle aircleaner comes with it, you can't lose.

[Cuda_mark]

I used a motorhome 440 for my 512 stroker 6 pack build. I was happy with it. I used edlebrock heads without any extra work to them and a 44o source rotating assembly with an eagle crank.

Somebody told me once that the motorhome 440's were actually thicker castings in some of the weak points. I never looked into whether or not that was true.

[Chryco Psycho]

Nothing wrong with motorhome 440s , as long as it was not bored too far