Is this worth it? 1974 440

1968 Valiant said
71 Scamp - Thankyou for your straight answere. I am not to far from you. We should meet up this summer.

I bought the 78 440. I am going to clean it up and paint it this weekend. Throw on a new (not motorhome) water pump and a few new seals and gaskets since I have it out.

I am all for more power in the long run but as I sit currently my goal is to get the car converted and driving properly. (torsion/sway bars and brakes) Once I have accomplished that I will start collecting some more performance pieces. Cam / Intake carb possibly new pistons.

I want the grunt of a big block but I am very much a "cruiser" in the sence that I acually like the smooth quiet feel of a stock big block. This car is not my daily driver but I do drive my projects year round.

Question;

I have a stock oil pan off my 68 383 out of a C-body. Will this bolt up to the 440 and work in my Valiant with no steering problems?

Thanks again Everyone for the help

I would enjoy meeting you sometime. Private message me and we can see how our schedules work out.

I personally think you are on the right track. Get the motor installed and run it as-is for a little while. Identify the things you want to change (more torque, higher rpm range, etc.) during this break-in period. Work on the suspension, steering and brakes (and A/C if this summer turns out like last...) and then engage phase 2 of your project.

I am not positive on the 383 pan, but I don't think it will work. Research it here and elsewhere. There is a pan (187 marking) that fits well I've heard, but once you do bump the performance, have it modified to allow 1 qt per 1000 rpm you push the motor (courtesy Don Dulmage).

Some guys are running SB radiators and fight cooling issues, but here you might be ok, especially with a HD fan.

Look forward to seeing how things work out for you.