The 1972 440 produced 335 bhp 250 kW gross at 4400 rpm; the new net rating was 225 hp 168 kW —which very closely coincided with period German ratings and measurements. To quantify just what such an engine is capable of we trucked the fresh bullet to Westech Performance Group for a ride on their SuperFlow 902 engine dyno. Dodge changed the name to Ramcharger one word for this engine, Plymouth still called it a Super Stock. Someone asked my the other day about it so I will tell you what I said. That's fast enough to pick off most motorcycles. This makes perfect sense, considering that B engines were in production for over 2 decades. Admittedly, this is a big cam, which will definitely make its presence known with that boulevard lope that echoes horsepower.
Later, the displacement was increased to 413 and 426 cubic inches and in 1966 was again increased to 440 cubic inches. While a solid cam would force an upgrade to a set of adjustable rockers to replace the non-adjustable stockers, the hydraulic can work with the factory rockers. When an engine has the strengthening rib, it will usually have this pad as well. If you are not familiar with the Stage V heads, they are the highest quality, most accurate machined head for the 426 Hemi with significantly improved stock style ports. Far better deals out there. The 383 was introduced in 1959 to be placed in the Chrysler Windsor and the Saratoga while the luxury Chrysler New Yorker and 300 Series received the slightly larger 413-ci V-8. The 426 Hemi engines of today are built to be exceptionally strong, durable street engines running on pump gas for your Hemi project, with a minimum of maintenance.
The foundation of these engines, are the New and vastly improved Mopar Performance block. Test 2 was exactly the same as Test 1 with the exception of the change to an Edelbrock single-plane Victor Jr. Horsepower for the 383 was reduced to 300 in 1971. This feature assists positive lubrication under maximum take-off and top-performance conditions. Mopar engines had been burning up tires and setting records across America. Understating engine power was common in the era.
The engine number is stamped into a pad at the front of the valley intake to the left hand side There is also a casting in one of the sides of the block that will tell you the month, day and year of casting. The battery was even moved to the trunk for better weight transfer. This cross-ram design benefitted from the same tuned resonance of the long-ram, but with a simpler design. It goes to show what an automaker can do when all-out performance is the order of the day. Boiled down, our 440 received the basic machining operations, including cleaning and inspection, a.
Dodge's version, the D500 had a cross-ram induction manifold and dual 4-barrel as options. The 426 Hemi wielded 425 horsepower in 1970 and 1971, and the 440 and 440 Six Pack had 370 and 385, respectively. At peak, we had 538 lb-ft, spanning from 4,400 to 4,600 rpm, showing a relatively flat torque curve through most of the powerband. Just to the right of the distributor is a bit of smooth steel which has a number code stamped in it. What you are looking at above is the number 2 main bearing support on a 75 or earlier 440.
Did you get your copy? The 400 was used in car, truck, and motorhome chassis. It was a 1971 engine. My speedometer only went to 120 and the needle was buried about 10 mph past that. I have a buddy in Michigan who has come across a complete, stock, street wedge with a crossram and carbs. Hemi test engine of 1946-1948 and the production 331 Hemi of 1951. This engine is distinguished by the three Holley 2-barrel carburators that fed the fuel into a special intake manifold. Along with the centered flame path for more even combustion force.
High spring load provides higher fuel pressure. Later 440s suffered a significant drop in the compression height of the pistons, resulting in abysmally low compression ratios. The 361 had a fuel injected version in 1958 only. I converted mine to hydraulics but still have the rockers. Behind this was a 727 Torqueflite trans.
The many advantages of these new heads make it a practical upgrade compared to factory iron. The 413 Max Wedge was quite different from an ordinary 413. Todays 440's can easily be replaced with new Mopar Performance 4 bolt main blocks for a stronger foundation. By the time 400's were released in 1972, nearly all were using this later type of deck. Mine is a nascar Max wedge.
The Magnum and Super Commando A134 engines produced 375 horsepower, yet were reliable and relatively easy to tune. However, many Mopar enthusiasts are confused by the 340 Wedge engine. Number three ring is a two-piece design, specially adapted to the lubrication requirements of this engine. The housing is of aluminum to save weight. The Ramchargers should get a nickle for every car sold today. Its structure affords the same distance from the primaries to the intake valves, on all eight cylinders.