Tight budget build, here's my dilema: I have a '81 D-150 std cab, long box, 3.55 Sure grip, 27" tires. I have two engine choices to choose from, 1978 low mileage truck 440, or '97 318 magnum. My question is: what would be the best choice for a street toy type engine with limited bracket use. I know that the obvious answer would be the 440, but I'm thinking that the 440 which is a good running '78 truck engine, wouldn't really gain me enough extra power to justify the increased gas consumption. If I went with the 440, it would be stock shortblock (very low compression) with a short duration/high lift cam, stock intake w/thermoquad, and stock truck manifolds, if I went with the 318 magnum, it would be with a mild hyd. roller cam, 1 5/8" long tube street headers, Performer RPM intake and 600 vac. secondary Holley, Both would be backed with a 727 with a 2500 converter. Would I really gain that much with the low compression 440 versus the much more efficient 318 magnum? i'm basically an old school small block guy (high compression 340's) with not much big block or magnum small block experience) I will add that if I went with the 318 magnum, I would be upgrading to a 360 shortblock under the 318 heads at some point, if I went with the 440, it would be staying for some time. My only big block experience is with a healthy 383 in my old '68 Roadrunner, (Which was a very strong package), but I am pretty impressed by the magnum small blocks that I have driven as well.) I guess I am just looking for some real world experience here, I have not weighed the truck, but it is a standard cab, long box, no A/C truck with stock interior, so I am thinking around 3800 lbs???

Given the weight, gear, and stall speed, I'd say you need torque, as in 440. Anything you can do to increase the CR will make it more efficient. Short duration & big lift is a good idea. If MPG is a sticking point, just be content with a slower ET. The other consideration is whether you can hook consistently with the 440 in it.

I had the same thoughts 3 yrs ago.

i went with the low milage 78 440 truck engine in my 88 short bed,built it around the engine from scratch.

used the MH 727 shorty as well in the truck,I had to build a drive shaft any ways

added the A-body 8 3/4 with 3.91sg,tucked in some 12" rims with 29x15x15 M/Ts in the fenders.

set it up mono leafs and SSM lift bars for scratchin

I have drove a few of my trucks with small blocks,the stepside I upgraded to roller cam in 07'

I can tell you now..I am sure glad I went with the 440 for my street truck over any sb that I have had in any truck.

I built it for more of a show and shine poser race/street truck that I wont be driveing all the time any way,so that off set any of the negitives of running a BB as a daily driver.

and right now I am the only one in my one horse town that has a mid 80s truck with a BB

i plan to add the whiplash cam thats made for the lo comp smog 440 to give it some pop in the cyls

its a bolt in with a set of BB engine mounts,rear sump oil pan.

Thanks guys! I'm still not 100%, but I am leaning towards the 440 with a small cam, an optimized ignition curve and a light right foot! It's not going to be a daily driver, and even if I drive it more than I think I will, I don't really think the 440 will get THAT much less mpg than the 318 mag to make a real world difference. I know I'll have to change the brake booster and maybe get a bigger radiator, but I can deal with that. Wish me luck!

440