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Yeah, I should know this, right. A 1969 motor for example. Is there really a different in the block? Thought the HP motors just had different rods, cam, carb and forged crank.

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I remember reading an article many years ago by a former Chrysler engineer. He claimed that when they needed HP blocks, they would do a visual check on available blocks and pick out the ones with the least amount of core shift. These got stamped HP. Just because it did not get a stamp does not necessarily mean that it would not pass the visual check, it just meant that they quit looking at blocks when they met their quota. Sounds reasonable.

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That dude is good then. Most people don't have x-ray vision to see the core shift. I have to use a sonic gauge!

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I remember reading an article many years ago by a former Chrysler engineer. He claimed that when they needed HP blocks, they would do a visual check on available blocks and pick out the ones with the least amount of core shift. These got stamped HP. Just because it did not get a stamp does not necessarily mean that it would not pass the visual check, it just meant that they quit looking at blocks when they met their quota. Sounds reasonable.

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That dude is good then. Most people don't have x-ray vision to see the core shift. I have to use a sonic gauge!

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440 block - $300
440HP block - $700
difference - $400, well that and the HP stamp

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Regardless of year the block is the same except the stamp.

HP engines have: HP Cam, windage tray, bigger oil pan, HP exhaust manifolds, and the Carter carb.

For any given year all 440s use the same pistons, rods, crank (all forged in the earlier years), intake, heads (only 68 and up, 67 uses a bigger exhaust valve in the same 915 casting).

The only exception to this rule are the 6 pack engines. After the introduction of the "6 pack rods" in 1970 its also murky as to which engines came with the "6 pack rods" but most seem to have them by the mid-late 70s.

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Regardless of year the block is the same except the stamp.

HP engines have: HP Cam, windage tray, bigger oil pan, HP exhaust manifolds, and the Carter carb.

For any given year all 440s use the same pistons, rods, crank (all forged in the earlier years), intake, heads (only 68 and up, 67 uses a bigger exhaust valve in the same 915 casting).

The only exception to this rule are the 6 pack engines. After the introduction of the "6 pack rods" in 1970 its also murky as to which engines came with the "6 pack rods" but most seem to have them by the mid-late 70s.

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Not that murky; all 1970 - 1975 440 HP and truck engines used the mis-named "6 pack rods".

To the OP, as the others have stated....just the stamp.



Dave

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I've heard people find them in the regular passenger car engines too

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Regardless of year the block is the same except the stamp.

HP engines have: HP Cam, windage tray, bigger oil pan, HP exhaust manifolds, and the Carter carb.

For any given year all 440s use the same pistons, rods, crank (all forged in the earlier years), intake, heads (only 68 and up, 67 uses a bigger exhaust valve in the same 915 casting).

The only exception to this rule are the 6 pack engines. After the introduction of the "6 pack rods" in 1970 its also murky as to which engines came with the "6 pack rods" but most seem to have them by the mid-late 70s.

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Not that murky; all 1970 - 1975 440 HP and truck engines used the mis-named "6 pack rods".

To the OP, as the others have stated....just the stamp.



Dave

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I've heard people find them in the regular passenger car engines too

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It's possible (and even likely) that there are exceptions to any rule; QC wasn't exactly top notch.....but I doubt there are a statistically significant number of non-HP 440's with the heavy rods and related damper.


Dave

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Because there is an unlimited supply of stupid or ignorant people out there, and some of them have big money burning a hole in their pockets.
ALSO,
Remember that in the Chevy world, there was a Lot of difference between a high performance engine and a regular mill. Same goes for Ford, Pontiac, Olds, etc.

Take the 396, for example. The regular engine got 2 bolt block, cast crank, oval port heads. The High Performance engine got 4 bolt block, forged crank, rectangular port heads. Or my '72 350. About the only things that were the same between the 2-barrel or regular performance 4-barrel and the LT1 were the oil pump, water pump, valve covers maybe, rocker arms and pushrods, and assorted bolts for everything except connecting rods. So when I found a disassembled LT1 for a reasonable price I drooled. Still couldn't afford it, but what a wealth of better parts.

My point is, when you come from that kind of world, the letters "HP" stamped on the block mean a lot more than they would to a Mopar savant. Even if you tell them it isn't the original block, it will probably still be worth more to them. And remember they have the big bucks burning a hole in their pocket.

R.

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...which is why I don't subscribe to the value placed on #'s motors for Mopars. Unlike most GM products, Mopars have the engine in the VIN and the difference between HP and not was negligable....these aren't Corvettes or Chevelles.





Dave

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440 block - $300
440HP block - $700
difference - $400, well that and the HP stamp

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So the uninformed are paying more for the same block. Thanks for clearing that up.

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unless it's the infamous HP2 block! then the price goes to $900.

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440 block - $300
440HP block - $700
difference - $400, well that and the HP stamp

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So the uninformed are paying more for the same block. Thanks for clearing that up.

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unless it's the infamous HP2 block! then the price goes to $900.

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