Any tricks on the front engine hardware before we start? I know there is a deck height difference so alt, PS, AC etc that has water pump to head probably don't interchange. The 400 is in car and complete and we have an RV 440 with all its brackets and super long dipsticks etc. Plenty to choose from. Thanks Phish

If I understand the question correctly: Brackets differ low deck to tall deck, 383 & 400 should be alike. I'll assume same PS pump (Saginaw or Federal). Alternator same, AC compressor I THINK also. Hard lines might be off a bit.

should all fit from the 400 my dodge truck was a 400 then a 440 was swapped in only diff was the separation of the crossover tube in the exhaust system we had to add to it

Easy thing is to use brackets from the 400. That said, how about water pump inlet? Pass side or drivers side?

I swapped a 400 from a '78 Cordoba into a '70 E and WP inlet was the big difference. The '70 style setup was opposite the '78 style and that changed the PS bracket and other stuff.

Not sure if the RV used a car or truck ps bracket...they are different. Use the car bracket.

B alternator used a bracket on the head to compensate for the lower deck height, RB doesn't need it.

Ed

there is a diff on the power steering bracket system related to the year more than to the deck height. 72/73 and lates BB got a boss into the block to bolt the pivot to the steering pump bracket. As mentioned this also changes the water pump housing inlet to passenger side, since the steering pump on post 73s sits lower into the engine bay/block, but that is not affected by the deck height.

Some of the rear AC brackets can change too ( if some bolts to head or intake, depending on the car ), but as far I know not the main one to the water pump housing

Alt bracket... non AC cars are known having 2 bolts locations depending on B or RB configuration, now I have allways wondering about this on AC cars, since I never have seen or noticed the top bracket being different... but, maybe the rear provission attached to the head changes ?

Maybe, it would depend on the year,? but height difference is taken up by the belts. Only 3/4 inch. Exhaust pipe could be off. As long as it's not an industrial engine I don't see much of a problem.
Might add most everything mounts off the water pump housing, alt is water pump- head attachment, ac should bolt up normal. I have both engines with ac, I'll check tonite.

Thanks guys, I will have to steam clean it to work on it (is that the starter?). One owner 76 Monaco 400 lean burn that we are racing in Lemons 24 in November. I was going to poach the AC stuff for a 440 car. Also have a lean burn question. New thread. Thanks again

Looks like the core I started with from a '78 Cordoba. Two rounds of de-grease and pressure wash only helped a little. The hot tank finished the job. That said, it was a great core. Hope yours is also.

Never knew the Exxon Valdez was a mopar.....

Ed