I found an RV in the junkyard with a 440 and plan on rebuilding it to put in my 71' Roadrunner. Does anyone know about the quality of these blocks? Are there any major flaws with the materials used in 1976?

I've got a friend with a forged crank so I'm not concerned if the crank is cast. It has 452 heads but I also plan on either go with aluminum heads or closed chamber heads.

Read AndyF's most excellent article on old vs newer blocks titled: Sonic Checking the Mopar Big Block. They are all good. Just have it sonic checked and magnafluxed.

Don't listen to the urban myths about later blocks being thin wall. It's as good as any. And don't discount those heads. They're damn good, too.

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/5115_cylinder_heads/index.html

I will take the 452s if they are not used

Thanks for those articles. I never thought that a 452 head would be good performance head. I've read so much stuff that is negative on the 346 heads that I just assumed the 452 heads were the same with nothing but hardened valve seats. Guess it was a mistake to assume all open chamber heads are junk.

That whole myth with the later engine blocks being thin wall is what I was thinking of. I was just wondering cause I've heard that in the mopar world for quite a while.

This RV has been sitting in the same junkyard for quite a few years with that 440 in it and figured its about time I go and get it. I have the origional numbers matching 383 and 4 speed in my car but I don't want to trash it. Luckily the previous owner threw in an additional b body 4 speed, so I'm gonna put that behind the 440.

With the right person porting them, iron 452's
will make close to 600 HP on a good 440 combo.
This was back before there were so many heads
and stroker combos to pick from.

76 440 motor? Do it up, just as good as any other
440 motor in the bone yard. Getting harder to find.

I have a 78 440 MH block in mine.

Any unless you plan over 600hp, don't worry about the cast versus forged crank thing either.

I got two MH 440 in the shop now. Both were in good shape. Not a lot of miles and they were "covered" the whole time they were in the junkyard. One of them is going to be a 512 next year.

Do not throw away the passenger side exhaust manifold....if it is still there.