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Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 #1203703 03/26/12 03:21 AM 03/26/12 03:21 AM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 18 Washington F fish59 OP member
fish59 OP member F Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 18 Washington	I pulled a 440 from a 1977 Chrysler New Yorker and am installing it in my 1966 Chrysler Newport Convertible. From the 1977 440, I removed the heads, cam, intake, carburetor and chose to use the edelbrock performer RPM package. I need to purchase a new distributer. If I go with to the parts store and ask for a distributer from a 1977 449, will that plug into my existing wiring harness? The fan that came from the 1977 440 has a finned clutch assembly attached to it. I am not sure if I am describing the object properly so please correct me if I am wrong. Whatever the attached object is called, I would prefer to use the fan from my 1966 to look more correct. Will there be any balancing or other issues in using the older style fan on the 1977 engine? I really appreciate your time in reading this post. Brad

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: fish59] #1203704 03/26/12 03:36 AM 03/26/12 03:36 AM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA Kern Dog Striving for excellence
Kern Dog Striving for excellence Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA	Chrysler went to electronic distributors in 71/72, so any factory distributor from that point forward will be electronic. If you prefer to stay with what your 1966 car had, ask for a 66-71 440 with points ignition. The cap and wires are the same as far as I know. You COULD convert the 66 to electronic ignition using a kit from a variety of sources. The 77 440 had a clutch driven fan for increased cooling ability and less power loss. It is a better unit that your 1966 fixed blade fan, but if originality is your goal, either will work. You really should use a fan shroud and make sure that all factory air seals are in place to ensure that there are no escape paths for oncoming air. You want frontal air to pass through the radiator, not around it.

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: fish59] #1203705 03/26/12 10:46 AM 03/26/12 10:46 AM
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 559 Idaho L LaRoy Engines mopar
LaRoy Engines mopar L Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 559 Idaho	Have you considered that the 77 440 will have a cast crank and will be externally balanced? It will require the correctly balanced torque converter.

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: LaRoy Engines] #1203706 03/26/12 10:54 AM 03/26/12 10:54 AM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 18 Washington F fish59 OP member
fish59 OP member F Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 18 Washington	I am using the original 1966 727 transmission. I unfortunately found out about the externally balanced torque converter after I had gotten rid of the torque converter from the 1977. If I go to a transmission shop and tell them that I need an externally balanced transmission for a 1977 727 powered by a 440 engine will that be sufficient information? Do I need any more information to get the correct unit? I greatly appreciate all of your help! Thank you.

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: fish59] #1203707 03/26/12 10:59 AM 03/26/12 10:59 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet
Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md	Call Summit and get the weight kit. It will have to be welded on, but it will do the job on your stock converter. You might want to consider buying a new/re-manned converter. They are cheap and can give you better performace and peace of mind. I'd also use a steel shim head gasket instead of the fat fel-pro composite style. That engine might have 8:1. Make sure you do the usual stuff, check the rod bearings and replace the t-chain while you have it out. [IMG]http://i66.tinypic.com/pui5j.jpg[/IMG] Coming soon!!!!

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: fish59] #1203708 03/26/12 12:04 PM 03/26/12 12:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,111 Bowie, MD R Reggie top fuel
Reggie top fuel R Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,111 Bowie, MD	I don't think the 1977 converter would have worked with the 1966 transmission anyway. I don't know when they switched, but the spline counts around that time were different than the later stuff. I think the flexplate bolt patterns are all the same so another option might be to use the B&M flexplate for external balanced engines with your 1966 converter. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-10237/ Other stuff: You will need to keep the 1977 crank damper due to the external balance. If you swap to the 1966 crank pulley, one of the bolt holes won't line up with the 1977 damper and will have to be enlarged. The 1977 water pump housing inlet is on the passenger side, so you need to swap your 1966 WP housing on to work with your radiator.

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: fish59] #1203709 03/26/12 12:11 PM 03/26/12 12:11 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	Sounds like you dont want to modify your wiring at this stage so I'd get a reman points dizzy and what Reggie said get the B&M flexplate to go w the '66 TC live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: fish59] #1203710 03/26/12 12:57 PM 03/26/12 12:57 PM
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,506 Indiana G GrnMagic77 Peter Parker
GrnMagic77 Peter Parker G Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,506 Indiana	I dropped a '76 440 into my '66 Newport with minimal issues,modify exhaust,etc...I still have to get the B&M flexplate for the '67 727...car is perfectly drivable I guess at least for now but there is a noticable vibration. For my car it is a mix of all sorts of parts...I think I have a '74 radiator...a '67 383 clutch fan...modified brackets for alignment of belts,'67 rear end,'68 gas tank,changed to '68 dual res.drum brake master cylinder and about a million other things. I did buy a reman. points distributor at Pep Boys for easy drop in and go on the car.Never have drove the car much but haven't had any problems with the points or the mismatched components other than the needed flexplate. 1978 Round Up-1977 Warlock-1977 Powerwagon Adven.- 1976 Blue "Macho"-1974 Charger-1968 Fury III -1966 Newport *

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: GrnMagic77] #1203711 03/27/12 02:04 AM 03/27/12 02:04 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	You are NOT going to like the cam the performer RPM power package comes with. That cam is NOT meant for a 7.8:1 compression 1977 440. If you're using stock 1977 pistons and the performer rpm cam, prepare for disappointment.

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1203712 03/27/12 07:51 AM 03/27/12 07:51 AM
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,507 Royersford, PA B bschargerse master
bschargerse master B Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,507 Royersford, PA	DaytonaTurbo hit the nail on the head. It's going to be a dog with that cam. You are better off leaving the stock cam in it. If you want a little more oomph, I would put a cam that is just slightly larger than stock. I had a '76 440 in my '68 Super Bee, with stock heads and pistons. I installed a Crane Econopower cam in it. (now called Powermax) 427/454" lift, 260/272 duration, 204/216 @ .050. It woke that engine up, it would just fry the tires, and gobs of torque. Nice idle too. Here is the equivalent cam on ebay, at a cheaper price than the Crane... http://www.ebay.com/itm/220964713521?ite...123&vxp=mtr I hope this helps. Brian - 1971 Dodge Challenger "The Dodge, which was practically stock, just left the Mustang like you wouldn't believe."

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: bschargerse] #1203713 03/27/12 09:29 AM 03/27/12 09:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet
Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md	Quote: DaytonaTurbo hit the nail on the head. It's going to be a dog with that cam. You are better off leaving the stock cam in it. If you want a little more oomph, I would put a cam that is just slightly larger than stock. I had a '76 440 in my '68 Super Bee, with stock heads and pistons. I installed a Crane Econopower cam in it. (now called Powermax) 427/454" lift, 260/272 duration, 204/216 @ .050. It woke that engine up, it would just fry the tires, and gobs of torque. Nice idle too. Here is the equivalent cam on ebay, at a cheaper price than the Crane... http://www.ebay.com/itm/220964713521?ite...123&vxp=mtr I hope this helps. that or the small summit cam/lifter set for $109. I think it's like 214/224 445/455???

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: Mr.Yuck] #1203714 03/27/12 03:42 PM 03/27/12 03:42 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	I put a lunati voodoo 60303 cam in my low-cr 76 440. It did okay with a 3.55 gear but it definitely needed more than a stock converter. And that cam is only 224/230 @ 050 versus that RPM cam which is more like 240 and really designed for 10:1 compression when used with the eddy heads, 9:1 compression at a bare minimum. Now if you run a 3000rpm converter and 4.10 gears, you can get away with more but I still wouldn't run that performer rpm cam.

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1203715 03/27/12 06:42 PM 03/27/12 06:42 PM
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,507 Royersford, PA B bschargerse master
bschargerse master B Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,507 Royersford, PA	I forgot about the cam Mr. Yuck mentioned. Good choice... EDIT - The smallest Summit cam is .442/.465 lift; 272/282 advertised duration; 214/224 @ .050. Not sure how that would work. Last edited by bsakal; 03/27/12 10:11 PM. Brian - 1971 Dodge Challenger "The Dodge, which was practically stock, just left the Mustang like you wouldn't believe."

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: bschargerse] #1203716 03/28/12 02:47 AM 03/28/12 02:47 AM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 18 Washington F fish59 OP member
fish59 OP member F Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 18 Washington	I am using the 1977 block, pistons and crank shaft. I am using the edlebrock performer RPM cam, RPM intake and an edelbrock 750 carb. I have the 915 heads from the original 1966 big block that was in the car. The heads have had minor work done to them to update the valve seats. Does this sound like a good combination or would you still switch the cam?

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: fish59] #1203717 03/28/12 02:58 AM 03/28/12 02:58 AM
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA Kern Dog Striving for excellence
Kern Dog Striving for excellence Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 18,493 Granite Bay CA	Those 915 heads will help boost the squeeze. The 1977 400 and 440s were rated at 8.2 for standard and 7.8 for police. I have no explaination why the cop cars got less squeeze. The 915 heads will likely raise the compression ratio by 1.0 to 1.5 points. A mid 9 to one ratio isn't bad. You will make decent power and still be able to squeak by with regular fuel in cool weather. If I ever have to replace the pistons in my 440/493, I'm lowering my compression from 10.8 down to the mid 9s. It will make less power, but I'll also have a little flexibility on the road if "Joe Blow" gas station only has dogwater 87 octane.

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: Kern Dog] #1203718 03/28/12 03:46 AM 03/28/12 03:46 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts
DaytonaTurbo Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 21,318 Manitoba, Canada	Quote: Those 915 heads will help boost the squeeze. The 1977 400 and 440s were rated at 8.2 for standard and 7.8 for police. I have no explaination why the cop cars got less squeeze. They didn't. All 440's in those years had the same 1.912 compression height smogger pistons. Quote: The 915 heads will likely raise the compression ratio by 1.0 to 1.5 points. No, not even close. A 77 440 with stock open chambered heads comes in to a calculated 7.8:1 compression. Slap on a set of closed chambered heads brings you up to around 8.3-8.4 compression. With pistons far enough down in the hole to need a yard stick to measure, you are not gaining 1-1.5 compression by cutting 10cc out of your cylinder heads. 8.4 compression with that performer RPM cam is STILL going to be a complete and total dog! Like I said, I ran the lunati voodoo 60303 cam with smogger pistons and 3.55 gears and it was too much cam for that low of CR and a stock converter. And that cam is only 226/234 @ 050 versus the 238/246 of the performer rpm cam. That rpm cam would work well with 10:1 compression, not 8:1. What rear end ratio and torq converter do you plan on running?

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #1203719 03/28/12 06:08 AM 03/28/12 06:08 AM
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa 340SHORTY Truck Nut
340SHORTY Truck Nut Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 12,291 Kent, Wa	IIRC all big blocks had the 516 heads. The 915s didnt come out till 1967 and only then on the 440 HP engine. I am truckless..

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: 340SHORTY] #1203720 03/28/12 07:00 AM 03/28/12 07:00 AM
Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 2 USA P Pleasureman member
Pleasureman member P Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 2 USA	Fish59, Your particular heads are off a blue '67 300 2dr that had a 440. I have the numbers matching block in my storage unit if you are interested in reuniting everything

Re: Using a 1977 440 in my 1966 [Re: Pleasureman] #1203721 03/28/12 07:13 AM 03/28/12 07:13 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,389 nielsville, minn. Q quickd100 master
quickd100 master Q Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 6,389 nielsville, minn.	My old '77 440 hp motor cc'd right at 7.4-1. Dave

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