I get tempted to swap a 440 into my '79 W150, and am trying to have an idea of all the factors I'd have to deal with. One is engine mounts of course.

Anyone use these? Any feedback or recommendations? There's so much to deal with when going from small block to big block, so mounts will probably be the least of my worries. I guess bolting to transfer case will be a headache? Will my clearance up front be changed significantly, as in fan to radiator? Is there so much I should just drop the idea? The factory 360-4 runs real good, and I could just keep driving as is for awhile, but I get an itch....


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-1987-...K-ENGINE-SWAP-motor-mounts/360445258443?

Why not just stroke the 360?

Stroke that out to 408 and put a big grin on your face.

I took the easy way out and got with a guy that had parted out a bunch of big block trucks. One stop shop for oil pan, dip stick, motor mounts, exhaust manifolds, big block 4wd trans - everything ya need to put that cheap C-body donor engine in yer truck. I did spend some time tracking down the correct power steering brackets and water pump pulley. As for it fitting, I'll get back to ya but looks bolt in to me. When they disco'd the big block in 78, the didn't bother changing anything about else about the truck. The front cross member still has 2 sets of motor mounts holes - 1 small block, 1 big block.

Valve cover clearance is an issue. The factory installed the smaller diameter dual diaphragm booster (200 and up) when the RB was ordered. Some say the engine will fit around the larger diameter single diaphragm booster, but ya just can't take the valve covers off. The C-body ya jack the RB from will likely have the smaller diameter booster but haven't tried that transplant and they predate aluminum masters so it's gonna want a 4 bolt master. I recently scored a 2 bolt one from a roached plow truck, fingers crossed. If you put on any kind of taller than stock fancy valve covers, they'll interfere with the heater box but there's room to notch it.

Coming soon to an RC near me:

those are 2wd mounts. you need a 4x4 drivers one.

RWG thanks for info. I love the stock appearance of your 440, and I would have no intention of any other valve covers. I did wonder about the booster. I prefer a crate engine from trustworthy builder (CME?) over finding donor and having it built. I doubt I'll find cbody BB around here anyway. Doubt I'd find a C body around here, any engine.

Stroking the 360 would definitely power it up big. I have stroked 360 in my Diplomat AHB and it's a monster, but I'm kind of craving a BB Mopar. Never had one.

Ive got a big block i want to put in my 78 RC, have all the parts rounded up except the booster, or maybe hydro-boost it? And cant decide to use my truck manifolds or go with headers. Then i have thoughts of a late model hemi swap, but like your truck it has a 360 that runs nice, maybe i should leave it alone.

Lol, sound like me, except I don't have all the parts. I very seriously considered a gen III Hemi for quite awhile, but being a W150 and not D series no kit out there yet. So started thinking big block. Then I'll drive it again, and think how good it runs, and that maybe I should drive the heck out of it and wait for something to break. But if I had a really nailed down plan, I'd pull the trigger right now on the big block swap. The hemi swap has more unknowns.

I wonder if bouchillon has mounts for the hemi swap in a w series truck? Just checked their site and they do have the mounts.

Glad you asked!

https://www.bouchillonperformance.com/inc/sdetail/710/13295

oh yes they have a ton of truck stuff, one stop shopping going big block or gen III hemi

Hey Larry, just so you know, you can buy an adapter to bolt the big block to your small block trans, not cheap its like 800 bucks, but ive got more than that invested in my big block transmission so maybe not a bad idea

Boosters unavailable

https://www.bouchillonperformance.com/inc/sdetail/432

Thanks, that's good news!

Wow they have a ton of stuff for trucks....I didn't realize and I've done google searches. I see they have transfer case insulators too!

I got my transfer case mounts from rock auto

Different year, different model, so not sure how much this pertains to your swap, but way back when I dropped a 440 into a '76 Club Cab that was originally 360, I was told I HAD to swap the booster or the 440 wasn't gonna fit.

Well.......that wasn't 100% correct. The 440 just barely cleared the booster with stock valve covers, but it DID clear. Big issue was having to take the booster loose to get the valve cover off. As long as you're not running adjustable valvetrain, and get a good seal, you'll be lucky to have to take the covers off every 5 yrs, if that.

Are you planning suspension upgrades? Keep in mind the extra weight of the BB.

As I've mentioned a number of times over the years, I actually got better gas mileage with the 440 than the 360. A LOT more fun too.

On the 4x4 trucks, just put a 2" or 3" body lift in for the booster clearance, solves the problem and give a little more room for larger tires.

my buddy had a truck he bought with big block already swapped in with the bigger booster and it cleared also, then one day he went and replaced the rubber motor mounts, would not clear with new rubbers lol

id much rather correct booster than lift body myself