Just bought an '80 RC that has a 440 sitting between the fenders. It is on some mounts that appear to have had a hole cut in them (the driver's side) to clear the forward-facing oil filter adapter. Does this mean the engine is out of a motorhome/van? Is there any way of knowing? Is there any way of getting the proper engine mounts to mount this to a 4wd frame? As the engine sits, it is roughly 1/8" away from the fireway at the back of the valve covers, almost touching in some areas. I can only imagine that perhaps the brackets were put on backwards, hence moving the engine backward that much. Is there any reference/source or anyone have pictures of how the 440 should mount to the frame?

Thanks a lot.

You should be able to sort out the history a bit by copying down the VIN and Fender Tag numbers plus the numbers on the engine/cylinder block.

There are Factory Number Decoders to help in converting those numbers to determine what you have/where it came from originally.

Year One Mopar Engine ID Decoding

Year One Mopar Engine Casting Numbers

Mopar Broadcast Sheet Fender Tag Codes

Also, you could always Post the numbers you find on the VIN and Fender Tags here (on Moparts) for help in decoding.

IIRC, the last year the factory produced the 440 was 1979, so I'm guessing that it was not available in 1980. If that is correct, it was not the "original" engine for that vehicle.

From your description it sounds like some previous owner got creative in mounting the engine. It can be remounted correctly with the right parts, either factory or aftermarket (like adapter-mounts from Schumacher Creative Services, etc.)

Schumacher Creative Services

Here is a (poor) photo I found on the internet of a 440 in a Ramcharger. You could look for better images on the internet and/or some member here (with a 440 Ramcharger) may well post a better picture.

You could start a New Post requesting Engine-Compartment photos of Ramchargers with 440's.



Good Luck with it.

the hole in the MM for the oil pump is for a 4x4

2x4 are not like that

I just put a 440 in a 85 2x4 and the are made out of 2x4 square stock and it sit further back and does not need the hole in it

the cross frame (k-frame) is diff between the 2

sound like it is correct,IMO

the MM from a motor home will not work..close but no go

It might. Can you post a picture of it?

I had a friend with an 81 motorhome. He swore up and down that it had a 440 in it, and I argued that they stopped making them in 78. He did indeed have a 440 in his 81 motorhome, and it was the original engine. When I questioned my local Mopar parts manager, he said that quite often the motorhome manufacturers would buy truck and van chassis, and they would sit on their lot. When they finished building it, they would title it for what ever year it was finished in. Hence you could have an original 440 powered motorhome in 1981. Look at the casting numbers and the stamping on the pad. I'm sure it will show a truck engine with a casting date no later than 1978.

Here is the passenger side bracket and mount:





Here is the driver's side (with the hole "burned" through it to clear the oil filter adapter):





The passenger side is putting an amazing amount of rearward pressure on the engine mount. So much so that it's twisting. Keep in mind that the trans is not located in it's mount (another can of worms). Both sides would appear to be alright, I just wanted to make sure because this thing's valve covers are all but sitting right on the firewall and I know there is more clearance than that in a big block RC. Just wanted to make sure these were the right mounts...

These are standard 4x2 440 truck brackets:

And these are 4x4 brackets:

Another pic of 4x4 brackets:

Aside from what I can only assume is a locating dimple and a freshly cut hole for the oil filter adapter, I'm going to guess that I've got the correct mounts for the job. Perhaps I need to really sinch down the engine mount nuts and try and locate the transmission mount to where it should be and see if that brings the engine off of the firewall.

Thanks vdriver, for the pictures. Those are awesome.

those mm are for a rv and the wrong ones IMO

I would see how low the motor is sitting. The ds looks like it's bolted in correctly. The passenger side you can drill/slot another hole for that biscuit mount to sit properly. Make sure it's level and see if you have any clearance issues with draglink and booster. They may work perfectly for you.