I found the '71 440 as a result of searching for blocks on the internet. As you can see in the photos, the engine wasn't properly stored, and that's an understatement. From what I was told by the previous owner of the 440, Wendy, the 440 and attached 727 trans was taken out of a '71 CHP Police Pursuit Polara. The Polara belonged to her neighbor, a retired chief of police who used the car during his many years of service.
Since the car meant so much to the chief and it was due to be replaced by a newer model anyway, the Polara was gifted to the chief upon his retirement. The chief turned out to be a neighbor of the person I purchased the engine from. So the story goes, that the chief passed away shortly after his retirement. Yet, the chief's son had a 70s mopar that he wanted to swap the 440 into. So, the chief's son hoisted the 440 from the Polara, dropped it onto a tire in his back yard, and threw a tarp over it. There the 440 sat for about 20 years, exposed to the elements and taking on water.
To make this story all the more convoluted, all the while, Wendy, the person I purchased the block from, wanted to buy the block from the chief's son in order to rebuild it and install the 440 into her '71 charger. However, because of the son's sentimental attachment, he held onto the block only to let it sit in his back yard. Fast forward to two years ago, the son decides it's time to clean up his back yard and finds several forgotten engines impeding his progress, among them the 440. Recalling that his neighbor, Wendy wanted the 440 for her '71 charger, the son offered the blocks free of charge. However, Wendy no longer owned the Charger. Yet, she accepted the block anyway and had the chief's son move it into her back yard. That's where I come into the picture.
During my search for a usable 440 block, I found an ad on craigslist for a 440 police pursuit engine with trans. I jumped at it. Yet, I didn't receive a call back. So, I phoned again. And, again. And, again..... Finally weeks later persistence paid off, Wendy phoned back. Yet, she explained that someone was interested and that it was sold. Weeks later, I couldn't stop thinking about the 440. It was the exact block I wanted for my build. So, on an off chance, I phoned Wendy again, and found that the engine was still available. Wendy mentioned that the potential buyer removed a head and didn't like what he found, so he passed on the engine. This didn't sound good.
The engine was located 3 hours drive north of my place. This was quite the undertaking, considering that the most likely outcome would be that I found a seized, non viable engine. I took the gamble and set out. When I arrived, Wendy was no where to be found. I phoned her, and she said that she'd gone shopping, but she'd be back in a bit.
While I was waiting, Wendy said that I was free to pull my truck around into her back yard which was accessed through a farm gate. I did so, and sadly spied the 440 sunken into the mud. This was not what I expected to find. On head was removed and parts were strewn all around the yard. Yes. All around. Worse yet, it was lightly raining, and the engine was uncovered with both a head and the intake manifold removed. I was in shock. I can still remember my heart pounding with irritation and disgust at the sign of it all.
Wendy, finally returned. And, before I could get a word out of my mouth, she launched into the back story of the 440 of which you've already read. I wish I had the words to describe her. She was a real animated character. She was the type to sell a tin cup to a beggar with the aid of a sappy story. Well, while telling the rest of the tale Wendy began gathering up the strewn engine parts and placing them in a pile next to my truck. I said, "Hold on. Wait a minute. I'm not even sure this block is able to be rebuilt." Wendy said, "Of course it can be. It's perfect. I checked the dipstick and there's still oil in it."
Well, when I checked the dipstick, it was full of that nasty light brown foamy oil/water mix. My heart sunk. At that, Wendy launched into another tale about how she was an auto mechanic and body repair specialist at one point in her life. So, she was absolutely sure that the foamy nastiness inside the block actually preserved the engine all these years. I figured that her story was a load of bull. Yet, I didn't travel all that way just to return home empty handed. So, I took the leap and we began to discuss the price. I felt like a complete moron the whole time we haggled. She wanted $1,200, which was $200 more than her ad stated. I knew I was in for it, and from what I saw, every part on the engine was just junk. We haggled for about a half an hour while we both collected 440 parts around her yard. I found a motor mount which was still attached to a torched frame rail under a pile of junk. I found the valve covers in a pile of old motorcycle parts. The 440 4 barrel intake was underneath a pallet. And, so it went. By the time we exhausted the search, we settled on $650 as the price, and Wendy added a couple of buckets miscellaneous mopar nuts, bolts, clips and some fans to the mix as well.
After we shook hands, I shelled out the $650, and lifted the 440 onto the bed of my truck. It was a funny feeling at that moment. I was both extremely excited and disgusted at the prospect of the engine. I can imagine that's what it must feel like the moment before either you win it big or loose it all in Las Vegas. Well, Wendy thanked me and asked that I send along photos of the 440 in the 'cuda once the car was completed. It gave me some hope to hear that, and I promised Wendy that I'd send some photos when the car was up and running.
The next day I began the process of dismantling the block. The first order of business was to remove the 727 hp trans and drain the oil. The trans was easy to remove, yet the oil was a different story. I hoisted the block into the air, placed a 5 gallon bucket beneath the drain hole and pulled the plug. I figured that a bit of nasty oil and water would pour out; Maybe like 3 quarts and I'd be done. Once I removed the drain plug, it seemed like an eternity had passed before the engine was empty. To my surprise, I filled an entire 5 gallon bucket with foamy tan sludgy water. After that, I wasn't sure why I continued to dismantle the engine. But, I did. I felt for certain that the whole ordeal was just a colossal waste of time and money.
Out of sheer desperation I placed the engine on a stand and continued to dismantle the block. I removed the valley pan and found the valley covered in tan sludge. So, I placed a tray on the floor and flipped the engine around. More sludge dumped out onto the tray. I removed the oil pan, and I found that the rotating assembly was covered by the sludge as well. However, once I began to wash away the sludge, I noticed that almost all of the components were rust free with a slight few exceptions. Miraculously, as Wendy had promised, the sludge preserved the internals. I would have never thought this possible if I hadn't seen and experience it for myself.
The day following I dropped the block off at the machine shop to have it cleaned, magnaflux tested, rough bored, and inspected. And, to my surprise it cleared at .030 over and was good to go!
Best,
Bill
.
aboard.
I did manage to find a second broadcast sheet. It's mentioned in the aforementioned story, and there is a photo of it below.
