440source.com is a worthwhile read
If youre rebuilding it you can pick your piston size and heads to get the compression you want.
2 similar engines, with only difference being the static compression ratio.... there is ~ 4% difference (loss for lower static ratio) for every full point of compression difference.
so for instance:
440 combo with 9.2:1 well say for calculation sake for this example, is 370hp
same 440 with 8.2:1 would be around 354hp
In my case I picked up a '78 440 motor (extra cooling) from a longago wrecked motorhome with 452 heads, that had 13,000 original miles on it. Practically a new motor on the bottom end. Fresh paint, Engle Cam Swap, electronic ignition, RB Street dominator intake and then I Took all the right parts off of the 383 that came in my car and for low $ I now have a 440 that looks like it came with the car originally and will run strong for a long time on cheap gas. I get to keep my Numbers matching 383 block on ice. (My main priority)
Later when I get the urge I can pull it out, stroke the 440 to 500 in short order. Or someone else can, if I never do it.
