78 winnebago 440 questions

[purpleroadrunner]

hey guys
I have found a 440 from a 78 winnebago for about $500, it has about 53,000 miles on it it starts and runs fine, but I have a few questions and maybe you can help before I think about buying it. I know they are not a performance motor I was kinda thinking build as I go

my car is originally a 318 3 speed manual. 4:10 suregrip

here is what I know on the motor
the 440 is complete with including the all eletronics, alt, ps, the guy says it has a 1000 cfm 4bbl holley with a riser plate on it, but I do not know holleys.


1. has anybody had any or know of any issues with using 78 440 motor in a challenger

2. I know the the transmissions has a brake at the end, can this be taken off or can I get a new tail shaft assembly, or do I even want to bother and get another tranny?

3.  things I know that need to replaced to fit in the car, oil pan to fit the K frame, motor mounts, maybe water pump depending on radiator, anything else? I know some say replace the torsion bars and some say you don't need to, I will use the old ones for the time being and go from there

I know this is alot but I don't have a lot of cash and would rather spend my money wisely, any info would be greatly appreciated

['Cuda Hunter]

Most all of the brackets and mounts are different than in a car.
The water pump assembly will be different also.  You will have to find a standard set up.
I have purchased three motors from big campers. 
318, 360 , and 440.

All had different hardware from the cars.
All were really good motors and are still running.

All were made at the chrysler marine plants.  They all had balance markings and they were very well put together.
Honestly, even though they are not made for performance, they were all better engines than the average I have purchased over the years.

Go for it! 

[purpleroadrunner]

Most all of the brackets and mounts are different than in a car.
The water pump assembly will be different also.  You will have to find a standard set up.
I have purchased three motors from big campers. 
318, 360 , and 440.

All had different hardware from the cars.
All were really good motors and are still running.

All were made at the chrysler marine plants.  They all had balance markings and they were very well put together.
Honestly, even though they are not made for performance, they were all better engines than the average I have purchased over the years.

Go for it! 

cool then I probably will go for it, did you do anything with the transmissions or did you go with a different transmissions?

[brads70]

cool then I probably will go for it, did you do anything with the transmissions or did you go with a different transmissions?

Mine I'm told was from a motorhome too. The water pump exits on the passenger side but I got an aluminum replacement from 440 source to save weight. Still on the passenger side though. I used an aluminum allstar stockcar style rad ( cheap) . Used those stainless flexable rad hoses to make it all work.
I'd go with the 1.030" T-bars on sale at PST ?

['Cuda Hunter]

I did not use the transmissions.

[brads70]

I did not use the transmissions.

   I don't know what lenght they are but I'm sure it won't have the provisions for the slap stick set up.
Motorhomes are a good source of 440's though , most of them never have many miles on them. 

[Moparal]

Very low compression...7.8/1 approx.   You should go to a closed chamber head, a steel hg  and a better low end tq cam to try to get the compression up.  are you planning on a rebuild or run as is?

[Challenger6pak]

The transmission is good for one of three things, a motorhome, parts, a Gear Venders overdrive unit.  The Gear Venders unit goes on the motorhome tailshaft and it can be used in a car.  It is a different GV unit and it will not work on the car transmission.  I found it good to know because the BB trans is getting more scarce.

[Chryco Psycho]

the large A class motorhomes often had very different heads & water pumps with the pump connected directly to the heads  the smaller C class had virtually identical engines to the trucks , the water pump may have the intake tube on the wrong side , you can use a rad with the lower tube on the correct sode to match the pump or swap the water pump housing to match the rad .
 as stated motorhomes typically have low milage & are great engines although the compression is lower & I would recommend either using closed chamber heads or rebuilding with a stroker kit & proper pistons for best results