1976 440 school bus engine - any good?

[ab7fh]

Would a '76 440 motor be a good starting point for a race motor? Found one for sale locally.

 

[djwhog]

Just needs better heads and I think the cranks are not real great either. but you can get good heads pretty easy, depends on budget and how much HP you want from it...

 

[thecarfarmer]

Well, it depends...

Would a '76 440 motor be a good starting point for a race motor? Found one for sale locally.

What do you mean by 'race'. For a guy like me, that might be a big hydraulic can and a basically stock longblock that's used in a mild bracket car. One of the seventies 'smog monsters' ought to be okay.

For higher performance levels, you might want to ditch the cast external balance crank (easier dampers and convertor balancing; crank is a little tougher).

The block is reputed to be one of the better ones.

http://440source.com/blockinfo.htm
http://www.arengineering.com/articles/sonicbig02

I think a lot of guys start moving to aluminum main caps and stud girdles when they get north of about 600 HP.

-bill

 

[flyboy01]

I would be weary of any engine pulled out of a commercial of public vehicle. Those things get rode hard and put away wet.

 

[demon seed]

Got to agree with flyboy, be very wary. Before making any decisions I'd completely disassemble the engine and get the bare block (that means no core plugs or oil galley pipe plugs) hot tanked and inspected looking for crank saddle cracks etc. If everything comes out alright and you still want to race this puppy all the rotating or reciprocating parts that came out of that engine (especially the cast crank) are now paper weights. Have fun. I always have.

Terry

 

[pagilman]

If you can buy it for 250.00, take it:cheers: