440 Big Block

From : sonny h

Q: i have a 78 dodge power wagon. i used to drive it everyday until one day the driver side front u-joint came apart and destroyed the axle. the tire locked up when i was traveling 60 mph thank god i was on a dirt road. instead of fixing it i bought another truck. its been sitting for about 10 years now. the body is almost completely rusted out. for example.... you can push on the fenders and they will move in and out. the doors still open and shut though. and theres a big hole in the gas tank. after hooking up a good battery i poured gas down the carb. and she started right up. theres still no exhaust leak!! can you believe it! however the engine transfer-case and transmission are in perfect condition with 120000 miles. my question is... should i take this motor and transmission out and sell it to get the most money are these motors still popular maybe it would be worth putting a new body on the frame id like to hear some opinions/comments on what you would do. and no... its not going to the junk yard at least not until i get the engine and trans out! thanks. .

Replies:

From : tom d

i would hold onto it the way it is the motor and tranny are covered up i converted a 318 power wagon to a 440 truck and it was a nitemare trying to find that oil pan and dipstick tube especially. the manifolds were tuff to i had to buy one from the factory it was in the area of 200 bucks keep it if you can if not sell it to me laugh tom d i have a 78 dodge power wagon. i used to drive it everyday until one day the driver side front u-joint came apart and destroyed the axle. the tire locked up when i was traveling 60 mph thank god i was on a dirt road. instead of fixing it i bought another truck. its been sitting for about 10 years now. the body is almost completely rusted out. for example.... you can push on the fenders and they will move in and out. the doors still open and shut though. and theres a big hole in the gas tank. after hooking up a good battery i poured gas down the carb. and she started right up. theres still no exhaust leak!! can you believe it! however the engine transfer-case and transmission are in perfect condition with 120000 miles. my question is... should i take this motor and transmission out and sell it to get the most money are these motors still popular maybe it would be worth putting a new body on the frame id like to hear some opinions/comments on what you would do. and no... its not going to the junk yard at least not until i get the engine and trans out! thanks. .

From : bob

snip id like to hear some opinions/comments on what you would do. and no... its not going to the junk yard at least not until i get the engine and trans out! thanks. you said it your self right there at the end. yank out the mechanical legs and tow the rest to the junkyard. after that what you do would be up to you. i am sure that you could find more than a few people that would be willing to part with a small wad of the green stuff for these items. if it was me though i would be pulling them out and stashing them away for a rainy day. have fun bob .

From : thadriver

im sorta looking sorta cause im broke at the moment for a big-block & auto trans but not 4wd. i currently have a 4wd 318 club cab long bed. i plan to use that cab shorten the bed & put them on a 2wd frame. then put the regular bed on the long 4wd frame with a flatbed. i have a 360 & was planning to get an auto trans to go behind it but would like the big-block since i want to use it for towing. im above atlanta & do body repair paint & custom work. if youre near email me & we may work something out. either way i would advertise/sell *all* the good parts. btw what kind of wheels paul aka tha driver giggle cream - it makes dessert *funny*! .