How To Assemble A Mopar 440 Big Block! Detailed Step-By-Step Guide

Today on Dead Dodge Garage, we assemble the original 440 big block that will be going back into a nice, mostly original 1970 Dodge Monaco station wagon. This is a factory type rebuild - in fact, every effort has been made to make this engine detail correct, down to attaching exhaust manifolds, brackets, and other bits prior to paint, as was done originally during production in 1970. I utilized many reference photos taken at the time of disassembly, as well as various large books on the subject. I also spent countless hours cleaning and sand blasting fasteners and external engine components. You may not be going to these lengths for your rebuild, but the rest of the process is the same.

This engine is completely stock, other than an ever-so-slightly bigger camshaft, an oversized bore for cleanup and undersized main and rod journals - common steps taken during any thorough engine rebuild. The engine machining processes and parts selection were all done before filming, and are outside the scope of this video. A video on that end of building an engine may well be coming in the future - and if you're interested in a more performance-oriented big block build, that's also coming in the next couple months.

This engine is for yet another excellent Mopar restoration project at Rocket Restorations! @rocketresto

[davestark]

I have a stressful life, I'm a caregiver to my wife who has had five strokes, a brain clot and heart attacks and a pacemaker. Needless to say I have no life of my own. But your content let's me escape from the hard parts . You make me laugh and I so need that. Plus your very informative, and no BS. So I thank you, and don't stop doing what you do best. Cheers Sir .

[davidridgway]

This is great. It’s like graveyard cars but without mark worman shoving the camera down his throat every five seconds. Well done sir.

[conv]

I wish I would have had a video like this when I did my first 440 when I was 17 years old in my moms garage back in the 80's. Excellent video!

[normp]

Love this video! No fluff, no stories, no stupid music, no babbling on and on, just straight to the point. Clear and concise. This is a real "how to" video and I greatly appreciate this. If I was teaching a class on engine building, I would show this video.

[allanperryman]

You are the man. I been wrenching for 35 years... I still learn from you. You are nailing it. Thanks

[fredh]

I like to restore cars as a hobby I am not a mechanic. I also understand why I pay so much to have my engines built by an engine builder. Great work Jamie I love watching you. Do your stuff.

[stuckinmygarage]

Appreciate the comments on the little parts cleaning taking time. So true. Very satisfying to feel a good clean screw go in.

[rickhudson]

Doing this now. Needed a refresher. Thank you. I'm refreshered.

[harryblackburn]

40 years ago I built my first of many 440's. An article in Mopar muscle magazine can't remember the author but he said building a 440 was akin to building a small block chevy only on a grander scale. He was right.

[ronaldrey]

That H.E. 268h comp cam is my fav. Rocking several cams since 1985.

[chevler]

I referenced this video a lot when I was going through my 440 for my 61 Chrysler. Thanks a ton!

[maximuswedgie]

This is fantastic. I will be doing my very fist Chrysler Big Block engine rebuild this summer, was hoping you were going to do a reference video. Thank you.

[blownaway]

A 'thin' coat of ultra gray, do both sides of cork, let harden, then install. Works for me.

[mahm]

Cool video!! Reminds me when I rebuilt my 30 over 318 in my ragged garage for my 69 Sport Satellite. And like you i did it on the cheap with all stock parts well the intake and cam was aftermarket and the cam was a little bigger if I remember right it was a 272 cam. Well anyways outstanding work on the 440 I really enjoy the video.

[pdiz]

Impressive as always, DDG! I think everyone should have the two "How to Rebuild Big-Block Mopar Engines" books (there are two main ones, and if the gods are good to you, you have the older one with 240 color photos), but even then, that is nothing compared to actually seeing live-action video of someone doing it, plus their commentary. Also, to the n00bs, this is a "rebuild" not a "build, " meaning that you use it as a reference on what to do, not as a performance guide for building power.

[jeffpriem]

Fun!! Thank you for this.
My engine builder didn't video the assembly of my 440. I will say this is my motor being assembled
Hello From Wisconsin

[arthammack]

Watching this for the 4th time or so, going to start assembling my 440 in the next couple days. I did get the Comp "RV style" cam from 440 source, hopefully that was not a mistake.
Thanks for the great content.

[cougariog]

Always good videos bro. Keep up the good work.

[colin_]

Thanks man! Got my engine all back together and with (mostly) all correct torque specs!

[danpickar]

Thanks for the vid..putting together a 383 right now so good to have a fresher!