1976 Mopar 440 Engine Specs
by Vern Hee
Over 750,000 440 engines were produced by Chrysler through 1978. The 440 cubic inch engine was introduced by Mopar in 1966. Mopar stands for Motor Parts Company and at one time made all the parts for Chrysler. People in general loved the Mopar 440 engine because of its quick acceleration at low speeds and because it had power for towing large loads. Despite the movement to more economical engines in 1976, the 440 cubic inch engine still was offered as an option.
History Of the 440
The Mopar 440 engine was produced from 1966 to 1978. The 440 cubic inch engine was termed as a raised block engine with a bore and stroke of 4.32 inches by 3.75 inches and it was the last of the raised block engines for Chrysler. The engines sported cast iron blocks with iron heads. Up until 1971 the engine was rated at 375 horsepower at 4,700 rpm. During the same time Chrysler made the 440 six pack by sticking three two-barrel Holley carburetors on the engine and were able to suck out an additional 15 more horsepower for a total of 390. Then the horsepower began to fade in 1972 and these versions ceased after the 1973 oil embargo.
Gran Fury Wagon The E85
The engine was used in police cruisers in 1976. The 440 was available only to the police and some citizens who knew how to get one. This gave the police 0 to 60 mph in the seven second range during an age where performance was declining. In 1976 Chrysler released the E85 police vehicle, also known as the Plymouth Gran Fury Wagon. The E85 employed a 440 V-8 rated at 205 horsepower at 4,400 rpm with 320 ft-lb of torque at 2,000 rpm.
E86 Gran Fury
The E86 police vehicle and Gran Fury had slightly more horsepower at 255 horsepower at 4,400 rpm with 355 ft-lb of torque at 3,200 rpm. The Gran Fury was outfitted with a four-barrel carburetor with dual exhaust for power. The Plymouth Gran Fury was popular with police because it was a spacious full-sized four-door sedan with plenty of room. The Plymouth Gran Fury was built on a Chrysler C-body. The car had an automatic transmission and achieved 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. This sedan came equipped with a 117.5-inch wheelbase which was 2.5 inches wider then its midsized Fury edition. For the non-police vehicles of the Gran Fury there existed a salon luxury version.
References
Writer Bio
Vern Hee started writing professionally in 2009. He works as a reporter for the "Pahrump Valley Times." Hee taught elementary school for eight years and worked in the landscape construction field for 20 years. Hee holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Berkeley and is a veteran of the United States Navy.
