repower with 440's from 400's

[jimbo36]

Has anyone repowered a Trojan tri cabin with Chrysler 440's replacing the original 400's? Engines under the aft berths. And/or experienced removal of the aft bulkhead? Thanks.

[prowlersfish]

I seen a few with the 440s , In fact I was going to suggest that on another thread . The 440 is basically the same block with a raised deck . it is slightly higher and slight wider . Almost all the 400 parts will bolt on to the 440 . The only 2 I know that won't are the intake due to width and I believe the dist. so its basicly a bolt in replacement . I belive the are more common an a slight gain in power so it a win win .

If your just replacing 1 engine I don't see a issue with the difference . I have seen many boats repowered with engine of different HP . Nice to have a perfect match but you got to do what you got to do .

[Barrie]

I have just finished removing all the wood from the back of my tri fly. I wasn't gentle about it though.
I did see that with some time and care, the aft cabin wall, the exterior wall with windows and the rear deck could all be unbolted/screwed and removed.
The screws are brass and you only get one shot at removing them, if they skip once you have to drill the head off
I have some pictures of mine here

[mikeandanne]

Barrie, quite a project there, wow.......those brass screws I believe have a frearson head and you need the appropriate driver to fit, the phillips will just strip them more often than not......just a fun fact ........looks like the dog is wondering what the heck is going on....

[Barrie]

Ya, I'm in pretty deep now!
Frearson! ya, that's it. I have a driver bit kit with about 80 bits and 2 of them fit grrrr!

My boy Gunner helps me think "happy" thoughts while I work on my project

[Reel Easy]

Jimbo, are you trying to get used engines? Look at older motorhomes. They can be had cheap then scrap the rest.

[jimbo36]

Thanks all for your input.The reason I ask is, I have a line on 2 matched, complete 440 Marine engines about 5 hours away. The seller owns a diesel shop and repowered his 36' Uniflite with diesel engines that he came across 2 years ago. He says the 440's ran out well without issues. Thought he would like to do some long range cruising down the line, liked his boat so installed the diesels. (probably helped that he is in the business) He has offered to run them for me to check out. They have closed cooling, carbs, alts, manifold, etc. plus 2x 1;5;1 Velvet drives go with them. I have solid 1;1's that would bolt on so I could find a buyer for them. My other 400 is in good condition as well for re-sale. Unless another good starboard 400 should drop out of the sky I think I will pull the trigger on these. Thanks for the pics of the bulkhead pulled out. Looks doable.Jimbo36.

[todd brinkerhoff]

Nice Dobie!

[Barrie]

Nice Dobie!

Thanks Todd, he's been very "entertaining"

Jimbo, I may be interested in the 400 if you do the swap. I need a pair eventually.

Thanks

[jimbo36]

I have bought the 440's and have began the process of removing the "good" 400 engine and looking at the 440 install. They are 2" wider so some interior woodwork will be required. I removed the aft bulkhead (lots of glue for sure) in hopes of being able to install both 440's through this space without taking them apart.

[Reel Easy]

Good luck with the project. Let's see pics

[jimbo36]

I tried to post pics from my BB and it says it is too large???

[captainmaniac]

I tried to post pics from my BB and it says it is too large???

Raw pictures from a modern BB with a good camera (and iPhones or Samsung Galaxy as well) as well are usually 1-3MB or maybe more. Think the limit for the forum is something like 250K per pic. You will need to reduce the resolution to something like 800x600 (easier on a PC than a BB), or upload to Photobucket or Google Docs or some other service and reference them from there.

[jimbo36]

Hey guys, I think I figured out the pic size. Here are the 440's going in. The beginning of taking out the aft bulkhead for an easier repower. The 440's are 21/2" wider and higher. The Riser spaces are an easy removal.

[jimbo36]

Closed cooling Too. Makes them a bit tighter but great to have.