For decades "Direct Connection" (the performance wing of MOPAR) preached in their tech bullitens and the "Direct Connection Bible" that the 440-4 A-bodies could not and would not work. This was stated because of lack of a favorable HP factor compared to the 428 CJ primarily (440-4 since corrected from 375 to 356 today) and lack of traction capabilities.
In the 80's, Neil Smedley and I built an ex Bob Lambeck '68 Dart GTS stocker into a bracket car. Employing all Stocker components on the chassis (SS springs and 9" slicks) except a modified 440 (Torker, .557" solid cam, 850 Holley, roller rockers), it made some serious wheelstands running as well as 11.70's. That proved MOPAR didn't know what they were talking about regarding traction issues! We also fabricated mounts for the 440 on the 340 K-frame in a few hours, also showing MOPAR how to do it without buying their overpriced conversion package. Lesson learned...don't believe half of what you read!
NHRA #7494 SS/H
1970 AMC AMX
"Best Appearing" @ NHRA '06 Pacific Sports Nationals
JeffLeeAzRealty@Qwest.net
602-418-9797