Small blocks only after 72

[Ranidart70]

does anyone know the reason that Chrysler only offered small blocks in E-bodies after 1972?

It seems the charger was available with all the way up to a 440 even after 72 so It would have made sense as an option in E-bodies. Its not like there was not enough room in the engine compartment.

I am thinking there has to be a reason for this.

 

[MOPARMITCH]

I believe it was for Insurance reasons. Due to the size of the car and weight, insurance co's didn't want to insure bigger, higher horsepower engines in the E body. If that's not right, I'm sure someone will tell us.

 

[challenger6pak]

Good question. It may be insurance. I know E's were being advertised as handling cars. The big block was poor in that area for an Ebody.

 

[NoCar340]

Sales of big block cars did not warrant their continued production. It's as simple as that. Insurance played a hand in that, I'm sure, but it was only because people got quotes on the big-block cars and ultimately bought a small block. It was not a forced decision, it was simply responding to market trends. The 402-inch Camaro made it one more year until it met the same fate for the same reason, but 455 Firebirds were still available until the end of '76--probably because the '73-'74 Super Duty cars reignited the love of the big Poncho engine. The SD cars were stellar performers for their day compared to anything else.

 

[moparleo]

What about emissions guys. Remember 72 on compression ratios dropped and so did cubic inches and horsepower ratings. The 400 was available on the b-bodies for a few more years and the 440 was available on Police cars, C bodies and trucks and motor homes. Production stopped altogether in 1978.

 

[challenger6pak]

The economy wasn't good in 71. 72 was starting to recover from it. Gas prices were up. Inflation was high. Today people as a whole want good fuel economy. They started to think that way in the early 70's. The small block would be the way to go. I have had several of the 71- up Chargers. With the same 340 as the Challenger got, the Charger just wouldn't go. Maybe that is why the big block was left to the B bodies.

 

[R4Sedan]

Not sure what their thinking was cuz some of the small block e-bodies that were optioned well could be pretty heavy.

 

[challenger6pak]

The small block Ebody has better weight distribution than a big block Ebody. With a stock suspension and stock bias ply tires that made a real difference in handling.

 

[RUNCHARGER]

High insurance killed sales of big block ponycars. If Chrysler had been selling enough of them, they would have kept selling them in 72. They were already building them so there was nothing to tool up for. Only reason was low sales due to high insurance.

Sheldon