New to Dodge
 

Hey guys :)

I am here because I don't know Dodge very well, have had lots of experience with other makes of trucks, but not with the early Dodges.

Came across a deal that I am still in the process of thinking over.
The truck is a 1978 D200 Club cab,440 v8, 2wheel drive, Automatic tranny etc... Will be used to pull a 38' goose neck camper if I end up getting the truck.

I have this beater work car (gas sipper) that he wants to trade for this truck.
Since I have a company vehicle now, I no longer have to worry about gas mileage, at least to work and back.

Ok, here are the questions I have!!
Like I said, I am new to Dodge so bear with me.

I know its an automatic, but what automatic transmissions were available in this truck?? I am thinking on maybe a manual conversion in the future, but we will see. Pro's/Cons of the transmission, etc...

What are some things to watch out for/look for while looking over this truck? Common leaks, weak spots, etc..... I just don't want to be caught off guard, especially when I am unfamiliar with this particular truck.

Is the 440 a common option for this truck?? How reliable is the automatic transmission behind this engine? I did print a sheet so that I can decipher the VIN and make sure that it is what he says it is.

How do I visually identify the engine as a 440? I will be away from home, with no access to the internet when I go to look at it, so I want to be prepared a head of time.

There are more questions I have, but they can wait until after I trade for the truck.
Thanks a head of time!
~Ryan

Welcome to DF

440 and 383 were not standard in those days, they were options. If the dist is on the front of the engine, you may have a 383/440 engine. If the Dist is on the rear of the engine, there was the 318,340 and 360 engines.