How much horsepower does a 1972 Dodge 440 have?
In 1972, Dodge offered the 440 V8 in several configurations, so horsepower varied widely. There is no single figure for all 1972 Dodge 440 engines.
What the 440 offered that year
During the 1972 model year, Mopar promoted the 440 cubic inch V8 in multiple trim levels and with different carburetion. The horsepower ratings were published as SAE gross horsepower, which can be higher than later net ratings. The final number depended on the engine's breathing, compression, and exhaust setup — and those pieces varied by model, option package, and date of manufacture.
- 440 with a two-barrel carburetor (2 BBL): roughly 190–230 horsepower.
- 440 with a four-barrel carburetor (4 BBL): roughly 275–350 horsepower.
- 440 with a six-barrel setup (6-pack; three two-barrel carbs): roughly 360–390 horsepower.
These ranges reflect typical factory ratings for passenger-car Mopar models in 1972, acknowledging that some high-performance configurations could sit toward the upper end of the spectrum. Emissions controls and marketing-driven rating changes later in the decade also affected published numbers.
Examples by model
Several Dodge models offered the 440 in 1972, with similar horsepower ranges but different presentation and equipment. Here are rough guidelines by widely sold variants.
- Charger/Charger RT and other performance-oriented models often carried the 440-4B or 440-6 variants, landing in the mid-to-upper range for the era (roughly 300–390 hp, gross).
- Challenger with 440 options typically aligned with the same 4BBL and 6-pack figures, depending on whether it carried the high-performance package.
- Monaco/Polara and other large Dodge sedans and coupes commonly used 440-4B or 6-pack variants with ratings around the mid- to upper ranges (roughly 275–380 hp).
To verify the exact figure for a specific car, check the engine code on the block, the fender or door tag, or the build sheet. Mopar records and enthusiast databases can cross-reference the code with the corresponding horsepower rating and configuration.
Bottom line: The 1972 Dodge 440 covered a spectrum of horsepower, from roughly 190 hp in the smallest 2-barrel engines up to around 390 hp in the top 6-pack performance configurations, depending on the car’s options and build date.
Summary: In 1972, horsepower for the Dodge 440 ranged from about 190 to 390 hp depending on carburetion and performance packages. For a precise figure on a particular car, identify the engine code or consult the build sheet to confirm the exact configuration.
