numbers on a 440 say=440-h.p-P.I.,does anyone know what the P.I. stands for,this is an old farm truck and ,?

Question

has been for a long time,theres also a brass tag on the side of it that has the build specs along with the bore and stroke,as well as a build date which says 1978.and has a horse power rating on it also,barely can read these nubers but under horse power rating it says 535,does this mean anything to anyone ,i cant find any information on it and the owner says it has been in the truck since he got it,which was in 1980,good information would be appreciated,i can buy this truck for very little and it runs,i was going to buy it just for the engine,but cant find no info on it,and it will run,it has been used recently but hasnt been taged in 25 years,been used on the farm since then,thanks.

yes they did use them but this one has that extra plate on it,and the ones that i have seen didnt have the pi in large letters,this is weird engine,that was my first thought on it also,it says its a 71 model engine.and the old guy says it came in the truck as far as he knows,it also has factory chrome valve covers on it their kind of rusty now ,but been on it for a long time and has a large holley carburetor on it im guessing a 750 or an 850 holley.

i forgot to add this is a 71 model truck also,nothing on the numbers of the truck to match up with the engine,but there is an owners manual still in the glove box on the truck,and it has listings for different sized engines,still says nothing about the brass tag on the side of the engine though,this is a mystery truck so far,im probaby going to buy it though,it maybe original for the truck,if so i may restore it as original,dont know yet.and its an automatic with a 727 tranny in it,showing abut 43 thousand miles on it, thanks for all the answers.

i just looked over some notes i made on this the production number is 1978 not the year of the engine,that may help some .

Answer 1

(PI) Police Interceptor. That Dodge d150 you about to buy is a gold mine only 54 made.(1978)

A redesign of the D Series for 1972 introduced a more rounded look (similar to the 1973 to 1987 GM C/K series), but included features such as an independent front suspension and pocketed taillights (the distinctive reverse on top lights were recessed to 1/4 in to avoid damage in loading docks and confined spaces). Styling cues, such as the scalloped hood and rounded fenderwells, were similar to the rounded, smooth look of the 1971 Plymouth Satellite.

1972 also saw the introduction of the 440 in³ engine as a standard option for the light trucks.

Answer 2

From the following website, I discovered the hp means high performance, but I didn't find the P. I. reference. Check out the whole site to see if you can find it.
Nearly every engine I have seen with a tag like you describe was worked on by an aftermarket company of some kind, and the tag was for warranty purposes. Also, a lot of companies that do their own work will tag an engine for reference.

Answer 3

Dodge Man needs advice on a Dodge product? What is this world coming to...the end is near.
Just kidding, man. I'd agree with Ford Girl that it sounds like a high perf...police interceptor package motor especially with the chrome valve covers although they could be add-ons. Maybe check for a distributor stamping or casting number to cross reference it from an old parts book or service manual. Other than a block ID number or VIN code.
Best I can think of.

Answer 4

Not too familar with Mopars from that era, but if I were to take a stab at it, I would guess "high performance" for the h.p, and "police interceptor" for the P.I. Didn't Chrysler use those engines in their Plymouth Gran Furys for police use in the '70's? It's just a guess on my part. Hope this helps.