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383 Engine Teardown - Need Advice

Banzaiii67 said:
I wouldn't hesitate putting a 383/400 in a A-BODY over a 440 but if your trying to move 3800+ pounds I'd rather have the torque of a 440. If it's a 4 speed, than it's a different story.
Click to expand...

The car will be a 4 Speed. So how does that change things?
The more I think about the 383 or 440 scenario. I keep coming back to, I have the 383 and as long as the block checks out ok. I should use it, run it for a year or two and then build a 440 and go big.

Right now, I just had a baby, I am approaching my slow season for work... So all said and done the 383 will probably be the engine. I also have such a sweet spot for a strong 383, my first classic car (72 roadrunner) had a 383 + 4 speed, and MAN did that thing screw down the road.

About the 440 Intake I got off craigslist... The intake and heads where a package deal at $50. He wouldn't break up the deal, he wanted them gone because he was moving.

Not a bad deal for $50... I hope it ends up being a good deal.

If i where to sell the 440 intake... what would be the going craigslist rate??? Any idea?
 
So I have tracked down some parts for the rebuild. They are from the same craigslist guy that sold me the Matching Cast Iron Heads.

He has the following...
http://store.440source.com/Billet-1-Bolt-9-Way-Adj-Timing-Chain-Set-New/productinfo/114-1002/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4452783ab

He says the cam shaft and associated parts have been kept cleaned and in grease.
The two parts together package deal are $125.00
Maybe a few hundred miles on them before he removed them for storage.

Any thoughts on these pieces and pricing before I go Saturday?

(Pistons and crank shaft have not been chosen yet, block will be machined and honed soon)

My end result, an inexpensive 383 engine rebuild to get me to through the summer while I save for my dream 440 engine.
I basically tool around on the street, and stomp on the gas at a red light.
(727 Auto trans)
 
That cam looks as if it has the exact same specs as the Magnum cam used on 69 383 and 440 engines among others. Great all around cam for street use.
 
Last edited:
Meangene83 said:
I am so glad I have this place to turn to for a second opinion.
I know enough about these cars to be dangerous.

My mechanic, whom I trust, called me down to take a look at my 1968 383 Engine in my 1973 Roadrunner. It was not good news.

Pictures are fun, so I took a shitload.


What was told to me is the following.

The engine looks to probably never had a rebuild. Or if it had it was not anytime recently. My mechanic said due to the Lack of Honing marks on the cylinder walls. He stated the honing marks take years to vanish, of which there are none visibile on any cylinder wall.
Click to expand...

As usual, you have a ton of good info and advice above. Pick and choose as you wish. But if this 1968, 383 never had a re-build, why is it orange? You can even see small remenants of the original turquoise paint in one of the pics. If it had never been touched, why would someone pull the engine to paint it?

Just a casual observation.

Find a 400 block and stroke it.
 
Runner 68 said:
As usual, you have a ton of good info and advice above. Pick and choose as you wish. But if this 1968, 383 never had a re-build, why is it orange? You can even see small remenants of the original turquoise paint in one of the pics. If it had never been touched, why would someone pull the engine to paint it?

Just a casual observation.

Find a 400 block and stroke it.
Click to expand...

I see your point. It would normally make sense, but the previous owner did everything he could to do things incorrectly.

Why would he (previous owner) pull the engine to paint it?
Short answer, he was an idiot.

Long answer.
He stated it was rebuilt. Now rebuilt to him and to everyone else were two different things.
He probably yanked the engine, cleaned and painted it.
Took off the heads (of which they were mismatched 1 - 346 & 1 906 head) took one look inside and said **** that.
He then proceeded to use RTV silicone as a head gasket!!!
An in the course of re-attaching the Headers, he used coarse thread where fine thread was needed, or vice versa ( i forget)

I am not even mentioning the wiring splices he had hidden all over eternity.

I am not selling the car very well, I do partially regret what I am now knee deep in. But I love the car and driving it for the month before winter was FUN! I hold on to that fact.
I also like the idea that it has now come to me to be brought back to life.



Also, Thanks for the info on the Cam & chain . I am going to purchase them this weekend.
 
I think we bought our cars from the same guy.
 
Meangene83 said:
I see your point. It would normally make sense, but the previous owner did everything he could to do things incorrectly.

Why would he (previous owner) pull the engine to paint it?
Short answer, he was an idiot.
Click to expand...

LMAO. The short answer is usually the best.
 
Ha! Good stuff.

If you like the car, that's what counts. It's what it is all about.
Unless your like some, and just drop a bag of bucks to get your 'dream' car, at least you've got a good start. That moron was just trying to make it something it wasn't.

Go for it! And, make it what 'you' want. There's nothing that cannot be un-done, and make it all right. And, something worth having. Best of luck!!
 
Thank you miller!

had a busy Saturday, got a set of leaf springs new $150.
440source.com timing chain + purple cam for $125.00
and a new solid K frame for $50.
all from different craigslist ads! Will update with pics and other developments tomorrow morning!

thanks again guys.
Gene
 
Pictures are fun so I thought I would post the latest update.
A new 383 HP motor is being built. The block was bored .40 over.

What you see here has been honed and tanked.
New freeze plugs are in and primer will be applied.
The block is going to have the Cam and Timing chain I snagged off craigslist installed.



eugenes motor 001.jpgeugenes motor 002.jpgeugenes motor 003.jpgeugenes motor 004.jpgeugenes motor 005.jpgeugenes motor 006.jpgeugenes motor 007.jpg
 
Looking good!

Have two suggestions for you...just basic stuff...
- Get a copy of a 68 service manual. You can find 'em free online. It will have all the needed specs for your motor, and a few hints on getting it 'glued together' correctly. If you can build a 383, you can build any mopar motor, and understand the right way.
- On your cam/timing chain bit...get a degree wheel, and use it! Always a good idea on these things. It's a Mopar! That's all that counts.

Oops! Last thing...enjoy!!
 
miller said:
Looking good!

Have two suggestions for you...just basic stuff...
- Get a copy of a 68 service manual. You can find 'em free online. It will have all the needed specs for your motor, and a few hints on getting it 'glued together' correctly. If you can build a 383, you can build any mopar motor, and understand the right way.
- On your cam/timing chain bit...get a degree wheel, and use it! Always a good idea on these things. It's a Mopar! That's all that counts.

Oops! Last thing...enjoy!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up! I will mention all these items to my buddy who is building the engine for me. What I was hoping to do was to be around when he builds it, so I could learn first hand.
But with all the snow in Boston and the hour long trip to his house it really isn't an option.

Winter blues has hit hard here in Boston, Lots of snow and NO ROADRUNNER! Bummer...

Service manual like this one?
IMG_3162.jpg
 
Gee, honey! I'm snowed in over here at Jim's shop. I guess we can always work on the engine until the weather breaks. Call in to work for me, will ya?
 
Yeah, that manual will work.

Hope you buddy has messed with Mopars before. Or, you'll both figger why it's been so long. Just be picky with your parts picking. (Have a new set of lifters, that I wouldn't put in my lawnmower, if it used 'em!)

If you can, do some of the hands on stuff. You'll appreciate what's under the hood a bunch more.
 
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