New Shop Built '68 383 Motor - Steps to Take?

[71SandbugCharger]

Happy Friday!

Need advice here, so thanks!

When I bought my project '71 Charger, it came with a 1968 383 motor. The motor was loose, not installed, and described by the seller as: "done at one of the local auto stores where you bring a core in and then they send you back something".

Based on the quality of the other work and parts on the car, I trust and believe the seller that this is a good engine. It has all the tags and date stamps, and I have been obtaining the missing pieces.

Other than putting on the missing pieces, and painting it, what should I do with it before installing it in my Charger???

Take it to someone to check it out? Who?

& No, I did not buy the Cuda - darn!

 

[mopar 3 B]

You could at least check bearing clearances and bolt torques. Make sure the cam has been timed correctly. Do a leak down test on the cylinders and water jackets.

 

[eric383]

Any idea what cam is in it? It would really suck to just drop it in and try to fire it up and you have an issue with the alleged rebuilt motor. X2 on what Mopar 3 B posted.

 

[IQ52]

If it has been stored open like that since 2012 it needs to be completely disassembled, cleaned and reassembled.

 

[SlinktRR]

Take it to a machine shop and have them test on an engine dyno. When you bring it to them they will likely tell you what iq52 posted. Have them reassemble or do yourself but dyno break-in is nice because you are absolutely sure the motor is good and running properly before you go drop it into your car.

 

[71SandbugCharger]

Take it to a machine shop and have them test on an engine dyno. When you bring it to them they will likely tell you what iq52 posted. Have them reassemble or do yourself but dyno break-in is nice because you are absolutely sure the motor is good and running properly before you go drop it into your car.

Thanks, Newby question, but to take it for a dyno, I need everything hooked up (belts, manifold, carb, dist, etc), right??

 

[SlinktRR]

No depending on the shop they can do it for you for a fee. Especially if they are doing a full tear down the cost will just be lumped in with the labor. Just bring all the parts with you when you drop off. It costs money to dyno but it would suck to do the work of installing an engine only to find out it won't run.

 

[mopar 3 B]

There is no absolute way to break your engine in on a dyno to make sure everything has been done properly. Just read a few of the sad post on this site of people who thought the dyno test was all it. If you do not trust the build get it to someone that you do trust if you can not do it yourself. Yes the engine will have to be assembled to dyno it. Also the shop you take it to will have to have the proper plates to attach it to the dyno and many here do not. Something about it not being GM or Ford I guess.

 

[miller]

And they put a crappy stock timing chain on it...

 

[fratzog lover]

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If you button it up and run it, its a recipe for disaster. Dirt gets everywhere. Who knows what could have found its way into the oil pan. The costly answer is disassembly, cleaning, blowing out all passages, measuring, and changing undesirable components, probably the cam and timing chain. Degree the cam(its probably not!) lube and reassemble. Not the inexpensive answer, but if that engine gets smoked...you'll be alot happier later if you check it out now.