Save or scrap original engine 1965 383

[Hasty]

I have a 1965 Plymouth Satellite Convertible with a 383 that was my father's. He bought it in 1968. Sometime in the 1970's, he replaced the engine with a 383 from a 1969 Roadrunner. I found what I believe to be the original engine, but it has been sitting in the dirt and weeds on the family farm for the last 30-40 years. It is obviously junk. It is so rusty, the valley pan and oil pan have both rusted completely through.

My plan is to sell the engine for scrap. Am I ever going to regret this? I can't see how anything about it would ever be useful to anyone, but thought I would come here and ask the experts.

 

[monaco66coupe]

There isn't much proof there to attach that block to the car. Personally the 65' is worth as much with what is in the car presently. Unless there is something special about that 383.

 

[GetX'd]

Personally I'd take a picture of it and sell it for scrap. Why would you want to pump a bunch of $$ in to something like that. The car is not going to be worth more or less with the Old engine in it. You're past the point of return with the old rusty motor. In my opinion you won't regret it.

 

[Bb70charger500]

Save the bracket s and pulleys if there still on it besides that Chuck it it's not worth messing with

 

[eric383]

Junk it if it is as bad as you described.

 

[Photon440]

Save something for posterity if you like, like one of the connecting rods. Not any reason to salvage it.

 

[YY1]

pic

 

[mopar 3 B]

One well seasoned block. Rebuilding it should be no different than one that has set in side for years. If there are no holes were there should not be and it comes apart in tact why scrap it?

 

[Deleted member 214]

If the valley pan and oil pan have rusted through, I bet the pistons are rusted in place. The amount of work needed to break them all loose and then clean up the bores? Yikes! Then, there is getting the old cam out.

 

[fratzog lover]

If it will take a rebuild, do it. Keep disassembling until you find a bridge you cant cross. Then junk it. If it all comes apart, congrats. I say go for it, you may be glad you did.

 

[wvmarv]

If it will take a rebuild, do it. Keep disassembling until you find a bridge you cant cross. Then junk it. If it all comes apart, congrats. I say go for it, you may be glad you did.

I completely agree. Is it a 2 bbl or 4 bbl engine? If it is a 4 bbl its probably worth saving in my opinion. Pull the heads and see what it looks like. Keep soaking the pistons with penetrating oil, they will eventually come loose. Anything with bearings like the cam shouldn't be too big of a problem getting it out.