on older stuff just a high psi powerwasher will do as good a job, really...you can powerwash your entire motor right down to the original block paint due to the minimal wiring
I used to street race a 1966 Fury. I found a 383 from a 1970 Charger, gave it a cam, intake, carb, headers and 391 gears and gave many cars a run for their money. Heck it was three years before I got beat and I raced 5.0 liter Mustangs, Ls Trans Ams, Camaros even some import crap like those blue Subaru things with the scoop. What a great motor!
Great vid!! Cool thing about Mopars is the intake is not a water jacket. I changed the valley pan on my '69 and besides a little fire (i drove it home) things went with out a hitch Took about 20 minutes.. I love what you're doing here, man Keep up the great work!! btw,,, i actually had to take a break when you said you wanted to put the focus on the 383. My '69 was sort of a rat (hey, $750 in '77) but the closest thing i had to a 'rod after that was the '72 C-10 SB/Step side that was in the family for over 20 years. Bone stock 350 4bbl 3 speed with dual exhaust but i found the tank sticker when probing around behind the seat. Nothing like a numbers matching ride. Keep on keepin' on!!
This is only meant as constructive criticism. I would leave the original 383 intact for the future. After you change everything but the block (and crank, rods?) to hot rod it, it won't look original anyway, and you risk the chance of damaging the 'number matching' block. Plus, that 440 will always outperform the 383 in that heavy car, given the same mods. Either way, great videos. I'm lovin' this project!
That 440 is in great shape to be that old.. And you should do a 383 stroker with that number match engine, that will put out 4 to 5 hundred horse power.. That would be awesome! And i love your plan on using the 440 until you get the 383 the way you want it.. Keep up the great work and content.. Peace!!
That caked mud was common back when there were lots of dirt roads. You will never see that on new cars as there are hardly any dirt roads left anymore. Sliding around on dirt roads was fun.
Glad you're going to put the original 383 back in. I'm in the process of ordering parts for my 66 charger 383 car so I'm looking forward to see what you do with your charger. I'm starting with the motor and suspension as well. I just ordered a pair of mopar performance original heavy duty leaf springs, shackles and torsion bars from summit. Next will be bilstein shocks and the front end suspension rebuild kit, fun stuff!!
Cleveland Maker thanks alot!! I wasn't to crazy about first gen chargers at first but they grew on me big time!! I fell in love with mine the first time I saw it and i had to have it.
james myers your welcome....its great to see those first gens!.....because they're not the "in crowd cool kids table" 68-70! post pictures when your done!
A friend of mine has a 1966 Charger with a 426 HEMI, 4 Sp, a rare H code car, there was only like 250 built.. And i never really got into that year until i was around his a while, and then i wanted it, lol.. But his is all original, and in very good condition, and he will most likely be buried in that car.. lol..
Cleveland Maker I think the first gen charger is slowly gaining the popularity and recognition it deserves. It's going to take a while but i will post update vids.
Hey Dylan thought I'd give you a little tip. Anytime you have a good engine your going to store for a undetermined length of time. Pull the valve covers and back off all the rocker arms. That way your valves will close and moisture can't creep into the combustion chamber through the exhaust manifolds.
I love your videos Dylan! And you talk all you want. Your thoughts and plans on where you want this build to go are more interesting than watching you wrenching and doing things you can see anywhere on youboob. Also a highlight for me are the Featured Viewer cars at the end. Guys (and gals) have some pretty sweet rides! It's cool you feature them.
Just in case you don't know, the intake for a 440 will NOT fit a 383. The 440 block is taller, which makes the intake pretty much 1 inch wider than a 383. Distributor isn't the same either, for the same reason.
Very cool project, looks like a lot of fun. These cars are so much simpler and easier to work on, they don't make vehicles with this much character anymore either.
Thank god you have the O.G. 383 for that charger, not many (I think?) hp 383 cars where made with as many options as that car has. Great work and can’t wait to see that 383 go back in, but that 440 should be a good supplement for that time being 👍🏻. As always have a good day/night from central Massachusetts!👋🏻
Smart move to stay with the original motor! Over the years too many people tossed aside numbers matching motors to run a 440. It will be worth more if you ever decide to sell it.
+Dylan McCool don't forget too save all the little brackets cause when you get to putting it back together you won't go mad and want to scour the galaxy looking for a special bracket!
440 intake will not fit the 383, angle and width are different nor will the distributor fit shaft length is different but you probably already know that, keep up the good work I enjoy what you are doing.
Bravo Dylan. You did very good work. I like your work. I like your auto service. You are nice man and automechanic. You look like a automechanic who can win the confidence for auto repairing.
Great stuff ive been following these videos its amazing the 383 in it is still the original matching numbers engine for the charger.A pity the car isn't a factory 4speed option but at least its floorshift
That 440 engine should take you only a couple of hours to get ready to bolt back in. You mentioned that the crosshatching is intact: Is there a pronounced ridge? Are there any visible scuff marks? Did the engine have a knock when it was layed up? If not, clean and lube the cylinders, wash the underside of it and button it back up. If there are no scuff marks and no ridge with original crosshatching still visible and no knocking that engine is still within specification. There is a ton of information on how to rebuild a 383 cui. Mopar. The racers that ran these lumps tended to use stock over the counter parts which were at least as good or better than the race pieces of the day. If it were mine to do, my fingers would be itching to tear into it until completion. I probably wouldn't be able to sleep right until it was done. Thank you for the great content. P.S. It seems that you're a farm boy: Don't you have a full slicker? In any case, you're not made of sugar and won't melt. LOL!
Since it is a numbers matching car and motor I would put the 440 in it with all the toy's and I would tag and bag the 383 that way if the car is sold I can give the new owner the car and engine to match.Guy's that restore cars like to buy the complete package and do the motors themselves.That 440 would be perfect for a stroker kit that block is in very good shape no need to machine it.
I ordered a new '68 Charger back then. How long ago was that? Got some background over the years doing cars. I realize you are pretty well underway on this, but here are some thoughts. My basic direction process is this....do a project from the ground up when it's obvious. Tires, brakes suspension, etc, etc. I think you get the picture. Also, big emphisis on SAFETY. Have two (2) fire extinguishers, keep flambles out of the garage. Use goggles, good gloves. Bag and tag everthing that comes apart. Looking at the manifolds makes me think the original engine was 383/4bbl. I also saw the vacuum diphram for the cruise control. That car was loaded. Take pics, not just video. Keep up the good work.
hope you already know that a cast crank 440 balances different than a 383 . using the cc 440 youll need either a counterweighted torque converter or an aftermarket flex plate with the weights . otherwise itll vibrate like crazy
Man if it was me I'd just do a Steve Dulcich Crop Duster tune on that 440 and while it's in your Charger build the 383 like the one in your Pops Barracuda cause that is one nasty sounding "B" motor. Keep on keeping on my friend.
Do you plan to fully restore the charger to stock? If not, then why save the 383? If this will be a custom job, the 440 with some good performance parts will be the better motor?
Did you fellers ever get a steam cleaner? It'd help with the engine bay stuff. Also.. does Rustoleum come in Green? Can't wait for the next Challenger video. Love all this. Great stuff Mr. McCool.
I really like that you are rebuilding the 383. The 440 after you are done with it could go in the Police car. 318's from what I have heard are not a great engine, a Police car is meant to get up and go.
I'm new to watching your stuff, just came across your vlogs maybe a month ago or so, this is the first time ive seen you do some serious mechanical work, didnt realize how much you know. Mucho respect! The charger is gonna be awesome obviously -edit: That sweet old beast is in good hands with you, agree the 383 is best as it matches the car...but...that fresh 440....so tempting....lol
If you can still see the cross hatch and it looks evenly worn down the cylinders, and it hasn't been bored yet, I'd say it's good enough to hone and re use. Save ya anywhere from 500 to a grand in parts and machine work.
71 valiant, powered by the unbelievably unbreakable 225 slant 6 (i kept adding oil so it wouldnt seize since it burned and puked so much oil). It james bond style coated the roads behind me with a slick and an oil cloud, to discourage pursuers
Just me but I'd get a gasket kit and a set of steel shim head gaskets (the 440 will have extra cooling "steam holes" so make sure the gasket matches) and put the 440 back in as it is. Save up for a 383 stroker kit and aluminum heads for the original motor.
I have heard that oven cleaner works great for engine bays and wheel wells pre pressure wash...future episode, Gunk vs Heavy duty Gunk vs oven cleaner (Roadkill plus one).
I would build the 440 into the engine you want with the good parts etc... it will be a much more powerful and fun engine than the 383 would. There's no replacement for cubic inch displacement. Just preserve the 383 and rebuild it bone stock if you want to put back original. I say it's too risky to beat on the original numbers matching engine where is with the 440 it doesn't matter.
goood man you have had me stikking here for 2 hours now !! i just loooove your videos . and you are living my dream in these videos - a place to do stuff like this...enjoy it !
