Charger Down, Charger down Tennessee has heart failure

[moparjohn]

I was going to town today to get some work done on the Charger (motor mounts) and I heard a flapping sound and then a pop and white smoke out the back.  I had the misfourtune of eatting a valve on #8 and ruining the head and piston. I will need to completely rebuiild the 383 now only 7 days away from the 20 year TDC meet. I thought about a quick engine swap but would this be good just b/4 a 1050 mile 1 way trip? The #'s matching block seems to be ok but this is quite a shock/letdown.  The Charger will have to set this one out I'm afraid. I don't know if I can find/replace an engine that fast and KNOW it's reliable,  Thank God the car decided to go here less than 2 mile from home (I know IT knows) instead of 1050 miles away. Well its time to put this day behind me and focus on the rebuild thought process tomorrw. John

[694spdRT]

That is too bad John. Like you said if it had to happen at least you were close to home and not halfway to Jefferson City.

As far as the engine if you could find one that runs good I don't see a big problem getting it back togther in time but, then heading out on that long of a journey would be a little risky without much time to do some short test runs. Putting a fresh rebuild in there would probably not be the best idea right before a big journey like that unless you can get it broke in good beforehand.

Hope you can still make it to the meet either way....look for the R6 '69 with the hubcaps. 

[terrible one]

Ah man, that's such a bummer. The best of luck to you!

[Wakko]

Wow, definitely a downer, but like you said....better here than 1000 miles from home!!!

[Charger_Croatia]

Wow, definitely a downer, but like you said....better here than 1000 miles from home!!!

[Shakey]

I was going to town today to get some work done on the Charger (motor mounts) and I heard a flapping sound and then a pop and white smoke out the back.  I had the misfourtune of eatting a valve on #8 and ruining the head and piston. I will need to completely rebuiild the 383 now only 7 days away from the 20 year TDC meet. I thought about a quick engine swap but would this be good just b/4 a 1050 mile 1 way trip? The #'s matching block seems to be ok but this is quite a shock/letdown.  The Charger will have to set this one out I'm afraid. I don't know if I can find/replace an engine that fast and KNOW it's reliable,  Thank God the car decided to go here less than 2 mile from home (I know IT knows) instead of 1050 miles away. Well its time to put this day behind me and focus on the rebuild thought process tomorrw. John

Personally, I'd plan on not taking the car to the TDC meet.  Why take a chance to rush a new engine into the car prior to a road trip of that magnatude.  I'd start lining up the parts for the rebuild and take your time so you know it is done properly.  Imagine how you'd feel if you did get  it all done, head out on the road and 200, 500 or 800 miles from home you start experiencing trouble with the engine?  I know it'll be a drag not taking your car but sadly enough, you'll enjoy the trip more without it this time.

Hope it all works out John!

[Blue Pentastar]

Hey John

I am sorry to hear about your engine problems. However I would have to say putting in a replacment engine or quickly rebuilding yours is probably not the best thing unless your made of money or have very good friend who build engines. Take your time and do it right the first time. You are still coming to the meet in Jefferson City right?   Are you riding with someone or bringing your truck?

Mike Schrader

[Brock Samson]

I'm really sorry that happened but i agree, dont rush it...

[moparjohn]

I'm still comming with a friend, Tony  in a 1966. Yes the Charger will be down a while to do it right!

[hemi68charger]

Man, John,,, Sorry to hear about it..... That's gotta stink........... Look forward in seeing ya....... I'll be in Dana.........

Troy

[2fast4u]

         Dodge Charger, musclecar. A car barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's best musclecar. Dodge Charger will be that car. Better than it was before. Better, stronger, faster!


            YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

John, check your PM for a "loaner"

[moparjohn]

Thank all of you for the kind words of support, this has been a long day just thinking out the plan of action. 2 fast it WILL be stronger and faster and as reliable as it has been to this point.  Chris, you have a pm. Thanks again and watch for updates as the motor is readied for rebuild.John

[Big Lebowski]

  Always have a fresh Hemi on stand by, just for these occasions.

[Dale The Bold]

Wow, definitely a downer, but like you said....better here than 1000 miles from home!!!

Which is exactly what happened to me two weeks ago.  Well, 475 miles anyway.  This will be the last time I am this far away from my Charger for this long.  It's not right being this far away.  The engine is being rebuilt by Jasper Engines as we type.

[Shakey]

John, check your PM for a "loaner"

Can I also borrow your car for a weekend Chris? August 19th & 20th would be great. 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

John, check your PM for a "loaner"

Can I also borrow your car for a weekend Chris? August 19th & 20th would be great.

   the "loaner" part was for a spare 440 I have.......not my car!  Although "renting" might be a nice money maker

[Shakey]

John, check your PM for a "loaner"

Can I also borrow your car for a weekend Chris? August 19th & 20th would be great.

   the "loaner" part was for a spare 440 I have.......not my car!  Although "renting" might be a nice money maker

I said borrow, never said anything about renting.  However, I will slip you $20.00 USD to put towards a new pair of rear tires after I'm finished with it.

[Chris G.]

   the "loaner" part was for a spare 440 I have.......not my car!  Although "renting" might be a nice money maker

Speaking of Rent, how's my engine cradle doing? That rent bill is going to be super high. 

John, too bad you can't bring the ride to the show. You are truly the Iron Man of Charger drivers. Good thing there's no Mopar show in China...you would probably make the trip. 

Let's hope you can make Carlisle with it? 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

   the "loaner" part was for a spare 440 I have.......not my car!  Although "renting" might be a nice money maker

Speaking of Rent, how's my engine cradle doing? That rent bill is going to be super high. 

John, too bad you can't bring the ride to the show. You are truly the Iron Man of Charger drivers. Good thing there's no Mopar show in China...you would probably make the trip. 

Let's hope you can make Carlisle with it? 

That cradle was part of the package deal, you dont remember?......I'll loan it to you next time you have another boat anchor you need to store......

[bill440rt]

John, that's a shame.   
Best of luck to you. Don't worry, you'll be driving your Charger again before you know it! 

[resq302]

John,

If you need a really good engine guy who is probably fairly local to you, let me know.  He did our motor for the elky and has been building all kinds of engines including race type engines for over 25 years.  He is down in the New Brunswick area.  If you are interested, let me know and I can have my dad get his number for you.  If I remember correctly, I think he took like 2-3 weeks to do the engine.   He has all of the equipment in his shop to bore, align hone, deck, plane, boil the block, etc.  The works!  Really stand up guy also and has built a couple of real nice hemi engines.

Brian

[moparjohn]

Well here's the update. I with the help of a certain baggpiper I know got the engine out today.  I then took it down to my buddy Dave's house - he and I will perform the rebuild.  His father bought a 70 Challanger new and just rebuilt the engine last year. The car runs 13.4
's in the 1/4.  We are going to use a simular formula on my 383.  We measured for the C/R  and give a 7.9 to 1 or so as the car was before the rebuild (it was rebuilt in 93 long B/4 I had it) so we can be assured this car will really benifit from the rebuild. We will shoot for he 10.25 to 1 C/R that the engine was supposed to have when new, and in Magnum items (windage tray) and then select pistons/cam ect. for optimum performane/drivability because you all know I love to drive it.  John

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Good news John!
Now remember your words "I love to drive it"

When selecting components for the rebuild, resist the temptation to "go fast" (high compression, big cam etc)  Most times a lot of that stuff drives the driveability factor out the window.

Choose wisely grasshopper!

My 

[y3chargerrt]

Bummer John. You have alot of work to do before Carlisle!! I would shoot for a cr of 9.0-9.5 so it will survive of todays shitty gas. Ron

[resq302]

John, 

Now might be a good time to tackle that engine compartment while the engine is out also.  I know it will be added work but it will make life a lot easier with the motor being out and redone at the same time.  Just a thought....

[bill440rt]

John,

If you need a really good engine guy who is probably fairly local to you, let me know.  He did our motor for the elky and has been building all kinds of engines including race type engines for over 25 years.  He is down in the New Brunswick area.  If you are interested, let me know and I can have my dad get his number for you.  If I remember correctly, I think he took like 2-3 weeks to do the engine.   He has all of the equipment in his shop to bore, align hone, deck, plane, boil the block, etc.  The works!  Really stand up guy also and has built a couple of real nice hemi engines.

Brian

Brian, I'd REALLY like to know the name of that engine builder, I'm right next to New Brunswick. I had both the engines in my '68 & '70 done by NT Racing in Middlesex (also close to New Brunswick). I am VERY happy with the engines & how they run. He builds lots of drag racing engines, also. Does your guy pre-run the engine for break-in & dyno? Thanks!

John, I have to side with Chris & Ron regarding compression. If at all possible, try to keep it below 10:1, unless you plan on running aluminum heads. 9.5:1 is about the max these days. My 440 in the '68 is also 10.25:1, & I've had quite a battle controlling the ping even on Ultra94. I used to run a Cam2 mixture, but I can't get it anymore. It's probably up to $10 a gallon, anyway. I do run octane boost on occasion. I ended up disconnecting the vacuum advance & retarding the timing. It's much better/easier to maximize a lower compression engine than to try to detune/retard a higher compression cammed engine. My  also.

[resq302]

Bill,

PM sent.

[moparjohn]

Chris, thanks for the insight, Brain, thanks for the lead but as you read I have a place, Ron, sorry but I will not have the car at Carlisle I am leaving for the TDC meet Wed. and get back next Tues. and even if I was home I could not be ready by then. John

[resq302]

John,

Will you be going to Carlisle at all (even without the car)?  If so, feel free to stop over to my family tent.  We can share woes about our chargers this year.  Between your engine and my body damage.....we need to find someone that has had either tranny failure or rear end failure to join us.   

[moparjohn]

Yes, My "spot" will have a lifesize picture of my car so no one will notice mt cars absence.

[resq302]

John,

If it will make you feel better, we can cut a hole in my roof so you don't go into sunroof withdrawl.

[Lowprofile]

  Always have a fresh Hemi on stand by, just for these occasions.

"Because that's how the Dude Rolls"