383 and 440 engines

[Steve P.]

440  nuff said....

[bull]

There is another option (well, several actually) but a guy I knew was trying to sell a '69 Charger with a built 340 it in and that thing was a monster too. I went for a ride with him in it and I was surprised how fast it was. There are a lot of 340s out there that can take most 440s.

[Ghoste]

I had a 340 in a Charger once and I hated it myself.  It was great once it got moving but it had no torque.  That of course, was a thing with that engine and by no means labels all 340's that way.  Not to mention, they are lighter and can be stroked huge and it was 25 years ago when I did that etc.

[MoparYoungGun]

There is another option (well, several actually) but a guy I knew was trying to sell a '69 Charger with a built 340 it in and that thing was a monster too. I went for a ride with him in it and I was surprised how fast it was. There are a lot of 340s out there that can take most 440s.

That would have to be one built 340 to take a even a mild 440. My uncle has a MP 360/380 crate that has had some work done to it. I will be the first to admit it, his car is fast. His friend has a '68 Road Runner with a mild 440. My uncle got spanked by that 440, not that he cares he cruises in it not races it. Obviously, my point is a mild 440 can take a well built 340/360 from my experiences. That's just my . Good luck CB !

[AzraelsCharger]

I would keep the 383 myself. I just see no reason to let a good motor rot under a tarp; regardless of power capabilities. If it's shot; then go for the 440. 440 is about the best big block you can buy in a muscle car that isn't a Hemi.

[BigBlockSam]

,,build it to about 400-425 hp   

   a 440

[bull]

And storage won't be a problem.

Maybe not now but can you predict the future? It does depend on your situation of course but I'd say if you're under 50 years of age you'll probably be moving a few more times before you die. And storing something like that at someone else's house can be as much or more of a hassle. I would consider something like this very carefully before making a long-term decision. It's not like a TV or a couch, it's more like a piano or freezer. You don't just pick a 383 up off the floor and move it around if it gets in the way.

[Doc74]

I agree with keep the 383, clean it up over time and store it, you never know if you want to sell the charger (to get a better one of course  ) and get a nice, little beyond stock 440. (where would you get that actually ? Holland? )
Now for the fuel specialists here, for me it doesn't matter anymore but it might help CB and everyone else from the lowlands here and maybe other parts of the globe (do we still have a members map ??)
When i was in the states I saw what i heard was true, low octane fuel ranging from 81? to like 90.
All we have here is 95 and 98, some places still have 93.What change, if any, would it give to an engine?I'm still amazed a car like a charger can run on anyting below 90 really.My 2 liter, 20 year old Euro ford scorpio drives oddly enough like a dream but I wouldn't dare to fill it with anything but 98 octane and only from reputable stations, if I don't it'll 'diesel'.
What do you guys use?Especially in moderate to daily use?Will 95 or 98 do something negative to the valve seats under stress?Should be the other way round but again, I don't know enough about it.
Curious on your thoughts on this.

Help CB out here fellas, with current prices being 1.41 euros or $1.72 PER LITER, it helps to know if you really need the expensive stuff 

[Runner]

And storage won't be a problem.

You don't just pick a 383 up off the floor and move it around if it gets in the way.

  a bare block is nothing like a freezer,  more like a end table. easily stored in the corner of most any closet. there is no way id let that issue influance my choice.     

[firefighter3931]

And storage won't be a problem.

You don't just pick a 383 up off the floor and move it around if it gets in the way.

  a bare block is nothing like a freezer,   more like a end table. easily stored in the corner of most any closet. there is no way id let that issue influance my choice.        

I've moved many 383/440 bare blocks by myself. Just tear it down and box up the parts....then it's easy to move.   Do the 440 and get it over with !  

Ron

[Steve P.]

I bought 4 casters at Home Depot for about $8.00 and screwed them to a small rectangle of 5/8ths plywood. Not only is it easy to move the block I put on it around, but I can slide it under my shelving unit completely out of the way...      

I will be buying more wheels.........

[Chargerguy74]

make one of those glass coffee tables out of your matching numbers 383 block. This way you'll not only have a place to store the block, but it'll double as a table.....and look sweet.

[bull]

And storage won't be a problem.

You don't just pick a 383 up off the floor and move it around if it gets in the way.

  a bare block is nothing like a freezer,   more like a end table. easily stored in the corner of most any closet. there is no way id let that issue influance my choice.        

In the closet? Are you a bachelor by any chance? I guess it's just personal preference of course but I'm not fond of clutter. The most annoying thing to me is something that just sits around collecting dust. If I see something in my house or garage that hasn't been used in two or three years I usually find a way to toss it. Especially if it's something big.

[CB]

And storage won't be a problem.

You don't just pick a 383 up off the floor and move it around if it gets in the way.

  a bare block is nothing like a freezer,  more like a end table. easily stored in the corner of most any closet. there is no way id let that issue influance my choice.     

In the closet? Are you a bachelor by any chance? I guess it's just personal preference of course but I'm not fond of clutter. The most annoying thing to me is something that just sits around collecting dust. If I see something in my house or garage that hasn't been used in two or three years I usually find a way to toss it. Especially if it's something big.

like you're wife? 

Sorry, bad joke....

[Ghoste]

I laughed.

[MoparYoungGun]

Me too!

[Runner]

And storage won't be a problem.

You don't just pick a 383 up off the floor and move it around if it gets in the way.

  a bare block is nothing like a freezer,   more like a end table. easily stored in the corner of most any closet. there is no way id let that issue influance my choice.        

In the closet? Are you a bachelor by any chance? I guess it's just personal preference of course but I'm not fond of clutter. The most annoying thing to me is something that just sits around collecting dust. If I see something in my house or garage that hasn't been used in two or three years I usually find a way to toss it. Especially if it's something big.

   ive been married for 19 years,  been with the same woman for for 22.  if the closet was the only place to store our numbers matching engine, then she would be the first to want it there. i guess im lucky in that my wife loves the mopars as much, if not more than me.  infact she no longer will let me sell any parts to fund other things, and while that my be an issue with some people it was the very reason i was able to convert my 68 satellite from a 318 2 barrel car over to a 13 second 383 3.23 suregrip car for 1200 dollars, including the price of the doner motor and trans and suregrip. motor is a fresh rering with all new parts minus pistons machinework.  tranny is all new as well.   

   i have spare rearends, trannies, fenders, doors, engines, ect none in my closet though, just a nice tidy out of the way place.  shoes can sit nicly on it.

[bull]

    ive been married for 19 years,   been with the same woman for for 22.   if the closet was the only place to store our numbers matching engine, then she would be the first to want it there. i guess im lucky in that my wife loves the mopars as much, if not more than me.   infact she no longer will let me sell any parts to fund other things, and while that my be an issue with some people it was the very reason i was able to convert my 68 satellite from a 318 2 barrel car over to a 13 second 383 3.23 suregrip car for 1200 dollars, including the price of the doner motor and trans and suregrip. motor is a fresh rering with all new parts minus pistons machinework.   tranny is all new as well.     

    i have spare rearends, trannies, fenders, doors, engines, ect none in my closet though, just a nice tidy out of the way place.   shoes can sit nicly on it.

Well, be sure to clean the car parts real good before you put them in the closet, if it ever comes to that. If I ever get that desperate for space I might as well forget the hobby car.

[Ghoste]

I have some interior parts in the basement but even that is pushing it in our house.  No parts in the closet and no greasy stuff in the house anywhere.  She gets mad each time she finds some "new" place I've discovered to stash a guitar, there's no way the car is moving inside too.

[Chargerguy74]

I keep my really nice parts on my bed so they can't get damaged......I sleep on the couch

[CB]

I kept a lot of parts in the bedroom too.

Stashing the 383 under the bed will be a 'little' problem