Rebuild numbers engine or stow it and do a transplant?

[bull]

I was having a PM discussion with a member here about whether I should rebuild and reinstall the original 383 for my '68 or if I should play it safe and buy a rebuilt 383 or 440 to make sure I don't bust the original, numbers matching engine block. Things to consider: 1. I don't have a lot of room to store an extra engine. 2. My Jan. 8, '68 has only a casting date of Aug. xx, 1967 and a distributor pad stamping of D383 so it's most likely the correct engine but there's no way to prove it 100%, although there's no way to disprove it either. 3. The car is a rare 383/2bbl/4spd car and I finally did locate an original numbers carb for it but I don't yet know if the engine has been modified. 4. I have everything I need to return the car to factory specs but do I store that stuff or use it?? 5. I'm not looking to race so I have no qualms about running a 383 rather than a 440. I think the 383 is one of the best engines ever built.

Anyway, please don't give me a bunch of gobblygook about a crate 426 or 472 or 6.1 or whatever. I honestly don't give a rip about that crap because I'm not made of money and wouldn't spend $13k-$20k on an engine even if I was. I am a big KISS fan, Keep It Simple Stupid.

So, what do you think?

[deputycrawford]

Use another 383 block and use an in exspensive 472 kit in the block. They are around $1300 for the entire rotational kit. You will have a very mild acting 472 that looks like your stock 383 and you will save your exsisting block. Don't knock the 472 kit. Most rebuilds need crank, rods and pistons anyway. I believe the kit comes with rings and bearings too. You are only looking to save the original block. It doesn't matter if its been bored or repaired once already. At least its still with the car. If cost is everything then just use mostly stock parts; but use another block. Just my 4 cents.

[Chryco Psycho]

3 million 383 were built & numerous 400s I would grab one & build it instead of the #S engine

[gtx6970]

Unless you plan to  beat on it, use it. If built right it should have no qualms with an occasional spinup

[69_500]

I agree, go with another 383, or a 400. They aren't that expensive, to pick up another block. You can use the same heads, and such. The block is the only real important part if you wanting to keep something for future resale value. No way to prove that the other parts came on your specific car.

[70charger_boy]

I was so worried about keeping the motor on my trans am, so when I was ready to rebuildthe motor I bought a crate and stored the original in my garage, well anyway 6 months later the motor fell off the stand and the block was cracked.  If I didn't have bad luck I would have no luck at all

[8WHEELER]

Its really your call, you can listen to many of our opinions and make your own decision.

I have a 70 440 in my red charger now, I had it bored 30 over 26yrs ago, I can't tell
you how many times I have gone down the 1/4 mile with it running mid 12's with stock
tires on 5.5in wide magnums, and 12.5 to 1 comp. The car still has that engine in it today
after driving it to college every day, and driving it when ever and on long trips, I never
did worry about it. I put this engine together, yes I have seen pro build engines last
only a year, but if done right, you should be able to build an engine for your car, and
never have to worry about it again, I know your not going to drive the piss out of
it like I have, or drive it every day.

OK, I had my say    make up your own mind. Having said that, I am thinking about
selling my 68 383 4 barrel engine ''D383''  but its in great shape, standard bore, intake
to pan, and I will not sell it cheap that's for sure, good standard bore complete 68
383 engines are getting hard to find, maybe I should not have even said anything   

Dan

[Rolling_Thunder]

I have a smoothed 383 block sitting under my pile of shit at work....      only problem is someone chipped the oil pickup tube thread area...   will need to be welded or use external oil lines...        and when i say smoothed i mean smoothed...    no casting numbers, dates, anything...    all sharp edges have been rounded off to a small degree and all extra flashing taken on...     really a cool thing to look at....     

Bull - where are you located ?  I know of two complete 383 long blocks that ran when pulled from their cars.....     they are sitting on the shelves at the shop.

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree a properly built big block is not likely to blow up even if you beat it mercilessly But for $100 or less I bet you can get another block

[firefighter3931]

My  Build the backup engine and save the numbers block....they can only be numbers matching once and if you window the block, you'll be kicking yourself in the A$$ ! I'd get a late model cast crank 440 (Cheap), throw some 6-pack pistons in it and use the 452 heads that allready have the hard ex. seats for unleaded fuel. 


Ron

[bull]

I have a smoothed 383 block sitting under my pile of shit at work....      only problem is someone chipped the oil pickup tube thread area...   will need to be welded or use external oil lines...        and when i say smoothed i mean smoothed...    no casting numbers, dates, anything...    all sharp edges have been rounded off to a small degree and all extra flashing taken on...     really a cool thing to look at....     

Bull - where are you located ?  I know of two complete 383 long blocks that ran when pulled from their cars.....     they are sitting on the shelves at the shop.

I'm in Oregon near Portland.

Thanks for the opinions, guys. I'm going to make a call to an engine builder here in town and get some prices on 440s and 383s.

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

i say go with the stock #'s match 383 as what the point in restoring the car if it has its #'s match tranny and not engine? a blown up #'s match 383 is as good 2 u as if it were sitting at home-MATT

[Lord Warlock]

Add another vote for rebuilding the stock numbers matching block.  If you have the correct block, why not rebuild it and install it where it belongs?  I'd understand if you planned on racing the car fairly often and didn't want to take the chance on ruining the block, but if you are planning on driving to shows and street driving it, put the stock one back in, it will increase the value overall, and should you ever part with it, you'll be glad you put the stock motor in it.  Storing an extra block in the garage (especially a 383/440) can be a pain unless you have a huge garage.  I kept a spare in mine for 2 years and finally donated it to a friend just to stop tripping over it or bashing my ankles on it when trying to walk by. 

[jerry]

since you don't even know if its the original block and there is nothing rare about it to begin with and you can't make up your mind what you are doing without asking a bunch of strangers then i would  put it in the car and forget about it. just my opinion

[bull]

since you don't even know if its the original block and there is nothing rare about it to begin with and you can't make up your mind what you are doing without asking a bunch of strangers then i would  put it in the car and forget about it. just my opinion

Nothing rare except it's one of 74. That's not rare enough for you?

And so far you're about the only one who's chimed in I would consider a stranger. I've known many of these other guys for about four years or so.

[jerry]

since you don't even know if its the original block and there is nothing rare about it to begin with and you can't make up your mind what you are doing without asking a bunch of strangers then i would  put it in the car and forget about it. just my opinion

Nothing rare except it's one of 74. That's not rare enough for you?

And so far you're about the only one who's chimed in I would consider a stranger. I've known many of these other guys for about four years or so. then why did you say you do not know for sure its the original engine?if you didn't buy the car new then you don't. are you saying a 2-bbl 4-speed car is rare? just because its one of 74 as you say could mean nobody wanted one this way and i doubt anyone would care if it had a numbers matching 383 2-bbl engine. now a slant six would be rare.

[bull]

since you don't even know if its the original block and there is nothing rare about it to begin with and you can't make up your mind what you are doing without asking a bunch of strangers then i would  put it in the car and forget about it. just my opinion

Nothing rare except it's one of 74. That's not rare enough for you?

And so far you're about the only one who's chimed in I would consider a stranger. I've known many of these other guys for about four years or so. then why did you say you do not know for sure its the original engine?if you didn't buy the car new then you don't. are you saying a 2-bbl 4-speed car is rare? just because its one of 74 as you say could mean nobody wanted one this way and i doubt anyone would care if it had a numbers matching 383 2-bbl engine. now a slant six would be rare.

I'll attempt to educate you one this topic, even though it appears comprehensive reading is not your strong point. Most early 1968 Chargers did not have partial VIN stampings, and none of the '68s had them on the lower side of the block like the '69s and '70s had so an exact match on an early '68 is not possible. The later '68s had partial VINs on the upper bellhousing where the trans. bolts on. However, what we do have to go on with the early ones is a casting date coupled with a manufacture stamp near the base of the distributor on the early '68s. My car left the assembly plant on Jan. 8, 1968 and the engine has an Aug. '67 casting date and a D383 stamping at the distributor base (they were stamped during installation) which means it is a 1967 383 for use in a 1968 Dodge. The chances of this engine not being the numbers matching engine are slim to none, that's why I said it would be easier to prove it is the original engine than to prove it is not. The criteria used to prove this is as accurate as it gets for that era.

As far as rarity vs. desirability, I'd say a factory four speed, big block '68 Charger is about as desirable as it gets. Would you like to tell us about your Charger?

[70charger_boy]

well said satanistic Dr. Z 

[max]

i have to agree with the others who say to find another engine for a build up and save the #'s block. as stated 383 can be fairly cheap to come by and for me an original #'s block would be worth way more then the price of a donor engine including the price of a rebuild.

[jerry]

since you don't even know if its the original block and there is nothing rare about it to begin with and you can't make up your mind what you are doing without asking a bunch of strangers then i would  put it in the car and forget about it. just my opinion

Nothing rare except it's one of 74. That's not rare enough for you?

And so far you're about the only one who's chimed in I would consider a stranger. I've known many of these other guys for about four years or so. then why did you say you do not know for sure its the original engine?if you didn't buy the car new then you don't. are you saying a 2-bbl 4-speed car is rare? just because its one of 74 as you say could mean nobody wanted one this way and i doubt anyone would care if it had a numbers matching 383 2-bbl engine. now a slant six would be rare.

I'll attempt to educate you one this topic, even though it appears comprehensive reading is not your strong point. Most early 1968 Chargers did not have partial VIN stampings, and none of the '68s had them on the lower side of the block like the '69s and '70s had so an exact match on an early '68 is not possible. The later '68s had partial VINs on the upper bellhousing where the trans. bolts on. However, what we do have to go on with the early ones is a casting date coupled with a manufacture stamp near the base of the distributor on the early '68s. My car left the assembly plant on Jan. 8, 1968 and the engine has an Aug. '67 casting date and a D383 stamping at the distributor base (they were stamped during installation) which means it is a 1967 383 for use in a 1968 Dodge. The chances of this engine not being the numbers matching engine are slim to none, that's why I said it would be easier to prove it is the original engine than to prove it is not. The criteria used to prove this is as accurate as it gets for that era.

As far as rarity vs. desirability, I'd say a factory four speed, big block '68 Charger is about as desirable as it gets. Would you like to tell us about your Charger?      the chances of this engine being the one out of your car are slim at most. if you didn't buy the car new you do not know if its the original so stop blowing smoke.if you say a 68 charger with a 383  2-bbl 4 speed is rare then so be it.but if i was to brag about a rare charger it would be  a real big block car not the 2-bbl version.like i said before a slant six charger is rare. the 383's are a dime a dozen .most are 440 cars now. put your rare motor in the corner and cuss it everytime you trip over it . go find a 440 rt 4-spd car  if you want a desireable charger or a hemi,or a daytona.

[bull]

since you don't even know if its the original block and there is nothing rare about it to begin with and you can't make up your mind what you are doing without asking a bunch of strangers then i would  put it in the car and forget about it. just my opinion

Nothing rare except it's one of 74. That's not rare enough for you?

And so far you're about the only one who's chimed in I would consider a stranger. I've known many of these other guys for about four years or so. then why did you say you do not know for sure its the original engine?if you didn't buy the car new then you don't. are you saying a 2-bbl 4-speed car is rare? just because its one of 74 as you say could mean nobody wanted one this way and i doubt anyone would care if it had a numbers matching 383 2-bbl engine. now a slant six would be rare.

I'll attempt to educate you one this topic, even though it appears comprehensive reading is not your strong point. Most early 1968 Chargers did not have partial VIN stampings, and none of the '68s had them on the lower side of the block like the '69s and '70s had so an exact match on an early '68 is not possible. The later '68s had partial VINs on the upper bellhousing where the trans. bolts on. However, what we do have to go on with the early ones is a casting date coupled with a manufacture stamp near the base of the distributor on the early '68s. My car left the assembly plant on Jan. 8, 1968 and the engine has an Aug. '67 casting date and a D383 stamping at the distributor base (they were stamped during installation) which means it is a 1967 383 for use in a 1968 Dodge. The chances of this engine not being the numbers matching engine are slim to none, that's why I said it would be easier to prove it is the original engine than to prove it is not. The criteria used to prove this is as accurate as it gets for that era.

As far as rarity vs. desirability, I'd say a factory four speed, big block '68 Charger is about as desirable as it gets. Would you like to tell us about your Charger?      the chances of this engine being the one out of your car are slim at most. if you didn't buy the car new you do not know if its the original so stop blowing smoke.if you say a 68 charger with a 383  2-bbl 4 speed is rare then so be it.but if i was to brag about a rare charger it would be  a real big block car not the 2-bbl version.like i said before a slant six charger is rare. the 383's are a dime a dozen .most are 440 cars now. put your rare motor in the corner and cuss it everytime you trip over it . go find a 440 rt 4-spd car  if you want a desireable charger or a hemi,or a daytona.

First off, it might be a good idea to learn how to use the quote function so people can decipher which words are yours without trying to read the fine print inside the purple highlighted area. Some proper capitalization and punctuation at at least the fifth grade level wouldn't hurt either.

You apparently have no clue about this stuff if you think I am blowing smoke. However, you are quite plainly talking out your ass. You have no authority on this subject whatsoever, nobody knows you from Adam, and being a smartass about it hardly helps your case. For example, the carb size has nothing to do with the engine being a big block or not -- basic stuff for any on-line know-it-all, so I'd advise you learn it. I am not bragging about anything, I'm merely pointing out the fact that you don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. There are no 'dime-a-dozen' Chargers anymore and the people who once sniffed at the 318 Chargers are now taking them very seriously.

So, did you tell us about your Charger? I'm afraid I must have missed it the first time if you did.

[jerry]

calm down now we are talking about a 290 horse 2-bbl non magnum manifold charger not a real big block charger.the way you defend that car a guy would think you are talking about a real muscle car.as i said before i would put the so called original motor in a corner. someone may give you $100.00 for it to put in a c-body.when you sell the car the buyer will probably say keep it when you say i have a 2-bbl motor that goes with it. have a good day the end

[hemigeno]

As far as rarity vs. desirability, I'd say a factory four speed, big block '68 Charger is about as desirable as it gets. Would you like to tell us about your Charger?      the chances of this engine being the one out of your car are slim at most. if you didn't buy the car new you do not know if its the original so stop blowing smoke.if you say a 68 charger with a 383  2-bbl 4 speed is rare then so be it.but if i was to brag about a rare charger it would be  a real big block car not the 2-bbl version.like i said before a slant six charger is rare. the 383's are a dime a dozen .most are 440 cars now. put your rare motor in the corner and cuss it everytime you trip over it . go find a 440 rt 4-spd car  if you want a desireable charger or a hemi,or a daytona.

Couldn't be farther from the truth there, jerry.

I would speculate just the OPPOSITE of what you are saying... the chances are quite HIGH that the engine is bull's original, even if the VIN or SO numbers are not stamped on the block.  If you want to talk probabilities, try and calculate what the odds are that a correct casting date, non-HP, '68 model year, 383 engine just happened to end up in bull's car. From a statistical standpoint, I think you will find the odds are higher that this is the car's original powerplant.  If the original engine had been roached and replaced (years after the car was new), chances are the replacement engine found and installed would not have been from the exact timeperiod AND have been a non-HP variant of a very common engine.  No one would have likely taken the time to worry about such details, until perhaps the last 10 years or so when the values of base-model (non R/T) Chargers started climing.

The 383 2bbl wasn't considered an HP engine by Chrysler, so no ID marks were stamped in them in 1968 ('69+ is a totally different story).  What I have read said that only 383HP, 440HP & Hemi engines received a "numbers-matching" ID stamp.  Some other guys can chime in to confirm or dispel that information, but so far everything I have seen tends to reinforce this theory.

As a side note, the last time I checked, the 383 was a big block - no matter what carb it came with.  Always was, always will be.

Bull, there should also be an engine assembly date stamped on the block somewhere too.  I don't remember off the top of my head where the '68 dates were stamped, as I seem to recall that they weren't stamped on the pad below the distributor like they are on '69+ (and might be in the 10,000 day calendar format).  That could establish even further the connection to your car - even though there's never going to be a VIN/SO number to 100% prove it.

My vote?  Build up the engine that you have.  Quite honestly, you might be able to find another 383 block from that timeperiod in the unlikely event that you did blow that one up beyond repair.  I think it's a very neat, desirable and rare car - and I would personally like to see a car like that kept as original as possible (but it's not my car so it's not my decision).

One last thing, jerry...  the comment that you made, about needing to be the original owner to know for certain that a car's non-stamped engine was original, just doesn't hold water.  There is nothing that guarantees that even an engine with a matching VIN/SO# stamp is indeed the correct/original engine, since there are a TON of less-than-honest people with a die-stamp kit who have made their cars numbers-matching in the pursuit of profit.  For that matter, even an original owner of a non-stamped engine'd car could fudge the truth about it having the original engine if it meant getting more dinero.  Guess that means that if you yourself weren't the original owner of the car to verify that the engine has never been replaced, then it can never be an absolute certainty that the engine has not been replaced and/or restamped (if applicable).  Life is too short to be that cynical.

[deputycrawford]

I also have to disagree with jerry. I have a numbers 2 bbl 383 that I still have all the parts for. Mine is still the numbers engine but now has a 4 bbl with 485 HP. It was int he same family until 2001 in the same city as it was purchased new. That will mean something to someone in the future. Any numbers engine will make a car worthy to many more buyers in the future. I am kinda miffed at the statement that my car is worth nothing because it is a 383. Its not going to Barrett Jackson.

[8WHEELER]

Bull, there should also be an engine assembly date stamped on the block somewhere too.  I don't remember off the top of my head where the '68 dates were stamped, as I seem to recall that they weren't stamped on the pad below the distributor like they are on '69+ (and might be in the 10,000 day calendar format).  That could establish even further the connection to your car - even though there's never going to be a VIN/SO number to 100% prove it.

Yes, on the 68 big blocks there was also an assembly date stamped on that pad, below the ''D383'' in this case.
His block is most likely the original unit. The August casting date could easily be correct, and the assembly date
should be ''in most cases in 68'' 1 to 2 months earlier than the assembly date on the car. So his January car
should have an assembly date of November or December on his engine pad.

Bull, you no my opinion, but if you put in a differend 383, I would look for another 68 casting. Like I said they
are not real easy and cheap to find as others have stated. But if you don't want to run the original 383, another
68 cast 383 block would still be very nice for your car.  You don't need to run a 440, you can pull plenty of
power out of a 383, and still be able to tell interested party's yes its still a 383 car, just something to keep in mind.

Dan

[jerry]

all this couda woulda shoulda about a numbers matching motor is just what i was saying. you all say the same thing but no one can say its the right motor for car even the guy that owns it says that. so you are wasting your ink pointing that out .he wanted to know if he should rebuild the motor he has that is in question . his car is 39 yrs old and if this motor is the original and still around in one peice and he rebuilds  it, it should out live both he and the car unless he plans to start drag racing his very rare 2-bbl charger and even then he would never blow the motor.this is my opinion on the question he ask.
this is my opinion on the rare carb option. i would give less for the car if it was a 2-bbl . rare doesn't mean desireable when we are talking muscle cars. a 318 or slant six will bring the same money as this car.

[bull]

Tell us about your Charger again, jerry. I keep missing that part. I think you've moved beyond simply 'obtuse' to 'blithering idiot.'

Anyway, to the rest of you who don't have small man's complex: I think it would be good to see about finding another 383 block that might have a late '67 casting date to put in my fake muscle car. I found a couple of 383 and 440 blocks on craigs list but I think they were both '66. Like Dan says, these engines are getting hard to find. I used to be able to call the local rebuilder to get prices on 440s and 383s but when I called them the other day they only had one 440, he said for a motor home.

[jerry]

i see you got my point .which is what i was trying to help you with.hope it makes it easier for you to make up your mind. :my cars are not near as rare as yours so i won't bore you with the details.the best thing about my car is the plugs are easy to change because they are in the center of valve cover and it has the heavy hemi 4-sp with a very heavy 410 dana rear end and won't get near the gas mpg as your 2-bbl.everything about this car is big and heavy radiator fuel line rear springs .i wonder how it even gets out of its own way but thats all i have.

[terrible one]

Bull,

Personally, I would definitely go towards building another engine for your car. I wouldn't want to risk losing the (highly likely) numbers matching block, because you never know what could happen. If you do decide on going with another engine, why not go ahead and put a 440 in there?

Jerry,

You show your ignorance with every post. Furthermore, you can't tell that you are completely making a fool of yourself. I'd like to find another person who thinks that a 318 car will bring the same money as a 383 4spd car, given the same conditions. Personally, I think you are lying out of your ass when it comes to your car too. Anyone can type it onto a forum. How about some pictures and numbers?

[hemigeno]

my cars are not near as rare as yours so i won't bore you with the details.the best thing about my car is the plugs are easy to change because they are in the center of valve cover and it has the heavy hemi 4-sp with a very heavy 410 dana rear end and won't get near the gas mpg as your 2-bbl.everything about this car is big and heavy radiator fuel line rear springs .i wonder how it even gets out of its own way but thats all i have.

jerry, it is comments exactly like yours that almost makes me want to apologize for being the owner of a Hemicar myself.  Guys like you that run down other cars that "don't measure up" to your standards are what is slowly sending the Mopar hobby down the road to Corvette-ism.

May that never happen...

[Ghoste]

Jerry, I thought you had a Six Pack RR or Bee?

[bull]

i see you got my point .which is what i was trying to help you with.hope it makes it easier for you to make up your mind. :my cars are not near as rare as yours so i won't bore you with the details.the best thing about my car is the plugs are easy to change because they are in the center of valve cover and it has the heavy hemi 4-sp with a very heavy 410 dana rear end and won't get near the gas mpg as your 2-bbl.everything about this car is big and heavy radiator fuel line rear springs .i wonder how it even gets out of its own way but thats all i have.

Oh, you're talking about that little 270 2bbl, right? Come now, if you insist on pulling your pants down to compare let's not be doubling the tape measure over.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,21285.msg234257.html#msg234257
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,18313.msg202278.html#msg202278

the transmission is a 2 speed auto with shifter on dash. i am new to all this foward look cars as they call them [55-61]. i have heard that the 270 poly and the 270 hemi share alot of parts.this car is in real nice shape for sitting in a barn for 35 yrs. i pulled the heads and the cyl walls look fine with no rust. but it is stuck. i used some PB blaster on it, now i guess its a wating game. car has 50,000 miles on it.

in 55 the dodge royal , custom royal and royal lancer came with the 270 poly , or the 270 hemi.
both engines are 2-bbl.

Should I mock you now because I have more CI and a four speed instead of a push button two speed? I've never really understood Classic Mopar fans who mock other Classic Mopar fans over their choice in Classic Mopars. This is a Charger website after all and if you mock one guy who owns a '68 big block four speed you're actually mocking a lot of people here. Get over yourself, punk. Owning a $500 '55 red ram with a stuck little 2bbl engine is not really a great place to start if you've decided to take on the task of 'arrogant bastard' on a Dodge Charger website. I know guys with pristine, numbers-matching 426 hemi cars who've got better attitudes than you. Do you work at hlpag by chance?

[Shakey]

So Bull - did you make up your mind yet?

I guess the bottom line depends on what you are going to do with the car.  If it's going to be judged in a car show(s) - then stick with the 383, either the one you have or the one you might buy.

If you feel that the one you have is the original and you'd like to sell the car one day, go grab another and build it up.

And I almost forgot - 

[bull]

So Bull - did you make up your mind yet?

I guess the bottom line depends on what you are going to do with the car.  If it's going to be judged in a car show(s) - then stick with the 383, either the one you have or the one you might buy.

If you feel that the one you have is the original and you'd like to sell the car one day, go grab another and build it up.

And I almost forgot - 

I think if I can find a cheap 383 block I'll grab it. I really don't care about car shows other than having something to drive there. I may not take my Charger to them at all. I like the annual Charger meet in Kent, WA and the Mopar Nationals in Woodburn, OR and there's one other little one up in Camas, WA that's pretty cool.

Maybe I'll find a stuck 270, rebuilt that and put it in the '68 for better fuel economy and to keep myself from getting speeding tickets.

One other thing while we're on the topic of the numbers game. It's not too difficult to fudge a '69+ number too even though they have the VIN pad on the right down by the pan. I have a friend who did it to a '70 Cuda, but he told the buyer he did it when it was sold. All the did was mill the pad down a little and restamp it. Apparently the casting number was close too.

[jerry]

bull ,.i have 2- 55 dodges a 270 4bbl flactory hemi and a 270 poly in another. but i don't recall either of them having a 4-speed as they are automatics.see even back then you could get a 4-bbl. the little ole ladies even drove them.i do have a couple real big block b -bodies but as i said before ,they would never compare to your rare car .   :icon_smile_big  :i don't collect anything older then a 69.these 1955 cars are very good trading material. you must be an old fart to almost know a little about a 55 dodge. is that why you are so moody on here? :yesnod:i guess that answeres why you are so stuck on a 2-bbl 383 charger. i mean a rare 2-bbl charger. i well leave you alone it must be past your bedtime. have a good one.

[bull]

bull ,.i have 2- 55 dodges a 270 4bbl flactory hemi and a 270 poly in another. but i don't recall either of them having a 4-speed as they are automatics.see even back then you could get a 4-bbl. the little ole ladies even drove them.i do have a couple real big block b -bodies but as i said before ,they would never compare to your rare car .   :icon_smile_big  :i don't collect anything older then a 69.these 1955 cars are very good trading material. you must be an old fart to almost know a little about a 55 dodge. is that why you are so moody on here? :yesnod:i guess that answeres why you are so stuck on a 2-bbl 383 charger. i mean a rare 2-bbl charger. i well leave you alone it must be past your bedtime. have a good one.

Sorry, I tend to get moody around arrogant assholes. But I did happen to notice how you toned it down quite a bit since your line of BS was exposed. If you ever manage to ratchet your attitude all the way down and start acting like a normal human I'm sure we'll all get along just fine.

[Scatpack]

3 million 383 were built & numerous 400s I would grab one & build it instead of the #S engine

I agree

[SeattleCharger]

                 Hey Bull, didn't know you lived in Portland, met you at the Kent DodgeCharger.com meet this summer.  Good luck!

[bull]

                Hey Bull, didn't know you lived in Portland, met you at the Kent DodgeCharger.com meet this summer.  Good luck!

Oh yea? Did you bring your car along? Which one were you?

[SeattleCharger]

                Hey Bull, didn't know you lived in Portland, met you at the Kent DodgeCharger.com meet this summer.  Good luck!

Oh yea? Did you bring your car along? Which one were you?

I hope I can bring my car next year, didn't have a trailer, or well, tow truck more like it, 

     hmm, prob. reminder would be that I am a little over 6'6",   last person to win the raffle, although it was a courtesy win care of Mark and Mike,

[bull]

Yea, I remember. It's not easy making the connection between this site and in-person meetings. It took me a while to discern who the Washingtonians were on this site but now that I've met TK73, 8WHEELER, triple green and AllBlueRT/472 R/T SE in person three or four times it has become old hat. I still need to get to know RallyeMike and a few others from up there, you included. I hope that meet attracts more souls and cars next summer. I'd hate to see it go away.

[Steve P.]

since you don't even know if its the original block and there is nothing rare about it to begin with and you can't make up your mind what you are doing without asking a bunch of strangers then i would  put it in the car and forget about it. just my opinion

Who the hell are you calling STRANGERS??  I've known Bull, (CURTIS), for more than 3 years. We have had many a good conversations. I think it's a very valid question and exactly the right place to ask it.

Bull, my vote goes to building a secondary 383 or 400 or 440. WHY take a chance on adding windows or a shower to the factory #s motor?? Your kids will know that the correct motor is under the bench.. Even if they DON"T want a factory 2BBL 383 under the hood, they know if the necessity ever did show it's ugly head and the car had to be sold they would have the correct motor to go with the car.

The reason it's so costly to buy #s matching muscle cars is because SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many were windowed before anyone cared about #s matching.

Another thing Bull, DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS..