Need opinions and thoughts

[aone415]

Okay, the 68 Charger is about 3 weeks to a month away from coming home from the body shop and my dad and I are engine and transmission shopping.  I'm told that the cam bearing are busted in the engine but we'd be replacing the cam anyway, other than that it's fine and runs and the 727 has slippage in 3rd, again it'll be rebuilt anyway. 

The original thought was to purchase a 440 Crate motor, a new TCI 727TF and a new Sure Grip the 8 3/4. Today I located a 1975 440 and 727 along with the SureGrip for about 750 for all.  Obviously all need to be stripped and re-built, but I think it's a pretty good deal.  All in all I figure we could build a HP 440 to about 400hp for about $2500 -3000 and the usual costs of rebuliding the trans and rear.  That would be a substanstial savings over new/crated costs.


What do you guys/gals think?

[Charger74]

Sounds like a good deal, considering everything I've heard you will want a engine shop to go through a crate motor anyway to make sure it's ok. 

[Silver R/T]

Sounds good to me for engine/trans/rear end

[dpm68]

The trio from the '75 sound like a good deal, I'd get on it - that is after a cursory going over...

[aone415]

Thanks for the input.  I think I'll be making a trip to go and get everything on Saturday... I'll post some pics when I get it all home!

[Ghoste]

I don't know it for fact, only hearsay, but I've been told that the TCI trannys are basically just stock everyday rebuilds with a little higher price because of the TCI scare stickers they send with it.  Like I say though, take that for what it's worth.

[aone415]

okay, quick question, I'm supposed to be picking the engins and tranny up tomorrow.  What should I be looking for?  i.e. stress areas, crack areas, etc?  Any and all help and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[CB]

I'd go the rebuild way , this gives you the option to build it like you want it. And I hear it from Charger74 and others who say it's best to get a crate engine inspected. So...
Anyway you already made up your mind 
Good luck!
CB

[Ghoste]

In the block or the transmission?

[Leonidas Rex]

okay, quick question, I'm supposed to be picking the engins and tranny up tomorrow.  What should I be looking for?  i.e. stress areas, crack areas, etc?  Any and all help and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

If you have enough time, I would highly recommend taking off the heads or asking the seller to remove the heads from the block. I know it may sound like a real pain in the ass but I have a very valid reason. I bought a 68 440hp block from a guy in Washington Courthouse, Ohio in January for $750. I picked up the block and without checking the block, I brought it back to Illinois. I took his word that the block was good. I reomved the intake manifold to find extensive rust in the intake ports of the heads. I removed the heads to find 4 cracked cylinders. I think the block can be salvaged with putting in sleeves but that is an aadded expense that I was not planning to make. The date stamp matches my car. If it did not match, I wouldnt have worried about it. Anyway, if you do end up doing it, check the cylinders before you hand over any money. Check the exterior walls. Thats about all I would suggest.