General help on performance of 440 Magnum...

[TonyN]

Hello all...more of a philosophical discussion/reply needed.

Quick background: very new to the 'car rebuilding' thing.  A couple of years ago purchased a 69 Charger, and am looking to get a bit more serious about getting it running better.

History of car: the previous owner removed the 318 and put in a 440.  I get the impression, from other items around the car, that the previous owner knew what he was doing, but didn't have a lot of 'finesse'.  For one example, he also replaced the trans with a 727, and it works, but you need to do things like go into first, and then up into drive for it to 'click in'.

My question revolves around the performance of the engine.  It starts well, and goes pretty quick.  However, it doesn't act like I think a 440 should.  I would think that if I stomped on the gas pedal, the car should proceed with more 'zip' than it does.

On a side note, I had the differential rebuilt last year, and that made it roll down the road a lot smoother, and you really felt a difference in the 20mph-50mph range (really good pickup).

My question, as such, is this: what would be some good 'starting points' for when I take the care out of storage next spring?
- a basic tune up?
- fuel pump?
- carb?

Put another way, if this car was dropped in your lap (metaphorically speaking, of course) and you felt the performance was sub-standard, what steps would/could you take to improve?

I realize that is a very open ended question, and you are limited without seeing the car, but again, looking for thought/starting points.

Thanks,

TN

[Ghoste]

A complete tune up, not a basic one but an in depth one.  Then you know where everything is at and you can grow from there.

[Charger-Bodie]

A complete tune up, not a basic one but an in depth one.  Then you know where everything is at and you can grow from there.

and first thing id do is a full compression test.

[Challenger340]

Yeah, get on the comp test thing, and start figuring out just what's all there first. Heads, Cam, etc., etc.

Good to know "where you are" first, easier then, to figure out "where you reasonably can go" power wise, before wasting a ton 'o cash for nada.

Bob out.

[TonyN]

Thanks for the replies so far, good info...

Can you please elaborate on what would constitute a 'complete' tune up, versus a basic one?

I will get the compression test done...

TN

[terrible one]

Get the numbers to figure out if you've got a smogger, etc. Pull the valve covers and look at the sludge situation as well as the casting numbers on the heads to see which ones you have as well. . .

[Ghoste]

Complete?  It means the works.  New ignition components, rebuild the carb or at least verify all of it's settings, pvc, air filter, oil filter etc.  But first, as mentioned do a compression test, check the fuel pressure, map out your timing, I'd even recommend a leak down test if you have access to a tester.
Just make sure that everything is set where it is supposed to be and anything that is worn out is replaced.  It's a pain in the ass but there is alot of performance to be gained in an in-depth tuneup.