68-70 small block chargers

[h76]

If you found a solid small block 68-70 charger, would you keep it small block or consider going with a 383 or 440? Is there any value in these small-block versions?

[lukedukem]

If you found a solid small block 68-70 charger, would you keep it small block or consider going with a 383 or 440? Is there any value in these small-block versions?

If i found a numbers matching small block, then yes i would. but thats me. knowing that the car came with all this from the factory that some one ordered would make me happy. now are they worth it. probably not, most are looking for R/T ones and people that flip cars know the r/t ones bring more money.
but for guys like us. we see a different value in our chargers. my car was originally 318 but there was no drive train so i upgrade. but if i bought it with a small block i'd of restored it and painted it back to factory.
again, thats my opinion

luke

[ncmiller1]

I bought a 68 with a 318 and I ended up putting a 505 in it.  The block wasn't the original one which is actually why I bought it, because I wanted to build an engine completely from scratch in my garage.  For me the upgrade was an easy decision... the car wasn't all original so I had no qualms changing some things and I wanted to have fun with it!

[Rolling_Thunder]

My 68 started as a 318...    if I thought about it back when I would have kept it a 318...   I swapped in a crate 360 then a 383, then a 440, then a 512, and now a 6.1L hemi...     I sometimes wish it was still a basic 318 - reliable, fun, good mileage. 

[68X426]

The 318 is a great motor. Chargers are great cars. But not all 318 Chargers are great.

The 383 is a great motor. Road Runners are great cars. But not all 383 Road Runners are great.

I'm sure you can see the reasoning in those statements. Should you find a 318 Charger and it's classic, then by all means buy it and preserve it / restore it. I think that a great 318 Charger is more unusual, rare, and special than any other combo.

Value (and classic status) is relative of course. It all depends on your goals and expectations.

Example of how special one can be: last year (2011), Mopar Alley Show, approximately 250 of the finest Mopars on the West Coast, simply fantastic cars and motors, and the Best of Show was a 1968 Charger with its original 318 in place. It was so fine and so special, and consider that it was a participants' peer vote for BoS. That tells you everything.

[hatersaurusrex]

Whatever is special to you is what is important, over all else.   I bought a 383 car, and could care less what it does at the track or how many 'awwwwws' it gets at the show (if I ever take it to one).  It's your money, and if spending it puts a smile on your face, there is no value on that.   

My brother let me know today that he pulled my 383 68 (nothing terribly special, and early build with a few options) into his shop to begin work.   I got a feeling in my gut I haven't had since I was a kid.  No amount of trophies or thumbs-ups from people worried about resale value can replace that.  I'm excited because the car I've wanted since I was 5 years old has finally started being built.  Very soon I'll be behind the wheel of a life goal of mine. That's what it's about.

As for your original question my answer is simple: Who cares?  As many, many others have said on this forum: Unless you've found an all-original, numbers-matching, desirable-option barn find from hell, then it's worth exactly as much as you think it is.   Outside of discovering an investment quality car in some corner noone else has looked in, then it's about what you want out of the car.

[dodgey68]

well my car has the original 318 and drive train, but the auto has different internals,,dunno why,it drives well dosn,t smoke or use oil, and it dosn't rattle, good so far, but have plans for a 6.1 or 440 at some stage dependingon $$$,but im enjoying it, but ya know what they say
there is no substitute for horse power,

[Troy]

All of my old Mopars that had the original small blocks kept them. My current 68 Charger was originally a 318 but the drive train is long gone (I bought it as a rolling shell). I have plenty of engines floating around but haven't decided what it will eventually get (leaning towards an EFI Magnum). I hate to see original cars modified but, honestly, a big block is a lot of fun and generally increases resale value (if you ever have to sell it). Small blocks in these big heavy cars typically require some upgrades so the performance matches the looks. It's all a matter of what makes you happy. There's a certain amount of the public who will walk right by anything that isn't powered by a 440 or Hemi so be prepared for that.

Troy

[Tilar]

My 68 was originally a 318 with a 3speed on the column. I watched this car run with the original engine and tranny in it until the kid grenaded the engine one day. He pulled it out and dropped a 400 with an auto tranny in it and scrapped the original engine and trans. I bought the car with the 400 sitting in it not bolted up. IF I had the original engine and trans I would probably keep it, but since it's long gone it's getting a 440.

[dodgey68]

. There's a certain amount of the public who will walk right by anything that isn't powered by a 440 or Hemi so be prepared for that.

Troy

[/quote]

yes i have noticed that they all ask "has it got a hemi" and most don't know what a hemi is, and when i mention small block they walk off, and i havn't even lifted the bonnet/hood, i think its funny, i couldn't give a shit what any one thinks, its mine, and most of the people making comments usually don't have any thing nice anyway,

also they can some great power out of small block these days, some small blocks could even beat big blocks!!!!!

[wingcar]

My 1970 SE Charger had a Hot Rodded 360 in it when I purchased it.  The Charger was orginally a 318 car.  It's now a 440 equiped Charger with everything under the car upgraded to RT including a Dana rearend.........

[Scaregrabber]

No.

Sheldon

[1BAD68]

My charger was a 318 car. When I decided to do something with it I heard all about how stupid it is to stick any money into a 318.
I've owned 2 big block Mopars and although they are fun, I must say I'm really happy I built my small block.
It's a blast, handles great and gets good MPG.

[ram68]

I like my 318 charger.  Put on a 4bbl and 302 heads w/360 valves 3:23 rear, makes for a fun ride that handles and sounds good too.  Had a 383 car didn't like it as much.