Freshin up a low mileage 383 2bbl to 4bbl

[69chargerboy]

I searched around the site and didn't find exactly what I was looking for so I thought I'd post. I recently acquired an original very low mileage 383 2bbl engine from a 68 Coronet. Runs nice, but I'm looking for suggestions to freshin it up. New 4bbl intake, cam and carb combo to get a bit more pep in the engine. I bought a set of HP exhaust manifolds for the engine. I'm going to install all new gaskets, windage tray, oil and fuel pump as well. I'm going to throw this in my 68 Coronet that's currently under resto. No racing or anything, just cruise the local car shows, daily driving and the occasional road trip. Why not make some upgrades before put the engine in.... ? I know very little about internal engine components and need to be schooled. I appreciate all the help!  

[myk]

Do you know anything about the type of pistons, heads, 'cam or the other internals of the engine?  That information would certainly help in your decision...

[BSB67]

...........an original very low mileage 383 2bbl engine from a 68 Coronet.......  

Based on that, It should be an advertised 9.2:1 compression ratio (actual probably closer to 8.7:1) and 906 heads.  Cam advertised as 256°/260° duration.  I'd have to look up the rest of the cam specs if you are interested. 

You'll need to give us your budget and level of effort you're willing to put into it. 

Comp or Lunati 262 or 268 cams, factory 4bbl intake (late 60s to early 70s) .  If you are good with carbs, pick up a 440 AVS and rebuild it.

But, with all that, I would strongly recommend that you have someone good with heads, go through the heads.  IMO, this is where you want to spend $ and do it well.  If budget allows, get a set of 915s.  All of these things together will really snap life into a 383 without deteriorating its idle or drivability.

[cudaken]

I searched around the site and didn't find exactly what I was looking for so I thought I'd post. I recently acquired an original very low mileage 383 2bbl engine from a 68 Coronet. Runs nice, but I'm looking for suggestions to freshin it up. New 4bbl intake, cam and carb combo to get a bit more pep in the engine. I bought a set of HP exhaust manifolds for the engine. I'm going to install all new gaskets, windage tray, oil and fuel pump as well. I'm going to throw this in my 68 Coronet that's currently under resto. No racing or anything, just cruise the local car shows, daily driving and the occasional road trip. Why not make some upgrades before put the engine in.... ? I know very little about internal engine components and need to be schooled. I appreciate all the help!  

Charger Boy, when you say freshen it up are you just replacing gaskets or rebuilding the 383? Also how many miles on the 383?

Long time ago I took a health 383 2 barrel, used a Eddy DB4 intake, 650 Holley, MSD 7, HP Manifolds, cross over H pipe, HP Fuel Pump, Double Roller MP Chain and retarded the 2 barrel cam 2 degrees and it ran very well! On the highway I got 17 MPG and could melt the tires when I wanted to with 2.76 sure grip. If I had not planed to replaces the 383 with a 440 I would have installed a MP P4452783 Repo HP cam.

What are your performances goals in any besides having fun?

       Cuda Ken   

[69chargerboy]

Well I don't know the internals yet. I'm guessing stock. Mileage is around 45K. It may be 145K, but the car looks too clean and in great shape. I really don't know, All I know it fires right up, very little smoke from a cold start, then goes away. It sounds and drives great. The performance is just to have fun and have a nice cruiser. I'm going to use my stock 2.76 rear. I may have posi installed later.

[Challenger340]

...........an original very low mileage 383 2bbl engine from a 68 Coronet.......  

Based on that, It should be an advertised 9.2:1 compression ratio (actual probably closer to 8.7:1) and 906 heads.  Cam advertised as 256°/260° duration.  I'd have to look up the rest of the cam specs if you are interested.  

You'll need to give us your budget and level of effort you're willing to put into it.  

Comp or Lunati 262 or 268 cams, factory 4bbl intake (late 60s to early 70s) .  If you are good with carbs, pick up a 440 AVS and rebuild it.

But, with all that, I would strongly recommend that you have someone good with heads, go through the heads.  IMO, this is where you want to spend $ and do it well.  If budget allows, get a set of 915s.  All of these things together will really snap life into a 383 without deteriorating its idle or drivability.

Some pretty damn good advice right there.....