Engine is FROZE...........................

[bksfld68]

Well this is going to be long but I appreciate any input.  This is really a two part situation.

1)  This week was going to be the week that  I was going to break in the rebuilt 383 in my almost finished 68 Charger.  Engine compartment is 95% in and together.  When looking for TDC for the distributor, could not get engine to turn over.  The history on the 383 goes like this, bought it with the car a year and a half ago.  Guy I bought it from rebuilt it and I have not found any reason to doubt that.  I however never tried turning it over  .  So to make a long story short, I removed both heads today to see what was going on and the cylinders looked great.  No rust whatsoever.  That is as far as I got tonight.  Got a guy coming by tomorrow to see what he thinks it could be, all I can figure now is there is a problem with the crank.  If there are some other potential problems, please speak up  .  Car is on jack stands so not the trans. 

2)  Now on to the other item.  I bought a complete 68 440 a few months back to work on as time allowed to put in the car someday.   I have a set of TRW flat top pistons and rods, ready to go in.  If there were something seriously wrong with the 383, I am trying to figure out a way to build the 440 reasonably.  The heads that are on the 383 are the 346 variety from the early 70's, they have been rebuilt with new valves and valve job and springs.  I would like to retain them.  I am hoping that all I will need is the machine work, new manifold, distributor and cam kit and gaskets.  What cam setup would you guys recommend with what I am working with.  4 speed, 3.55 gears,  Holley 750 DP, manifold is not chosen yet either, TTI 1 3/4 headers.  I am looking for something that is aggressive within the constraints that I am working with.  I know the heads are restrictive compared to what is available on the aftermarket but at this point I am trying to make this as easy as I can on the ole pocketbook. 

Appreciate any feedback,

Ryan

[TylerCharger69]

have you tried turning the crank by hand???

[bksfld68]

I did try turning it and it would not budge.  That is what made me think that the pistons were stuck.  Then I pulled the heads and everything looked alright.

Ryan

[hemihead]

Main Bearings

[694spdRT]

The TRW's for the 440 must be 2266's. I have those in my '69 and they are down in the hole quite a bit.(about 0.080" after decking the block IIRC)  I would have used 2355's instead but, the short block was complete.

With a 346 head your compression will likely be less than 9 to 1 assuming they were not milled heavily. I decked my block, have 906 head's milled to 78cc's, and 0.020" steel shim gaskets to get a true 9.5 to 1 compression. I am using a split grind Engle K56/K58 camshaft and I am really happy with it. It is not a wild cam with 224/230 duration @ 0.050" but, it works great on the street.

You probably want something more aggressive just keep in mind the lower compression those pistons will give you as a big duration cam could give you a problem off the line. The 4 speed will help that though.

[TylerCharger69]

I agree...main bearings.....may need a good align boring, or....whoever assembled that engine may  have used 10/10 bearings on a std./std. crank....i've seen this happen.

[RD]

I agree...main bearings.....may need a good align boring, or....whoever assembled that engine may  have used 10/10 bearings on a std./std. crank....i've seen this happen.

tyler off topic, but wth is up with this? Ford 8 3/4 rear end   3.00 gear

[TylerCharger69]

Well...the rear end actually came out of a '70 Mach 1.  The guy gave it to me for free.  I had a 3:91  489 case set up, but the highwayability was none.  It's a limited slip rear end.  The thing is bullet proof!!!  Plus....other than having to relocate spring perches, some brake line fabrication, and a custom driveshaft (I prefer the dampner in the driveshaft!!!)   It bolted right in.  A few hours of modifications was nothing considering it was free!!!  (I scrapped the rest of that Mach 1 by the way)   I knew it was a matter of time before someone asked me about that

[dodge freak]

Sounds good to me--only stuff from Ford I would use is the rear ends. OK the 429 was great but most Ford stuff is not.

[TylerCharger69]

    I'm also using a GM alternator!!!    Shhhhhhhh!!!!