383 project motor wanted

[bluenotefan]

Hi all,

I decided that since I have limited garage space, that I'm going to start with the motor first, and then find a car to put it in. What I'm looking for is a 383 project motor. I'm not necessarily looking for one that is running, but one that for sure will turn over, either by hand, or by a starter. I'm not sure what an engine in that state is really worth, but I'd like to stay between the $500-$1000 range...if that's an unrealistic range for a motor in the quality range I'm looking for please let me know in the comments.

Closer to my location (Springfield, MO) is a plus, as I will have to have it shipped since I don't own a truck.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

[Red63440]

This is in your back yard

http://springfield.craigslist.org/pts/2785078733.html

1970 383 hp big block engine - $800 (humansville)

 

[bluenotefan]

Nice! Thanks Red, I don't know how I missed that. I'll call the guy tomorrow. Hope he still has it!

 

[Red63440]

Just lookin out for a brother....good luck!

 

[jaakhus]

If you're not in too much of a hurry you might save a little by getting the word out among friends and neighbors. Two or three years ago I found a '68 Polara about 30 miles from me. I drove it home for $300. I parted it out and kept the 383 and 727.

I also found a 400 with a bad crank about an hour away. I picked that up for $75.

Good luck with your search!

 

[bluenotefan]

Thanks

That's a good point jaakhus. I certainly shouldn't be in a hurry, since I don't even have a car to put the engine in yet, lol

 

[bluenotefan]

Well, in the words of Rooster Cogburn "That didn't pan out." The gentleman selling that motor sold it about 3 weeks ago. On the bright side though, he was nice enough to point me in the direction of the person who bought it, and the information that he'd likely sell it as he just buys and sells MoPar stuff. He also gave me some other info on places to look, which lead to finding a 383/727 combo for $700 pretty darned close to me. I'm going to make a call tomorrow and get the 411.

Oh and as a bonus he sent a quick pic of his '68 RR my way. Enjoy

 

[Red63440]

Well then it sounds like you made some good contacts and the possibility of getting what you were looking for. Way to Go!

 

[bluenotefan]

How it ends

Well...since threads that have no resolution are a pet peeve of mine, I didn't end up buying a 383. Actually I didn't end up buying a motor at all. I found this little guy, fell in love with it and brought it home today.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=178545

Thanks for everyone's input. The contacts I made are actually what led me to this car. It's not quite as mean looking (yet) as the b-bodies, but it actually fits in the garage with room for me to walk all the way around it :grin:

 

[moparmarks]

Now all you need is a 383 to drop in it.

 

[rooster1911]

I don't know if your still looking but, this guy had 383 for $250 odo see below it"s in Dawsonville Ga. Ad Copied from Craigslist.

1964 dodge 383. motor has been disassembled, block boiled out, crank checked and polished cam bearings and freeze plugs installed. looks like heads have been overhauled never installed. i think every thing is there except the cam and lifters, distributor and some of the rod and main bearings. there is also an extra set of pistons and rods, and an extra set of main caps. the block and crank have some surface rust on them but would probably polish out. I doubt they've ever been bored and turned. I bought this motor out of a barn to put in my charger, but ended up getting a little red express truck instead. (NO - I DID NOT PAINT IT ORANGE. THAT'S THE COLOR IT WAS ) I would like to get some of my money back out of it- $250 obo some 678 429 5976 If I don't answer immediately, leave message I'll call you back ASAP would deliver for the cost of the gas(which for my old truck is a fortune)

 

[Red63440]

Well...since threads that have no resolution are a pet peeve of mine, I didn't end up buying a 383. Actually I didn't end up buying a motor at all. I found this little guy, fell in love with it and brought it home today.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=178545

Thanks for everyone's input. The contacts I made are actually what led me to this car. It's not quite as mean looking (yet) as the b-bodies, but it actually fits in the garage with room for me to walk all the way around it :grin:

Congrats on the purchase!:toothy10:

 

[bluenotefan]

Thanks Red!

Rooster, that sounds like a heck of deal, but I don't think I'd be able to stuff a 383 in my Barracuda and still have inner fenders, hehe.

 

[Red63440]

Thanks Red!

Rooster, that sounds like a heck of deal, but I don't think I'd be able to stuff a 383 in my Barracuda and still have inner fenders, hehe.

No but a hot 360 would fit nicely!!:headbang:

 

[bluenotefan]

No but a hot 360 would fit nicely!!:headbang:

I was thinking about that after watching a few youtube vids of a guy running a 360 in his '65 and hitting 11's in the 1/4. Ironically before I even bought this car, I listed my guitar on craigslist and had a guy wanting to trade me a 360 for it. I haven't heard anything from him in a few days though. I'll have to hit him up, and see what's going on with that!