if it's not broke do you fix it?

[Robliepse]

Well I've found myself at a cross roads. The original 440 is out of my 72 GTX and although extremely ugly and a couple of minor oil the leaks the motor ran perfect and didn't smoke at all. Based on the odometer the car has either 75K or 175K and I'm thinking 75K. I've only owed it for about 8 weeks and my best guess it sat somewhere for several years. I know the last owner kept it in a garage and only put a few 100 miles since 2006.
I have a 1978 freshly machined low compression short block and a set of freshly machined 906 casting stock heads. Without additional machining this will produce about 300 HP but I have to come up with all the other parts.

My other option is simply clean and paint the original motor and re-install it without doing any major work.

What else could I do to the stock original motor to freshen it up without spending a fortune.

 

[Coyoteduster]

If I yank one out, I usually pull the heads and freshen them up. Even at 75k miles a valve job is a good idea, beside you get to inspect the cylinder walls as well.

 

[Garys1969RR]

If the 440 runs good and doesn't smoke, replace the leaky gaskets, clean and paint it. Or use the cam and intake or whatever parts you need for the motor that has been machined.

 

[sleepar]

Bearings, rings,light hone, gasket set, valve stem seals... check specification on springs, look for wear on the seats.....new timing set and a fuel pump oil pump..... you don't want to wait for major problems to freshen it up and almost always you will find something you caught just in time..... like the rear main seal.

 

[Robliepse]

i found a slightly used Performer HP dual plan intake,spacers and a 750 Holley that I can get for about $250. Would there be any benefit to adding this the the freshened up (as described by Sleepar) if I'm still using the stock heads and stock intake? Does anyone know if this Performer and the 750 will fit under my non-air grabber 1972 hood?

 

[sleepar]

That's the thing... measure twice cut once... not all cars are the exact same.

 

[Badvert65]

If you do nothing else, replace the timing chain. With that sort of mileage, it probably needs it. For me, I would tear the engine down. Unless you plan to have a 'survivor' car and you may have gone too far for that now. If you are a paint daub and inspector stamp guy, just take lots of photos and document everything.

 

[Robliepse]

Thanks guys, I'm not going to the survivor level with stamps and paint daubs but I would like to keep the original motor in the car and maintain a stock as possible look but I'm concerned that the original OEM intake and exhaust will limit the performance possibilities. I think I'd also have to raise the compression by modifying the block and heads which I'm not sure if it's worth the money and modifying the original block and heads.

 

[sleepar]

Intake yes Will limit... exaust no until you get to 600 up.... the heads with a mild port polish some bronze guides 3angle job a stainless valves New 750 cfm carb.... 2200 stall converter rv shift kit on a fresh trans wakes it up for cheap. Seals hoses gaskets all around. A stock motor tuned up will rock!!!!! a big block with a few dropped valves on 7 cylinders will still have more balls than a good running stock small block...

 

[Robliepse]

Hello Sleepar, thanks for the input on putting some affordable power into my original 440. Are you saying I can get a decent bump in HP and torque without going to the expense of reducing the combustion chamber? I really like the idea of a new intake, carb and refreshing the heads. Should I keep the same size valves?

 

[sleepar]

Some of these motor heads go so extreme to chase power... just freshen it up throw a new distributor and fire box and on and on on it too go the stock route with a minimum up grade wearable stuff all over the car... you will never notice 10hp gain here and 20hp there yes it does all add up... but it can get out of control... weel bearings and suspension stuff if you haven't freshness there will make it roll smoother. Save it for when you get boared with it and this rebuild gets tired in another 75k then go wild.

For now a mild bump to get it road worthy...

 

[Garys1969RR]

i found a slightly used Performer HP dual plan intake,spacers and a 750 Holley that I can get for about $250. Would there be any benefit to adding this the the freshened up (as described by Sleepar) if I'm still using the stock heads and stock intake? Does anyone know if this Performer and the 750 will fit under my non-air grabber 1972 hood?

The Performer RPM intake would be a nice addition to your combo. The 440 Performer is an older style dual plane, and doesn't work as well as the newer stuff. The Perf RPM sits pretty high, and I'm sure it won't fit right with spacers on there. With out spacers it would prob fit with a drop down air filter.

 

[Robliepse]

Things just got interesting, after cleaning about a 1/4 of gunk off the block I found the correct VIN number stamped in the block. So the cowling stamp matches the radiator support stamp that matches the VIN plate that matches the broadcast sheet. So now that I'm 100% convinced that I have a true original numbers matching 72 GTX with the original good running (very dirty) engine with 91K miles what do I do. My plan was to get a nice 72 RM car to hot rod around town but now I have one that some big buck guys might like to have. I'm thinking about keeping the motor stock including the original intake and exhaust and continuing on the mission or seeing if someone with deeper pockets wants it to do a full restoration. I'm into it for about $17K and still planning on a mid level driver restoration. But the car might be worthy of a high end restoration. Gosh this is a lot of fun.

 

[Garys1969RR]

I agree, this can be a lot of fun. But beware of some of the pitfalls! Sometimes things don't go as planned, even for those who have been working on these motors and cars for a long time. Careful planning is your best bet. Feel free to ask questions when you need to. Good luck with your project car!

 

[Dennis H]

If the motor is out, go through it. TTI's. Get the ceramic polished. Lose weight, lower under hood temperatures and get hp. Get your wallet too. A 72 B Body is an Iconic American Legend by John Herlitz. I'm jealous. Get a Mopar (only) person to go through it and do it right.

 

[miller]

Just a side note.
What really makes the difference on how a motor is gonna run...is how well it's put together. Somebody with 'deep pockets' can shove all kinds of high-dollar parts and pieces into a motor, but do a lousy assembly, and get a big turd.

Even with stock parts, but assembled as it should be, it will definately get the groceries. Have fun with it!

 

[Moparmatt72]

Nice car by the way, I have the 72 Satellite Sebring plus im working on, but nothing original on mine lol. I personally like some above would clean up the motor since its out. Just your basic over haul kit for all new gaskets, bearings, and for sure a timing chain, if its a single roller swap out to a double roller longer lasting. And just line hone that way everything is fresh and you'll know you have good compression with the new rings. Its all I did when I first put a 440 into mine.