I'm going to need another engine. Suggetions?

[Speedbird]

Had my radiator re-cored and got it running with that Holley3310-1 that I rebuilt.
But it smokes so bad after it gets warmed up that there is no point in even trying to leave this engine in it.
It doesn’t smoke when it is first started.
Does that mean rings or valve seals more likely?
Just curious.
I’ve got an extra 69 383 engine.
So I’m going to see if there’s an engine shop around North Georgia that can build that engine for a quick swap and save the matching engine that’s in the car.
The spare engine has 906 heads and won’t turn over with a wrench. That’s all I know about it. I need to find someone to tell me if it can be saved. Should at least be a good block and heads, I hope.
Crank?????
Any recipes for building a good 383 street engine would be appreciated.

Or any recommendations for an engine builder with out shipping would be good because I don't know if it can be saved so why ship it?
I’ll run the Holly with an Edelbrock aluminum dual plane.
Noting fancy.
I would like to keep the 906 heads since I read that they are OK and will look correct.
That's what I read. Some places around the country even do CNC porting on 906 heads, but I don't want to split the work up.
All in one place would be great.

I turned the car around 180 degrees to pull the engine.
LOOK, the Sure Grip works.

 

[thomas93254]

Pull the heads off that 383 and look to see if the bores are rusty. That might be the reason it wont turn. If it is clean pull the pan off and pull a rod and a main bearing and look at them and see how bad they are. get some plastic gauge and check all the bearing the clearances The block might clean up with a good hone job and a set of rings as long the bores are not pitted. Or you might be able to throw a good crank kit in it and run it while you build the original motor the way you want it. These engines are not over complected and with a book on rebuilding and some elbow grease you might be able to save some $$$$. Even if you have to have a machine shop bore it out and put pistons in it doing the tear down and reassembly could save you a bunch. Parts cost but the labor is what will kill the bill....

Thomas

BTW lots of pic when/if you do this. It will help us help you

 

[Speedbird]

Well,
I've got these pictures so far of me getting it out of the way and into a trailer.
My problem is lack of time. But I am curious what is in the engine.
It's got the wrong oil pan and pick up on it right now.
Just to have something on it.

 

[terzmo]

The car is going to be down so why not rebuild the # matching motor and save time and money later

 

[thomas93254]

Onlyone, Pulling the heads would only take about 30 minutes with it out of the car. And it would give you an idea of what would be needed and if it is saveable or not. One day of time to determine if it is a option to rebuild is time and money well spent IMHO. Of coarse you could just yank your other engine and go through it as well. But building a driver motor while the dream engine gets built does help you keep from losing interest

Thomas

BTW have you ran a compression check on the engine in the car?

 

[cmansell]

what part of Ga. are you in.

 

[Speedbird]

The car is going to be down so why not rebuild the # matching motor and save time and money later

Yes, that would make sense if I wasn't obsessive.
But people that have numbers matching cars say they do that so they don't risk blowing the engine up.
I have no intention of ever selling this car.
But I do hope to drive it and have some good times.
Some say they wouldn't consider restoring anything but a Hemi car just out of shear dollars and cents.
I probably will do the stupid thing and spend more money on the car than it is worth to anyone else.

- - - Updated - - -

Onlyone, Pulling the heads would only take about 30 minutes with it out of the car. And it would give you an idea of what would be needed and if it is saveable or not. One day of time to determine if it is a option to rebuild is time and money well spent IMHO. Of coarse you could just yank your other engine and go through it as well. But building a driver motor while the dream engine gets built does help you keep from losing interest

Thomas

BTW have you ran a compression check on the engine in the car?

Thanks for the encouragement and two good ideas.
Since I'm a curious person, I may just pull the heads once I get time. I've got a current nightmare with a contractor over a roof replacement.

- - - Updated - - -

what part of Ga. are you in.

West of Atlanta. So even over in Alabama would work for me. But for a trustworthy (emphasis on trustworthy) MOPAR machinist I can go anywhere reasonable in North Georgia. One with a good shop.

 

[Dako]

"...Some say they wouldn't consider restoring anything but a Hemi car just out of shear dollars and cents.
I probably will do the stupid thing and spend more money on the car than it is worth to anyone else..."

You are not stupid, and those are the ones who put resale value above their enjoyment. Does a car retain the same value when it's 10 years old as compared to what was paid to the dealer when new?...how about a boat...an RV...or a horse?

Not everyone gets to own a hemi. I put more money into my Poly 318 equipped than it's worth and have not regret it one bit. There is a finite number of these cars as well, and as time goes on they do not get cheaper. It doesn't need to be a hemi car to be enjoyed. Once shes back on the road, have fun and share your car...take her to local cruise-ins and shows. You will find more people want to talk to you about your car (a car they more likely owned) than something more rare. No offense to the hemi owners...if I had one I would be sporting an ear-to-ear grin just like ya'll!

 

[b-star69]

yes you will spend more than it is worth and so will i and 90% of the people on this blog. you could just bring it on down to stockbridge and problem solved!:yes::yes::yes:

 

[thomas93254]

Onlyone, It really comes down to doing what you want to do. Advice is good but it's only worth what value you give it. Me I would build a driver motor from the extra then build a monster of that numbers matching engine to "go back in some day". And when your ready to put the numbers engine in you will know that you have a runner that can be put in if need be for any reason or in a second Mopar that might come along.

What ever you do enjoy the ride

Thomas

 

[Garys1969RR]

The motor that's the original 383 (in the car now) should also have 906 heads on it. That was the stock head in 1969. I would at least run a compression check on your running (and smoking) motor. Then pull the heads. May only need a valve job. Even if you still have to pull the engine, it is a lot easier with the heads off. Let us know what you find.

- - - Updated - - -

Strange that it only smokes after warm up. When we re built my sons 383, it smoked out the pipes after it warmed a little. Come to find out, it was just the old oil residue in the exhaust system burning out! After a few hundred miles it quit smoking.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

I had a carb with an electric choke and set wrong it would smoke, just sayin. Guess kinda late now? lol

 

[Speedbird]

bigmanjmopar,

I'm having trouble with multiple quotes in my replies.

I bought the 50 dollar electric conversion but it isn't hooked up. Choke wide open right now.
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?55929-Help-with-coded-intake-and-AVS-carb

- - - Updated - - -

"...Some say they wouldn't consider restoring anything but a Hemi car just out of shear dollars and cents.
I probably will do the stupid thing and spend more money on the car than it is worth to anyone else..."

You are not stupid, and those are the ones who put resale value above their enjoyment. Does a car retain the same value when it's 10 years old as compared to what was paid to the dealer when new?...how about a boat...an RV...or a horse?
.

Not everyone gets to own a hemi. I put more money into my Poly 318 equipped than it's worth and have not regret it one bit. There is a finite number of these cars as well, and as time goes on they do not get cheaper. It doesn't need to be a hemi car to be enjoyed. Once shes back on the road, have fun and share your car...take her to local cruise-ins and shows. You will find more people want to talk to you about your car (a car they more likely owned) than something more rare. No offense to the hemi owners...if I had one I would be sporting an ear-to-ear grin just like ya'll!

That's what I love about A bodies. Put a cop 318 in them, get 23 MPG highway, go like stink and have fun driving it everyday

- - - Updated - - -

yes you will spend more than it is worth and so will i and 90% of the people on this blog. you could just bring it on down to stockbridge and problem solved!:yes::yes::yes:

Should I bring the car or the engine to Stockbridge? LOL

- - - Updated - - -

Onlyone, It really comes down to doing what you want to do. Advice is good but it's only worth what value you give it. Me I would build a driver motor from the extra then build a monster of that numbers matching engine to "go back in some day". And when your ready to put the numbers engine in you will know that you have a runner that can be put in if need be for any reason or in a second Mopar that might come along.

What ever you do enjoy the ride

Thomas

WE THINK JUST ALIKE.

- - - Updated - - -

The motor that's the original 383 (in the car now) should also have 906 heads on it. That was the stock head in 1969. I would at least run a compression check on your running (and smoking) motor. Then pull the heads. May only need a valve job. Even if you still have to pull the engine, it is a lot easier with the heads off. Let us know what you find.


- - - Updated - - -

Strange that it only smokes after warm up. When we re built my sons 383, it smoked out the pipes after it warmed a little. Come to find out, it was just the old oil residue in the exhaust system burning out! After a few hundred miles it quit smoking.

Thanks Gary,

I checked 440 source and they only listed the 906 for that year but I wasn't sure.
Count on me letting you know.
I think that I have this multiple quote thing figured out now.

 

[b-star69]

Yes please! I'll stack'um up!:yes::yes::yes:

 

[super-bee_ski]

Do up a 440 and keep your original tucked away.

 

[tallhair]

Do up a 440 and keep your original tucked away.

That's pretty good advice ski. 440's are definitely an upgrade in torque over the 383s all things equal. Do the replacement motor however you want, keep the original stock, and if you sell keep the high dollar motor and put the rebuilt stock numbers matching motor back in it. Side bonus if something happens with the wilder motor, it wasn't the original .. not that anything would or will go wrong but it's still seems like sound logic and is the way I would go if I wanted to do something like stroke or build for more power with a numbers matching car.

If you're not doing much more than a stock rebuild with a little cam then just do the stock motor and be done with it.

 

[Speedbird]

Do up a 440 and keep your original tucked away.

Don't tempt me.
The only reasons I'm thinking of sticking with a B block is because that's what the car is and I have a spare one.
Let me go price 440s now on the internet. :-$

 

[Supershafts]

Why are you jumpin the gun and thinking the motors shot.... is it smoking at idle or when you hit the gas or constantly or after you hit the gas and then get off it... You could need something simple or fairly involved like valve seals, i wouldn't jump into the motor has to come out till you know for sure its problem.

 

[vanrj1]

Here is an idea to put in the back of your mind. 383 to 431 stroker.

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/...r_performance_383_stroker_engine/viewall.html

http://www.texas-jacksons.com/garage/info_431_stroker.html

 

[451Mopar]

Pull the heads and have them checked out, the valve guides and seats are likely shot. I'd tell you to have the cylinders checked with a dial bore gauge, but if there is a good ridge worn into the cylinder, you probably have bores that need to be resized.
Where you go from there depends on what you plan to do with the car.
Lately, I have been looking at the Gen3 Hemi swaps because there seems to be some good deals on engine/trans combinations considering you cant get fuel injection and an overdrive for a big block for a fraction of the price.