Numbers Matching Block

[70383runner]

Pulled my motor over the weekend, to my surprise, the block is numbers matching. Does this really mean anything anymore? My intake manifold and head castings are correct for my make and year. Sure they are original, however, block has been bored .030 over - pistons are not original, camshaft not original and tranny is not original.

With so little matching, wondering if I should turn it back to original or resto-mod it like I wanted. Thoughts?

 

[HawkRod]

Yes, it makes the car worth more - how much depends on the engine and the car.

Why not just stick the block in a corner and build another engine of your choice? This way, if you ever sell the car you can still sell it with the original block.

 

[terzmo]

people pay more for that but it also depends on what else is there....like heads/intake/exhaust manifolds/carb/filter/ etc

 

[GetX'd]

I dealt with roughly the same issues. At the end of the day it was my car - and I wanted how I wanted it. My car is still numbers matching for the most part - but I've changed some things that would make it a resto mod I guess. I like it very much with the stuff I've done to it and wouldn't change anything. I've had the car 45 years.

 

[terzmo]

I've changed things on my car for my convenience....personally,I would not want an exact numbers matching car as I would be concerned about breaking it or poor performance....I'm Happy with My R/T....wrong color/wrong color interior/wrong rearend/wrong motor/...

 

[70383runner]

its a 383 4bbl in a 70 Roadrunner. Block matches, heads, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, connecting rods & crankshaft all matches. Carb, pistons (bored .030 over) do not. 727 transmission is out of a 66.

I wanted to stroke the motor, port/polish heads and put headers on it. Not sure if all this "ruins" everything. I feel like I am violating the car with so many original parts....

 

[monaco66coupe]

find another 383 or 400 to rebuild, and save the original engine. You won't regret it.

 

[stuka1166]

I bought mine as a #'s matching...To me it was important. But now I wish it was faster and meaner...But I won't change anything, as I'm more concerned with what other people MIGHT want, when I sell it.

Next time...I'll think that over first.

BTW...It's for sale !! ;)

 

[Jim's Maxie]

The matching numbers thing got way out of hand years ago because of the money,at the end of the day it is the same block as any other 70 383, period !If someone is stupid enough to crawl under a car to check the numbers,so what,let them go for it.

 

[terzmo]

The matching numbers thing got way out of hand years ago because of the money,at the end of the day it is the same block as any other 70 383, period !If someone is stupid enough to crawl under a car to check the numbers,so what,let them go for it.

People get so **** they want # matching hoses/waterpumps/rads/wires/whatever.....checking the motor is easy..

 

[patrick66]

I demand matching-numbers air in the tires!!! Must be factory air from that same period the car was assembled. Any less, and it's just a car.

 

[poopdeckpappy]

Numbers matching is nice and expensive. Non matching is for an all out assault on what you can do to your car, to not only own it, but make it the baddest on the block!! Blowers, turbos, aftermarket up the wazzooo!Brake and suspension upgrades out of this world! I have a vehicle that is and isn't. I have decided on my numbers matching to keep it clean and original. Protect the history and enjoy it that way. With the non numbers matching, i'm switching motors, redoing the interior and exterior in whatever I want. Actually i'm gonna turn it into what I think it should have been when I bought it, then race the **** out of it and maybe die in a flaming inferno inside it after pushing the car until it spontaneously combusts!!! No BS!!

 

[mmissile]

Matching numbers engines in an old muscle-car, just means it was owned by an old lady or a sissy.

 

[69b3rt]

Matching numbers engines in an old muscle-car, just means it was owned by an old lady or a sissy.

This is the reason the car has survived for you to be able to purchase and play with.

 

[RT SE 440]

non matching numbers means it was beat up , thrashed out , neglected ,messed with, bent up.now the down side of numbers matching is its been cared for,regularly serviced ,garaged, washed, low miles,original parts i know which one i'd rather have

 

[FlagCraig]

My dad is the reason we got into Mopars. When we started owning them 30-35 years ago they had to be matching everything or he would not buy. I was trained with that mentality. When I look today it is not as critical. In fact, my 62 Polara has a non matching motor 383. And the plan is to either go 440 or keep the 383 and make either choice a screamer. Bottom line is make it so you will enjoy it.

 

[Cranky]

I've had a couple of numbers matching cars over the years and sold one to finance the build of another car and the guy that was buying it started saying what all he planned to do with it. This car even had the original paint. I already had the cash in hand and and started to hand it back. He was going to change the engine, interior, color, the whole 9 yards....and was even paying top dollar for it. It had a perfect body with no rust and excellent paint and was 28 years old. I say do what makes YOU happy.

 

[Cranky]

Matching numbers engines in an old muscle-car, just means it was owned by an old lady or a sissy.

I've had several matching numbers cars and I ain't no sissy nor am I an old lady. ALL of my cars have made passes down the drag strip except for one but it got street raced many times. These cars were built to be driven like they were stolen and I still all of my Mopars like that. Besides, when you baby a Mopar, it seems like they end up becoming problem children....