440 and Heavy duty automatic.

[PatS....]

Not sure about anywhere else, but old Mopars here are VERY rare. I mean from anywhere before 1990. Some older trucks but cars are few and far between.

I could find a good SBC in an hour...it took me months to find a decent 383.

A whole 68 Dodge with a 383 would be $2500 (if you could actually find one), a whole 1979 Chevy Impala 350 is $500...equal condition.

The trucks are a bit different but usually worn out. I would never again buy a wrecker engine...always got junk.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a SBC and I do have a good one, but I did luck out on the 383

Some of us have to balance what we can afford with what we want and what's available.

[YukonJack]

Not sure about anywhere else, but old Mopars here are VERY rare. I mean from anywhere before 1990. Some older trucks but cars are few and far between.

I could find a good SBC in an hour...it took me months to find a decent 383.

A whole 68 Dodge with a 383 would be $2500 (if you could actually find one), a whole 1979 Chevy Impala 350 is $500...equal condition.

The trucks are a bit different but usually worn out. I would never again buy a wrecker engine...always got junk.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a SBC and I do have a good one, but I did luck out on the 383

Some of us have to balance what we can afford with what we want and what's available.

I agree, I never considered a junk yard engine a good bet unless you could hear it run. Years ago a friend bought a 350 for his Camaro from a junk yard, 30 day warranty. First one threw a rod in 2 weeks, second one smoked like a chimney, third one he installed but while bolting the torque converter to the flywheel he discovered it wouldn't rotate 360 degrees without locking up. Fourth one was ok and he sold the car once he got it running. At least he wasn't paying someone to R&R these engines.

[hkestes41]

I wasn't suggesting purchasing a junkyard engine and just throwing it in, that was just an easy way to compare expected purchase pricing with like milage and in like locations.

On E-Bay from rebuilt long block 350 $1429 and 360 $1529 from the same builder with the same warranty. From another rebuilder on E-Bay 350 $1395 and 360 $1550. Only $100 to $150 difference.

From Jasper rebuilt 350 $2842 and a 360 $2499

Edited August 26, 2011 by hkestes41

[dezeldoc]

That ought to put that cost bs to rest, and sbc's are junk in my opinion, weak and under powered!!

[wayfarer]

Not sure about anywhere else, but old Mopars here are VERY rare. I mean from anywhere before 1990. Some older trucks but cars are few and far between.

I could find a good SBC in an hour...it took me months to find a decent 383.

A whole 68 Dodge with a 383 would be $2500 (if you could actually find one), a whole 1979 Chevy Impala 350 is $500...equal condition.

The trucks are a bit different but usually worn out. I would never again buy a wrecker engine...always got junk.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a SBC and I do have a good one, but I did luck out on the 383

Some of us have to balance what we can afford with what we want and what's available.

What????

Please explain how you choose to compare a 68 Dodge with a 79 shiverlay, and then use a 383 instead of a small block .....The 383 had been out of production for 8 years when your impala came out.

Obviously, a 68 Dodge is more valuable than a 79 Impala...geesh.

When you try a 'slight-of-hand' with the data you come across looking like a politician.

Edited August 26, 2011 by wayfarer

[YukonJack]

The crate 408 has recently caught my eye. 360 block, believe its bored and stroked. High horse power, not a bad price if you ask me. Starting at 3599.99 at Jegs. Several videos on You Tube in cars and running on engine dynos.

[PatS....]

What????

Please explain how you choose to compare a 68 Dodge with a 79 shiverlay, and then use a 383 instead of a small block .....The 383 had been out of production for 8 years when your impala came out.

Obviously, a 68 Dodge is more valuable than a 79 Impala...geesh.

When you try a 'slight-of-hand' with the data you come across looking like a politician.

This "politician" was looking for a suitable engine for a project...one that runs well and is affordable. I didn't "compare" anything, these are what is sometimes available here to use as donor cars. I started looking for a 383 hence the Dodges. Failing that I started looking for a SBC, hence the Impala. I already HAVE a 440 but I don't really want one in my '49.

To ME, a 68 Dodge with a rusted body and a good engine is no more valuable than an Impala with a rusted body and a good engine...geesh.

I looked alot of cars (and trucks) to find what I have. The search took a long time. I "compared" alot of options within my miniscule budget.

I found a 63 Chrysler with a very bad body but a good running 383 (it was a survivor but badly vandalized)for $200. I found a really good rebuilt 350/400 in a wrecked restored 72 Blazer for $350, and I have the 440/727 I paid $200 for. They all run very well, I can do compression checks I can hear them run.

Pricewise they compare VERY well, thank you fellow citizens.

[hkestes41]

Not sure about anywhere else, but old Mopars here are VERY rare. I mean from anywhere before 1990. Some older trucks but cars are few and far between.

I could find a good SBC in an hour...it took me months to find a decent 383.

A whole 68 Dodge with a 383 would be $2500 (if you could actually find one), a whole 1979 Chevy Impala 350 is $500...equal condition.

The trucks are a bit different but usually worn out. I would never again buy a wrecker engine...always got junk.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a SBC and I do have a good one, but I did luck out on the 383

Some of us have to balance what we can afford with what we want and what's available.

I would imagine finding a 383 would be much more difficult than finding a 350. Just as I expect it would be much more difficult to find a Chevy 427 than it would be to find a 360.

[PatS....]

I would imagine finding a 383 would be much more difficult than finding a 350. Just as I expect it would be much more difficult to find a Chevy 427 than it would be to find a 360.

For me it was much more difficult, but I did find a 383, in my price range. Headed for the scrapyard. I found the 350 too, AND i found a 427...but it was a block on the ground not in a vehicle. Not what I would use but it was free so I grabbed it, cleaned it up, put it on a stand and sold it for $800

My point was that up here good old Mopar stuff in my budget range is something that takes alot of looking and alot of networking. I almost gave up and went with the SBC and I would be quite happy with one...I've had a few that have treated me very well.

[Gary Manes]

Right now it is virtually impossible to find anything in the junk yards. China has been giving such good prices for the last several years that they are all cleaned out.

Finding a "whole" car over a year or so old is nearly impossible. My shop told me that any part he has ever purchcased for himself or a customer was allot cheaper for the 350's than any Ford or Mopar of the same period. I am not in a position to argue with him, and he emphasized after-market parts are available at K-Mart, Walmart or any of the chain car part stores.

But, I am not here to cross swords with a member about pricing. We all do what we want or have to do with our toys. I am just trying to find a way to get the headers around the steering box for a 350/350 combo.

I noticed none of the people that have them in their P-15/D-24's have chimmed in on this disucssion--again.

In all sincerety I do appreciate the positive comments. It just appears that I'll have to find a pro header maker or come up with another option.

Thanks guys.

[james curl]

Chevrolet has made some rear dump manifolds for the left side on the 305 engines, they will fit on a 350 just fine. You need to go the some swap meets and look for Chevrolet manifolds. They come in more shapes and exhaust outlet location than you can imagine. You might try going to muffler shops that install a lot of headers on cars and trucks as they sometimes just throw them into the scrap iron pile to sell as scrap later. I am sure they would be glad to sell you a pair of manifolds.

Edited August 27, 2011 by james curl
spelling

[Rodney Bullock]

Gary, The problem with the header clearance is not so much the header itself but the steering system that is used. I have street rods and custom Chevies. What you are looking at is using a ididit column with a must II steering system. Using the double D shaft with a couple of U joints and a idler Eye you can get around any problem out there. The DD shaft goes though the eye to keep things aligned. The reason some of the guy's don't do this with the mopars is because they want to keep that beautiful steering wheel. I have seen mopars with tilt wheel colums out of modern day mopars. They use Volarie sub frames.

When it comes to chevy motors and GM cloumns these parts are on the junk yard floor. The HP parts for a chevy 350 are cheap and the technology has been simplified to the point that now backyard mechanics are using LS motors in their projects (only 15 wires to hook up and 8 are for the plugs) side from the Flathead Ford of 50 years ago the Chevy is the modern day motor to use. GM was doing this as far back as the olds motor 303 and the caddy motor 331. There are some studebakers I know of that have the 331 in them when Studebakwer had a v8 to use. The R & D used for The 350 is so great you can go as fast as you want with this little motor that is not as long as your L head 6. or as heavy in some cases. look at this motor in my street rod. it has everything you need i pick up a book and in 3 days had all the stuff I needed to have air, power brakes, cam(thumper) intake and yes block hugger headers. I have a HP mopar however that took months and alot of hourse trading. I love my mopar but this chevy was like cutting butter. Maybe if you still had Direct connection they would have made things like chevies aftermarket does.

[dezeldoc]

Gary, The problem with the header clearance is not so much the header itself but the steering system that is used. I have street rods and custom Chevies. What you are looking at is using a ididit column with a must II steering system. Using the double D shaft with a couple of U joints and a idler Eye you can get around any problem out there. The DD shaft goes though the eye to keep things aligned. The reason some of the guy's don't do this with the mopars is because they want to keep that beautiful steering wheel. I have seen mopars with tilt wheel colums out of modern day mopars. They use Volarie sub frames.

When it comes to chevy motors and GM cloumns these parts are on the junk yard floor. The HP parts for a chevy 350 are cheap and the technology has been simplified to the point that now backyard mechanics are using LS motors in their projects (only 15 wires to hook up and 8 are for the plugs) side from the Flathead Ford of 50 years ago the Chevy is the modern day motor to use. GM was doing this as far back as the olds motor 303 and the caddy motor 331. There are some studebakers I know of that have the 331 in them when Studebakwer had a v8 to use. The R & D used for The 350 is so great you can go as fast as you want with this little motor that is not as long as your L head 6. or as heavy in some cases. look at this motor in my street rod. it has everything you need i pick up a book and in 3 days had all the stuff I needed to have air, power brakes, cam(thumper) intake and yes block hugger headers. I have a HP mopar however that took months and alot of hourse trading. I love my mopar but this chevy was like cutting butter. Maybe if you still had Direct connection they would have made things like chevies aftermarket does.

I can do the same thing with a mopar, it it called summit racing!

[Gary Manes]

Thanks everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rodney that is a beautiful installation!

[wayfarer]

I can do the same thing with a mopar, it it called summit racing!

x2

There is no shortage of go-fast parts for the Mopars, there is however, a shortage of folks willing to actually do some thinking. I find no fault with GM or the sbc...as long as they are not stuffed into every available Mopar.

If I was a lotto winner I think that I'd buy a real nice 55 BelAir and install a flathead just to turn the tables.

[dezeldoc]

x2

There is no shortage of go-fast parts for the Mopars, there is however, a shortage of folks willing to actually do some thinking. I find no fault with GM or the sbc...as long as they are not stuffed into every available Mopar.

If I was a lotto winner I think that I'd buy a real nice 55 BelAir and install a flathead just to turn the tables.

Oh no i would go it one better, a 57 Bel air stuffed with a blown 440/727, then for the heck of it do the same with a ZR1 vette! That ought to turn their stomach! :D