Tazet's 69 Charger.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 8:08 am

Clivey's right on the money there taz. I've not seen your car yet but I've seen John rebuild a Mustang from the roof panel and left hand A pillar downwards into a show stopping/winning example!

The good thing about your car is that your going to know right up front what your in for. The aforementioned mustang and also Steve Hughes Roadrunner (another JC show winner) both went in for just "tart up resprays" what neither knew was that the mustang was more play dough than metal and the Road Runner had been rolled and had a bit of 4x2 between the roof panel and bow!

It may be a slow process but it will be well worth it

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 8:09 am

I thought Mustangs were made of play-doh from the factory Phil?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 8:17 am

Yes photos would be great.

If I can I will try and get there today to have a look.
Yes she does need a lot of work and some but I'll get there in the end somehow. The biggest worry was straightening and the bulk head but now John has it that's one less worry for me. I've never hidden that it's knackered and anyone in the right frame of mind would have written it off. Anyone else who goes to see it be prepared to see the worst as I've been completley honest and realistic about it's state. The chances of having it on the road this year are very slim indeed but would be nice if I could get it's body work and mechanical stuff done and MoT it spring next year. The other stuff can be done after. All depends on the money which is very tight. I have been told I have 99% of the car in boxed at the garage where I keep it but it's finding out how much of the 99% I can actually use.
Is there anyone local who knows about engines that can come and have a look at the pile of bits I have and tell me what I need to get to start to re build it. Might as well start on that while I have the garage space to spread out in. My next purchace will be a proper engine stand so it can be worked on.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 8:28 am

Everything that gets done will be done properly Tanya so there is no need to worry about that. She'll be a great motor when she's back on the road and you will have peace of mind. I think the main thing is not to get despondent. I know that looking at a car when it isn't at it's best is difficult but the only way is up now.

As far as the engine goes, you are looking at getting yourself a good insurance policy at this stage. If I were you, I would get a new cam, new lifters, new timing gear and chain, oil pump and fuel pump. Get new cam bearings and big end bearings and new rings deffo. That little lot will not set you back too much. The things you need expert help with will be stuff like checking the heads and block (sure someone can make a suggestion or two with who that could be. Get some new core plugs put in and the rest is up to you. Carb, alternator etc. Scott Carter and John R are absolute masters in my view in getting bang for the buck. They have done a lot of good stuff with Scott's Sattelite and it didn't cost anywhere near as much as some have spent.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 8:40 am

Thanks for the list.
Yes she's in the best hands possible now. I have a finnished car in my mind and that's what I'm working towards it's just getting there that's the fun part

So with the little list you have given me, where would be the best place to go shopping?
I would love someone to help me put the engine together as I would love to know how it all goes together and how everything works that way if down the line something goes wrong then I will know how to fix it hopefully. The 2 guys you listed how local are they to me, (near Guildford) Do they do full re builds, as that's what it needs or would they come out and hepl at my garage? Sorry for the dumb questions but still getting to know people and stuff on here.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 10:05 am

Tanya,

a great place with great service for the stuff you will ned is W.A.S.P. Racong. Call Chris and discuss what you need. He sources from the States too and can have your parts here in a week (depending on availability in the U.S) as he receives a delivery at that interval. He can send stuff straight to John for you if need be.

The other two are not a business. They are two knowledgeable members of this board. Scott is Derek Carter's son, John is a good freind to us all and Dave (Two Lanes) Armstrong is one of the clan. I am SURE you have met them all if you know Dave. Best bet is to get yer butt to the Chelsea Cruise (last Saturday of the month) and get yourself known among the gang. They'll all be there and will be more than happy to help out with any advice you need.

Nothing beats a face-to-face when you have a problem you want to talk about.

Assempling a stock engine is relatively straight forward if you know your way round a spanner, have a good deal of common sense, are practically minded and you have a good source of help.

There is a good book around called 'How to Rebuild Big Block Mopars'. Get it. It is very well written, with good piccies, and very easy to follow. The author is rebuilding a 383 but the principles will be the same.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 10:25 am

Thanks again. Yes I know Dave very well and it's his fault I bought this as he let me drive his Charger and it was love at first drive.

I then blame one of my forum members as he sent me the link to my one when it came up for sale

I do know Derek so I must have met Scott then.
We'll try and get to the cruise at the end of this month.
Working on cars and engines doesn't faze me in the slightet as I love getting stuck in. Finger nails grow back

I've tinkered and serviced my own cars in the past but not to this scale.
The book you mentioned, is it written by Don Taylor? if so then I already have it on my bookshelf

and as I've been written off work for a couple of days I'll try and sit down and read it. The so called engine that I have a milion pieces for is a 383

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 10:47 am

You can be encouraged by the fact that the engine you have has a prehistoric level of technology. Count yourself lucky its not a quad cam V8 from an Aston or Alfa Romeo Montreal

I think that is the book. White, red writing, B&W pictures. Its a very good read.

The most awkward part of starting an engine build is assessing the condition of the block and heads. That needs specialist skills and tools/measuring devices. Chances are they will 'probably' be ok, but it is worth checking incase the bores/decks etc. need work. A stock engine will be more tolerable in the quality of build than a race engine, although precision is still required.

Try and get to the cruise if you can. Derek/Dave will be more than happy to make introductiosn, as will I if I am there.

Can't be there this month as I have exams at the end of April.

Everything will work out just fine.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Apr 01, 09 10:47 am

Sometimes with engines it is easier and cheaper to just buy a crank kit to drop straight into a prepared block. Particularly if the crank needs grinding and you need new pistons, rings, bearings, etc etc.

440 Source offer full stroker kits that will bolt straight into your 383 and, coupled with a good street cam, will give you a very strong tire shredding engine.

383 >> 438. (3.75" stroke/6.760" rod) Approximate Bobweight: 2100

This kit takes a 440 crank and rods, and stuff's 'em into a 383. The result is a 438. This one's a high revving screamer (just like the factory 383's were - but our parts are light years ahead of the old factory stuff,) with all new parts capable of 1000+ horsepower.

The low deck, 3.750" stroke version of our Platinum Series crank used in this kit has the counterweights finished at the smaller "B" engine size, to ensure they will drop right into the block with no counterweight clearancing issues. Depending on the block used, many of customers find this kit drops right in with no modifications whatsoever!

Please note that Clevite's only main bearings available for 383 engines are the "P" series bearings. These bearings may require slight modification to clear the larger radius on our cranks. Most shops will be able to do this without a problem. See our Bearings page for details. We keep all the kits listed below normally on our our shelf and ready to ship, usually within 24 hours!

Kit options:
Rings and Bearings package deal:
Add Clevite 77's top of the line performance chamfered rod bearings and full groove mains. (P series main bearings and H series rod bearings)
AND Childs & Albert or Total Seal ductile iron Plasma-Moly File Fit rings. All 3 items (rod bearings, main bearings and ring set) are just: $248!!

AND, get all these components PRECISION FINAL BALANCED together for just $150 bucks!

For some quick math, that makes the whole stroker kit with premium chamfered rod & main bearings and rings, all final balanced and ready to go, come to just $1897!! ($1499+$248+$150=$1897!!)

R.RUNNER · Post by **R.RUNNER** » Wed Apr 01, 09 4:29 pm

[quote="Clivey"
Assempling a stock engine is relatively straight forward if you know your way round a spanner, have a good deal of common sense, are practically minded and you have a good source of help.

[/quote]

Who built your engine "CLIVEY"

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 5:07 pm

Well I've just come back from JC's and talk about timing. They had it on the jig and were hooking it up to straighten it just as we walked in the door. The whole process was explained and demonstrated and right before our eyes we watched it happen. It was truly amaizing watching the chassis legs moving across like butter. We walked in to a bent car and left a straight one. Yipee it's all starting to get exciting

I have loads of photos but have only just quickly poped home to tell you lot. Photos when I get back later

Thanks John and Andy, (the guy working on my car)

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Apr 01, 09 7:39 pm

tazet wrote:The book you mentioned, is it written by Don Taylor? if so then I already have it on my bookshelf

I would strongly recommend you also read "Big-Block Mopar Performance" by Chuck Senatore. This is a more techincal and more race oriented book but takes you through all the stages of rebuilding an engine in an easy to understand method (with lots of pictures!).

By using both books side by side you should be able to build this engine to a very good standard for minimal cost and long life.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 11:16 pm

Thanks for that Dave. Will look it up.

Just sifting through todays photos to put on here.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 11:27 pm

R.RUNNER wrote:[quote="Clivey"
Assempling a stock engine is relatively straight forward if you know your way round a spanner, have a good deal of common sense, are practically minded and you have a good source of help.

Who built your engine "CLIVEY"

[/quote]

I ground the valves in, did a bit of porting, fitted the crank, rods pistons and rings. Replaced the camshaft bearings, fitted the camshaft, lifters rocker shafts pushrods, oil pump, fuel pump, timing gear. Thats about it really. In my garage at home.

oh, and I painted it.

seriously though, everything on and in it was fitted by moi.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Apr 01, 09 11:31 pm

Ok don't know how much you can see from these. More a thing of you had to be there to see it really.