Puff the Tragic Wagon

I've been thinking of going 518 with a Ultra bell in the wagon for a while now. But I think 69 has it right....the wagon needs to be an auto cruiser.
 
if it wernt for the weird funky fun of the 3 on the tree OD of my 58 ford she would be an auto i even have the auto dash plate..many a day i wish it were an auto for cruisin
 
I have everything required to convert my wagon to a manual shift....just can't justify doing it though. As mentioned, it's something about being a cruiser. ;)
 
yeah ive got the important bits to do my 58 ford to auto..save for the trans...but the way the OD works on it..is like having an auto "most" of the time with a lil fun of the manual...imo for a cruiser..and what it is..its the best of both worlds
 
383's are fine. Knowing what I know about big blocks, I'd always wish a 383 was an equivalently built 400, but there's still nothing inherently wrong with a 383.
 
v8440 said:
Knowing what I know about big blocks, I'd always wish a 383 was an equivalently built 400...
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100% agreed. However, since this isn't some max-effort race engine, the cubic inches don't really mean a lot to me. A good-running, reliable, and reasonably efficient engine fits the bill just fine, all of which can be done quite easily with a mild, 350hp-ish 383. If I weren't hell-bent on this particular project involving a big-block, I'd run one of the several 360s I've got lying around for the better torque output.
 
An ideal motor for this car would be something lo-po with high torque, like a 413, 426W...or even an RB383. :hmmm: But finding one for cheap would be too difficult. :(
 
Yes, it would. However, with the right bits a small-port 383 with a mild cam can make 450+lb/ft, which is enough authority to move it along briskly if not at a white-knuckle pace. I have absolutely no concerns about quarter-mile times or top speed on this one. For both buy-in and efficiency purposes, it's pretty hard to beat a good-running 383 I can pick up for a C-note--unless I want to run a small-block, which I very much do not.
 
I'm not sure a 360 really makes more torque than an equivalent 383. Perhaps a bit more pretty low in the rpm range, but the extra 23 cubic inches count for something.
 
Well, in '71, both with good-flowing heads, middle-8s on compression, and virtually the same carburetor the 360 makes only 15lb/ft less than the 383, and does it 400 RPM lower (2,400 v. 2,800). The 383 has a .200" larger intake valve and a .140" larger exhaust valve than the 360 and has a better camshaft profile. Simply dropping a set of 340 heads on the 360 would probably push it past the 383. That's a fair comparison, really, since the 383 already has the top-dog heads for its engine series (same as a 440HP).

I would think it's a safe bet that the 383 would ultimately out-HP the 360, but the 360's .205" longer stroke (and smaller bore) would make it a better choice for sheer torque production. The near-100lb weight savings is just icing on the cake. 383s are like really large 340s--they're usually more fun up high.
 
But don't forget the eye candy. When you pop the hood and show of your small block people go, "Uh-huh", But show them any big block and it becomes, "Whoa".
 
68R/T said:
But don't forget the eye candy.
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I'm not. That's why I'm insisting on putting a big block in the car. Eye candy will abound.

The 413 would be awesome, but no way am I paying for pistons or shipping, and besides, the biggest Plymouth engine available was the 383. Tall-deck engines were the domain of Chrysler and Imperial only in '61... not that I'm restoring it. :D
 
I have a rebuilt '72 440 here. In fact, it's the turd out of your challenger. With 3 sizes smaller cam it would be great. Of course, shipping would be a real motherfucker. I also have several 400 blocks sitting around. I can get business rates on shipping, and your 383 steel crank would drop right in.
 
I tell you what, I need to fix 5th gear in the dually, but other than that I could actually load the bed up and haul a bunch of stuff up there. Problem is, it would be a LONG LONG trip. It would have to be worth my while to make it. I have big block 727's, 400 blocks, 440 blocks, the complete '72 steel crank 440 I mentioned earlier, and a 1964 casting AAQA 413 block. That's one of the ones that could have been a max wedge motor but wasn't. Got a bunch of NOS stuff too. By a bunch, I mean 3 pickup truck loads worth.
 
Hanging out with our dumb asses isn't enough for you? :D :D

It is a long ride. Something like 1065 miles. 15 to 16 hrs.
 
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