NEED ADVICE

Author Topic: NEED ADVICE  (Read 1107 times)

Offline js27

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NEED ADVICE
« on: January 18, 2006 - 07:30:30 PM »
Here we go.... I'm thinking of selling my 67 GTX to finance a new HEMI for my 70 Challenger. What I need is some advice on crate motors(heard alot of bad thing about these) compared to handbuilt--Ray Barton--John Arruzza-- I know I will have to change the torsion bars to hemi ones but I think that is all I will need since the new block should bolt up to a 440 K-Member. My 727 should also work but I don't know about my converter. Am I missing anything ??
I will most likely sell the 440 in the car now complete. So if anyone out there already did this--what do think about cost wise and labor wise.
I had always planned to put a HEMI in this baby from day one but the cost was a factor and now as much as I love my GTX I am getting old and keeping up two cars is getting hard.
SO SHOULD I DO IT OR NOT????
Thanks
JS27
« Last Edit: April 19, 2006 - 01:22:01 PM by Rev-It-Up »
1967 GTX
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Conv.




Offline matt63

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2006 - 09:18:33 PM »
What about the Stage V hemi head conversion for your 440?  I think that these are still available. http://www.stagev.com/
Matt in Edmonton

'68 Valiant
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Oldschool

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2006 - 09:56:13 PM »
JS---I've heard that the thing to do with the crates is to immediately tear it apart and blueprint/balance and reassmble.  That way you can visually inspect each part prior to reassembly.  You will know what you got.  The folks that have done that have had very few problems with the crates. Just my  :2cents:   :cooldancing:  ...Oldschool

Offline 70RTdroptop

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2006 - 10:10:33 PM »
I agree with Oldschool on this, too. I've heard that the crate motors aren't that good, and the thing to do is tear them down complete, and balance and blueprint them for a killer engine.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440-6 convertible
1966 Ford Mustang convertible  - numbers matching (wife's car )

Offline hemi71

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2006 - 10:25:00 PM »
 :iagree:

My 71 cuda had a 472 crate that was taken apart and gone over....it ran good. weak points on the crate motors are the rocker studs, rear main seals, and just general assembly practices. If you get a crate motor, just take it apart and go over it.

No need to change torsion bars..if you have big block bars in there now...dont worry about that.  If you get a hemi..get the standard hemi block..the hemi block with the 440 motor mounts require a custom header. get the standard hemi block, and use your big block wedge K member with schumacher mounts. nice fit and standard hemi headers/exhaust manifolds fit  nicely.

Offline js27

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2006 - 07:09:37 PM »
Thanks for all you help !!!
JS27
1967 GTX
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Conv.

Offline Follicly Challenged

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2006 - 10:23:58 PM »
Take it apart if you get one ! 'nuff said !

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2006 - 06:21:32 AM »
By using a hemi block with 440 mount ears it interferes with the fit of the #1&2 exhaust pipe with either headers or manifolds , you would be better off with std hemi block & Schumaker mounts on the 440 K frame , I know the manifolds fit this way , Headers should fit but may have interference with larger diameter tubes , TTi will know for sure what will fit of the products they offer 

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline gomangoRT/SE

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2006 - 08:20:35 AM »
Pardon me, I am highjacking this post, but I am going from a 383 to 440 in my Challenger RT/SE, will I have to change anything about this K frame??   Wont this just drop in?    And like JS27 I am thinking of purchasing a Hemi to go into this car.    On Barrett Jacksons the other nite they announcers said you could buy a Hemi engine for around $10,000.     Based on what I have seen advertised, the cheapest is in the $13,000 range.     I would like to perhaps buy an older 67 to 71 rebuilt Hemi to install....

Offline ESGEE

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2006 - 08:46:16 AM »
Matt63 those sounds intressting if they are still aroud, do you know how the 440/Hemi then work when its mounted?
70 Challenger RT/SE(Looking for 383 Magnum N0B196875)
70 Challenger RT/SE(Looking for 383 Magnum N0B115166)
70 Challenger SE(RT/SE clone)
69 Charger RT/SE 4speed Trackpac
70 Charger 500

cudahob

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2006 - 09:10:06 AM »
Pardon me, I am highjacking this post, but I am going from a 383 to 440 in my Challenger RT/SE, will I have to change anything about this K frame??   Wont this just drop in?    And like JS27 I am thinking of purchasing a Hemi to go into this car.    On Barrett Jacksons the other nite they announcers said you could buy a Hemi engine for around $10,000.     Based on what I have seen advertised, the cheapest is in the $13,000 range.     I would like to perhaps buy an older 67 to 71 rebuilt Hemi to install....

It will drop in, a Hemi will not.

Offline 72H2

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2006 - 09:26:58 AM »
I agree with Oldschool on this, too. I've heard that the crate motors aren't that good, and the thing to do is tear them down complete, and balance and blueprint them for a killer engine.


I know that you are talking about Hemi crate motors, but I wanted to share my small block crate motor experience. I put a 380hp small block crate motor in my challenger. The right bank smoked from the start. Turns out that a disgruntled employee sent out 4 crate motors without valve seals on the right bank.
The motor has now been torn down, valve seals fixed, and balanced and blueprinted. Runs really good.

Offline moparclown

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2006 - 03:17:11 PM »
my crate 360 made it 1600 miles before it popped.but its all back together by a trusted mopar builder and i just need to pick it up.also know a guy that bought a hemi crate engine that wouldnt run right turned out it had the cam bearing problem.but thats all fixed now.so my two cents are tear it down and check everything.

Offline ESGEE

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2006 - 04:01:36 PM »
I was thinking buying a cratemotor for my SE(the 340 in it is really bad, with valve noice and stuff) but after reading this i think i will put the money on a total restore of my old one insted, but if i had money for it i would go for a 426 and just tear it down and have the one motor :drool:
70 Challenger RT/SE(Looking for 383 Magnum N0B196875)
70 Challenger RT/SE(Looking for 383 Magnum N0B115166)
70 Challenger SE(RT/SE clone)
69 Charger RT/SE 4speed Trackpac
70 Charger 500

Offline matt63

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Re: NEED ADVICE
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2006 - 06:00:27 PM »
Matt63 those sounds intressting if they are still aroud, do you know how the 440/Hemi then work when its mounted?

I don't know if the StageV is still around.  I remember an article in a Mopar mag a few years back.  They put one in an orange  '67 Dart and it ran 10.5 If I remember correctly.
Matt in Edmonton

'68 Valiant
'73 Cuda 340 4 speed (408) SOLD