Finally have a C Body!

I like the advice about lifters. For sure follow the advice about oiling, resting, turning, and oiling again before starting. The cam tip is a good one, too. My first (only, to date) engine rebuild was my '68 Dart GT. It made a wild clanking noise one day that turned out to be a flat cam. I didn't know that, so I rebuilt the engine, figuring I'd thereby fix whatever was wrong.

However, once I disassembled the engine, the flat lobe was immediately obvious.

If the top end was apart on your car, it might be because there was some noise. Lube up the engine, and hand crank it over, taking a good look at the cam lobes through the valley. You might not be able to see anything wrong, but then again, you might.
 
This is the debate I'm having with myself now! If I decide to go with a new cam, what do you guys recommend for a good street performance cam?
 
There are lots a cam manufacturers to choose from, but when I did my 70' 383 I went with a factory 383/440 magnum spec cam. I had considered an RV type cam initially but changed my mind half way thru it. My set up pretty standard (eddy carb, electronic ignition conversion w/ recurved dist, duals..blah, blah. Runs great, no regrets.
 
Yep, best money spent since you have it apart already. Hey worst comes to worst, if you put it together and there's something wrong with the lower end, that's all you have to get rebuilt. The top end will be new.

This is the cam I would suggest. There are many, but this is a good cam for what you have in my opinion before having to upgrade the converter. This is a little hotter than the stock magnum cam. If I remember, the magnum cam has 455 lift, but are a good cam too.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-21-222-4/overview/
 
Also a good suggestion posted above, but no more than that for the stock valve train and converter. Then you'll have to get into adjustable push rods and crap. Not that that's a bad thing.
 
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Decided to pull the heads off today. Still didn't find anything obviously wrong. There was a big a$$ spider who had taken up residence in one of the cylinders though! That was....not too cool at all! lol
 
Mopar performace offers what is called a "purple shaft". It's a nice upgrade without having to change converters. Works well with OEM manifolds, and better with headers.

Lunati, Damond Racing Engines and general Kenetics all offer excellet cams also.

Comp cams are made in China ..... beware.
 
bluefury361 said:
Mopar performace offers what is called a "purple shaft". It's a nice upgrade without having to change converters. Works well with OEM manifolds, and better with headers.

Lunati, Damond Racing Engines and general Kenetics all offer excellet cams also.

Comp cams are made in China ..... beware.
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Actually they have a series of cams called purple shaft cams. They have stock 383 / 440 Magnum resto cams and more aggressive ones. I'm planning to use the 112 center line 272 cam myself.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Mopar-Performance/Mopar-Performance-Purple-Shaft-Camshaft-Kits/746961/10002/-1
 
There's a possibility that someone removed parts off the engine to use on another engine.Glad to hear she broke free.I would have lubed up the cylinders and let it sit for a few days and then have done a compression test on all the cylinders before removing the heads.But since you've got this far,I'd rebuild the heads,replace the cam,lifters,pushrods,timing chain,and rebuild the carb or add a new one.Switch over to electronic ignition while your at it.Since you've got it down to the block,I'd pull it out,clean out the oil pan and replace your pan gasket,and clean up and repaint the block and install new motor mounts.Much easier to do now than have to rip it all apart latter on.
 
That's kind of where I'm at now on this project....might as well just yard her out and do it right. That way I can clean and detail under the hood also.
 
I'm sorry to be so hesitant for you to put out the cash for all the top end stuff, then you put it back together only to find that the compression is down. My opinion you should have it rebuilt. If you're pulling it out, you might as well get it done. You'll have a new motor. What gears does it have? Also, are you planning on doing upgrades to the motor, like different intake, carb, headers, ignition and so forth. Reason I'm asking is that will matter when it's time for cam selection. The MP purples have been around for ever and are old school, but are still good cams, but there are much better cams out now (more modern) that will work much better and be more efficient. Not that you have to listen to anything I have to say because it's your build. But, if you give me the information of what your plan is, my buddy Danny and I can steer you in the right direction if you would like to hear it. I was talking to him the other day about your car and not to blow smoke, but Danny is a walking MOPAR freak and knows his **** when it comes to engine combos. Let me know what you think! He writes for MOPAR muscle mag and does a lot of testings and does a lot of builds for them.
 
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I emailed Danny this morning and this is what he had to say. Read below. He picked out the same cam I did in this thread including all the other parts. So we are both on the same page.

John, sorry too busy for anything but writing,.lol. Finishing up on 2-stories for MM.
If he wants a good cam without rebuilding I'd get on the CompCams website and check out these grinds. He'll need to get new lifters, timing set and valve springs which can be changed in the car. Personally thats what I'd do cause 383's will run forever. For now without a rebuild I'd go with the Extreme Energy XE262H .462/.470 lift, 218/224 Dur @ .050
With a rebuild and 3.55's The Extreme Energy XE268H .477/.480 lift, 224/230 Dur @ .050. Again you need to go through the catalog and choose the recommended/matched Lifters, Springs, and Timing Set. If it was my car I'd pop in the XE262H cam and run 3.23's for a much stronger runner than his present combo.
More Moparin' Later,
R/T Rallye Dan
 
Thanks for all the advice and help guys. I really appreciate it! Once I get the engine out and on a stand to inspect it better, I'll figure out what my game plan is.
 
Sad part is.. you are much further away from driving it.... i always like to take the shortest route to getting it running and driving first.. plenty of time later to spend your money on rebuilds/cam changes.. etc. I have a 66 nyer with 69 440 in it.. it had been sitting for 10 years when I bought it. I pulled plugs.. little marvel mystery oil in cylinders and down the carb..... worked it over until it spun freely..a few days later.. new plugs/points/cap/rotor/oil change.. it would run off gas poured in the old carb.. but not from a gas can... figured fuel pump was bad.. maybe reason car stopped being driven. Seems the cam had worn just enough to stop the fuel pump push rod from actuating the fuel pump diaphragm. Order a slightly longer fuel pump rod from Summit. Once all put back together.. ran nice... not rebuilt motor nice.. but definately good enough! Sure it needs a new cam sometime in the future.. but it is running driving car now with little amount of money spent as possible.
 
.....five years later and I'm finally driving the old girl! Lol I still need to get the gas gauge and radio working, but everything else is working great. Another C back on the road. :)
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NWMoparguy said:
Sealed the deal and got this one home today. A super solid 68 Polara.....and it's a factor big block car. Unfortunately, the 383 is stuck from sitting with no spark plugs. Guess I'm going to have to round up a replacement. Other than that, she need a few trim pieces and a good clean up to be on the road again.

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Dodge looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!! And good luck! Can beat the '68 C bodies!
 
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