New Member, New Polara

Still waiting on the bodyshop to get around to me. But events are transpiring.

IMG_1405.JPG


IMG_1416.JPG


Motor is off for machining. After talking the build over with the guys at the shop they basically said "Yup, good build. No notes", which was reassuring. Gonna enlarge the oil galley to main holes, have the crank balanced, stronger spring in the oil pump bypass, full groove bearings, ARP hardware on the bottom end, etc etc etc. Throwing the entire book of tricks at it.

The deck measured out of level, as mopars are want to do, so it'll get milled flat. Since it already needs premium gas, I figure we'll bump the compression up to 11.5-1 or so. Jaguar v12's ran at 12-1 back in the 70's so i think that's pretty safe. Should be as hype as a stock looking 383 can be. Also picked up the tranny while i was down there.

IMG_1368.JPG


IMG_1370.JPG


Really impressed with the casting tolerances on the 440 source head. Very close to the ideal, won't need much touching up to gasket match. Might need to open up the pushrod clearances though.

IMG_1376.JPG


Less impressed with the Edelbrock manifold.

IMG_1420.JPG


Also bought the carpet and radio from Retro Manufacturing, because who knows what's going to go on with the tarriffs.


Avanti.
 
Last edited:
Still waiting on the bodyshop to get around to me. But events are transpiring.

View attachment 705261

View attachment 705262

Motor is off for machining. After talking the build over with the guys at the shop they basically said "Yup, good build. No notes", which was reassuring. Gonna enlarge the oil galley to main holes, have the crank balanced, stronger spring in the oil pump bypass, full groove bearings, ARP hardware on the bottom end, etc etc etc. Throwing the entire book of tricks at it.

The deck measured out of level, as mopars are want to do, so it'll get milled flat. Since it already needs premium gas, I figure we'll bump the compression up to 11.5-1 or so. Jaguar v12's ran at 12-1 back in the 70's so i think that's pretty safe. Should be as hype as a stock looking 383 can be. Also picked up the tranny while i was down there.

View attachment 705264

View attachment 705265

Really impressed with the casting tolerances on the 440 source head. Very close to the ideal, won't need much touching up to gasket match. Might need to open up the pushrod clearances though.

View attachment 705266

Less impressed with the Edelbrock manifold.

View attachment 705263

Also bought the carpet and radio from Retro Manufacturing, because who knows what's going to go on with the tarriffs.


Avanti.
You might be stuck with additives or running on racing fuel with the compression ratio that you cited. Remember, in the early 70’s, 103 octane, leaded pump gas was available.
I am sure others will chime in.

Beautiful engine eye candy!
 
You might be stuck with additives or running on racing fuel with the compression ratio that you cited. Remember, in the early 70’s, 103 octane, leaded pump gas was available.
I am sure others will chime in.

Beautiful engine eye candy!

Talked to everyone i knew, including the engine builder at the machine shop and they said 12 is the ceiling for pump gas. But the timing curve has to be really exact. Those XJS's with 12-1 motors still run just fine today.
 
Back
Top