Complete Built 440

[js27]

I am thinking of putting my Challenger back all stock. If I do I would sell my current 440 in the car. What do you all think it is worth.. I am think around $4000.00 ( Cost around $7000.00 for me to build)
72 or 73 block ( can't remember-I know it was a cast crank)
Motor was professionally rebuilt by Dave Straley out of PA. He closed his shop shortly after he built this to work for Richard Petty enterprises building motors.
440--30 Over
Originally a 8.5 compression motor but heads and block were cut to bring up the compression ratio to 9.1( Intake was matched)
Car runs on 93 pump gas--no pinging.
507 or 511 ( I have to find the cam card for all the specs.) Lunati hyd. cam
Block bored with head plates
Holly 750-dual feed-double pumper
Edelbrock RPM intake
Light porting on the heads
1 7/8 Hooker Header
Milidon 8 qt. pan with windage tray
MSD Pro Billet Dist with Blaster coil and MSD 6a box
Mopar Perf-Air cleaner and valve covers.
TRW high volume oil pump
Flow Koller water pump and thermostat-cars runs at 180 even in South Carolina summers.
Frank Lupo 3000 stall convertor with B&M Flex Plate.
I would be willing to let the trans go also if you have a correct 70-383 HP trans to trade.
Motor has less than 5000 miles on it.  Starts right up--shuts right off--no leaks
In car and running so yes I would take you for a ride..

[dave73]

I'm curious 

[303 Mopar]

Sounds like a good build. Issue is going to be finding a local buyer or working out shipping somewhere.

[Chryco Psycho]

Cast crank I believe

[dave73]

Bring your challenger back to original. Then find another car to stuff the 440 into 

[Chryco Psycho]

I doubt you will come ahead building another engine & selling this one

[js27]

I doubt you will come ahead building another engine & selling this one

The 383 will just be a stock rebuild-nothing fancy..
JS27

[js27]

Bring your challenger back to original. Then find another car to stuff the 440 into 

I thought of that but my health is not up to any more projects. I actually thought about farming out my car to a resto shop and have them do the work but not sure I could afford that.
JS27

[1 Wild R/T]

My question like Chryco Psycho's is why? your gonna lose money on the 440, building the 383 will cost more money & not make the power of the 440, the car will never be numbers matching so why?  Clearly your car, your choice but I just don't see the justification...

[dave73]

Bring your challenger back to original. Then find another car to stuff the 440 into 

I thought of that but my health is not up to any more projects. I actually thought about farming out my car to a resto shop and have them do the work but not sure I could afford that.
JS27

With this statement, why not just leave it alone and enjoy it? Sounds like it's pretty stress free as it is. But I get having the bug and always wanting to change something.

[Chryco Psycho]

My question like Chryco Psycho's is why? your gonna lose money on the 440, building the 383 will cost more money & not make the power of the 440, the car will never be numbers matching so why?  Clearly your car, your choice but I just don't see the justification...

I highly doubt the car would be easier to sell as well , I just fail to see any logic 

[js27]

I thought it might be easier to sell if it were all stock. When I had it up for sale on here last year someone made the comment that people but convertibles to go cruising  and not racing. I never thought of it that way but kind of made sense. I haven't built a motor in 20 years so what would it cost to do a stock rebuild on a 383. I have a complete motor that was running in the car when pulled and turns freely..so I do not expect to find any supersizes when taken apart.
JS27

[Chryco Psycho]

HOw long is a piece of string ??
What level are you willing to fix things , what was the condition of the engine when it last ran ?
To build an engine properly I would say 5k minimum , but it could be less depending what you do or find .
You can just hone the cylinders , change the rings & use the old pistons , the clearances won't be correct but the engine will run for a while .

Trying to out think the buyer never seems to work , you pull the 440 the buyer will want a 440 in it 

[GrandpaKevin]

From the build description of your excellent running 440 it doesn't sound like it's too far off from stock already.

Compression ratio sounds good and the cam specs sounds just a bit above stock.


Maybe swap out the big oil pan and pickup for a Hemi style 6 quart one and a little lower stall converter depending on your rear gear ratio and then install stock type valve covers and air cleaner.
Swap out the headers for manifolds or let the future owner decide on that.

Those changes are a lot less $$$$ than taking a chance on a complete 383 engine rebuild.

[js27]

Thank You all for your advice. You all make good points. I would like to know if you were in the market for a motor would you pay $4000.00 for this motor ? if not what do you think it is worth?
JS27