So what engine should I put in my car?

No its not a bolt in the only thing that is a bolt in is the original. But it certainly isn't any harder than putting the SBC in there.

I think the issue here is not one of difficulty but of cost. A MOPAR wedge is not a cheap build.

If there were one available a 413 would be the ***s. They make plenty of torque in stock trim and they have Karma (sic).

 

Call it anything you like...98% of the folks looking could not tell if it was a 383, 400, 413 or 440...Then there are the rest of us...
I am still amazed that after being gone for 32 years there are still plenty of B-RB to be had....maybe I should go buy a couple more...

.

 

I hate to state the obvious but you should preferable put in an engine that runs.

 

Think old motor homes. I've seen a lot of these low miles and cheap. Most are on dodge frames with automatics.
__________________
A bud of mine has bought and s****ped out 3 motor homes this year! (two of them were 440 Chryslers he got for $250 each, and the third was a Chevrolet ch***is, 454, $100; a 'fire job' that had burned from the kitchen area)
All had low miles, he cleaned up the 400s and 727 Torqueflites, sold one for $2500 after camming it, and timing chain; swap meet Offie aluminum valve covers and new Holley 750
The 454 Chev had a TH 400 behind it, and got a similar cleaning. He cut up the ch***is and s**** netted him $425, and he sold the rear axle and wheels/tires for $350. That paid for an Edelbrock intake & carb, finned valve covers, and MSD ignition. A guy gave him $3200 cash for just the engine at the swap meet.
Lotsa motor homes available for low bucks...and most have low mileage. And they can be had right now. (DOW is at 400 points, thereabouts)

 

Mopar. Either the most appropriate for the build or the hotrodder's approach of the biggest sum***** that will fit.

 

A few years ago I bought a Ramcharger with a 360 with the Chrysler equivalent of TBI for $50. I drove it for about three months before I found a Chevy with more room that got better milage. I sold it for $450 and the guy drove it away never to be seen again -

If you want to keep it Mopar, you should be able to find something cheap. The state here auctions off tons of old vans and pickups that are sometimes low-milage runners but they barely bring s**** price.


Although I have to admit it would be fun to respond to people who ask "You got a Hemi in there?" with "No, I wanted something reliable, so I put a Chevy in it" ... that would piss off the purists.

I guess it comes down to budget, if you can't find a Mopar cheap and want to be driving it instead of looking at it, use the Chevy. It's your car, your money, and you don't have to show anyone what's under the hood if you don't want to.

 

I am a Mopar guy and a tree fiddy won't get you any respect let alone a side ways glance. To me the best choice for the money would be to pick up a mid 70's 440 torque flite and put in it. If you look for the the demo derby guys you can usually buy the set up cheap 300 -500 bucks running. I paid 100 bucks for my last one. That way you have a big block, put some easy to get mopar chrome valve covers, a aftermarket intake and a little bling and it would look great and get some respected comments.

 

jxnslotcar;
It's a no-brainer, since you really don't prefer any specific motor. You already have a 350.

 

I put a 440/727 in my 55.

One thing you are going to notice is that while you think you have lots of room, all that room is from side to side and not front to back. My 440 is a tight fit with NO room for a fan. It was so close I had to mount a pusher electric on the front.

And to add........ I do like Chevies but please don't slap a ****in small block Cheby in it. It's a Mopar....keep it that way.

 

seems like you can find 440's for not too much. In my opinion the Chevy deal works in hot rods. 60's and newer cars to me are new enough to find a good factory match block.

 

So if I go Mopar,then probably the best way to go would be a 360. If I could find a reasonable 360 and trans that was fuel injected,well that would be kinda cool. It would have plenty of power to get her down the road and the update with electronics would or should satisfy anyone that is 1/2 way into it.

 

OK,so by perusing Craigslist and sending a couple of emails,I have found a 360 and a 400,both have 727 trans with them. The 400 comes with a short tail shaft trans but he thinks he has a driveshaft that he can put with it. The 360 is newer and same deal with trans butno driveshaft. The 400 is a big block and 360 is small block. which engine would you suggest trying to stuff into this 54 New Yorker?

 

Time to get your tape measure out.
The 440 is wider than a 360 but overall lengths can be deceiving...the 360 has the dizzy out back and the B series is up front where it should be... So, will the 'saved' space in the back make it easier to fit??

Both are good engines, the 400 will produce alot more torque than the 360 and parts are easy to find for either. If the 360 fits better you can always stuff in a 4" crank if you need more grunt.

.

 

Well,I went with the 400. The engine and trans are sitting in the back of my truck as we type. I am going to go through it and replace all of the gaskets before putting it in the car. I might also replace the 2 bbl carb and intake with a 4 bbl and might replace cam and lifters as well. I am thinking around 480 lift or less and duration of less than 230. I will put pics up tomorrow as I have to work outside the shop today at a big car sale that ran over from Saturday. I am doing frre car inspections there at the sale. A buyer can bring it over to me and I will give it the once over before they buy to give them some kind of idea as to what they are buying. I have an enclosed trailer that I am bringing loaded with tools. Of course there is only so much I can do without a hoist.
Anyway,back to the New Yorker,I will post up pics on Tuesday of what I have. I am talking with a fellow HAMBer about an intake that he has tho I am concerned,it may be too much for what I am going to do with this engine and car. It is an OFFy 360 intake that was done in conjunction with Chrysler Engineering. Any suggestions along this route as I really do not know Chrysler. My father before he p***ed away when I was 5 yrs old in 1963 was a Chrysler engineer in Detroit. I was born at Henry Ford hospital so I have cars in the blood.

 

some pics of what i put together for the 54 Chrysler. basically a 74 400ci BB. I just got an Offenhuser 360 intake to put on it. just need to get a carb for it and then start stuffing it into the engine bay! What do you think?

 

I think you made a good choice. I'm a GM guy but the thought of a Chevy in the New Yorker just doesn't make sense to me when Mopar motors are so easy to find.

Good job!

 

Thank you.

I do have a problem in that I do not have the upper water pump pulley. Also,the car has a generator with the power steering pump hooked to the back side of it. I did find NOS motor mounts that bolt onto the engine. Now I just need to fab up the mounts for the car. But the biggest thing at the moment is the water pump pulley. Who keeps those around?

 

Here are some pics of my project. Othet than the 400ci big block and 727 trans,I haven't thought about what else I might do with my car. Mayb paint,lake pipes,ect













Comments,suggestions?

 

Well I like 500 Caddy engines so just drop one in and make me happy.. lol

 

jesus..... Summarizing & paragraphs are your friend.

smack a 125cc 2 stroke vespa engine in there dude. 8hp of grunt, definately not over done, what else could you ask for?

 

thats the stuff.

 

iron duke

 

Sorry about that. I was on a roll. Actually i amm too quiet most of the time,or so I have been told.

 

I have a 2004 5.7 Hemi with a 5 speed auto ****** 42k miles 1000+ shipping.

 

well you almost sounded intelligent.... I'd do the MOPAR engine install also, but as for torching a SBC...dude.

 

Youll catch a lot of **** ifyou run anything but mopar in a mopar. BUT youll be driving your car while the mopar guys are trying to get enough funds together to finish their cars, make it a cruiser and leave the hood closed.

Everything in MI has been hit hard, theres got to be some deals around there if you keep looking for a suitable mopar engine.

Put the chevy in it and have it on the road for cheap by August

 

Uuugh, hey guys (indyjps, 88 gtu, 63FalconFutura) ...he bought an engine 3 days ago!

For the top sheave, call Ed at Wildcat Auto, 503.668.7786.

If you already bought the Offy then use it, if not, the oem manifolds do a good job, likely Ed will have those also.

.

 

Thanks,I will call Ed.

 

I think you need to send that Cheby wagon to my house! I PROMISE to treat her wrong. Good job on the Mopar/Mopar thing. She's a good looking car.

 

ha nah i was just busting balls man. it's all good.