project62

I have a 1968 numbers matching 383 for a roadrunner, did not run but did crank over we stopped because the oil pump is bad didn't want to seize it up, but me and my boys were going to rebuild to motor, but we want to put a bigger motor in the car it has never been touched internally other than the crank being balanced before we got it also have a 727 trans if you want it but part of bellhousings broken off. Looking to get atleast 4500 out of it.

Located Massillon Ohio

Edit ment 4500 not 3500 but not gonna haggel fair deal for a rare motor

Iowan

Only 3500?

TVLynn

I read it as just a motor and trans BOTH junk...

Iowan

Sorry project62,
I was being sarcastic, I figured you meant 350.

project62

Wow. So in your opinion, which doesn't really matter. What is a numbers matching 383 worth?

Iowan

Well, first thing is numbers matching what?
Do you have the car that the numbers on the 383 match?

It's just a 383, condition unknown and only worth what someone will pay for it. And worth less than the 440 parts your going to buy!

project62

Go find a running 383 hp motor in good condition from a 68 roadrunner and tell me the price. Because I can't find ANY to compare with...ours isn't junk because it didn't start...anything could have not made it start before we pulled it to redo gaskets and oil pump/pickup

Iowan

On a big block it's been my experiences if the oil pump goes so does the rods and mains, 50/50 on the crank needing to be turned or junk, line bore the block etc.. I've had two fail one just needed a set of bearings the other the crank and block were junk.

Iowan

The value is in the block and are sold as block only a most of the time. A clean standard bore might get you $400 a .030 over might only get you $150 and a .060 over good luck. That's with no flaws, modifications or repairs, previous or needed. You might have a hp block but what has happened to it over the last 47 years is any ones guess.

Coronet 500

You should advertise this at FBBO and see what kind of response you get, good luck.

TVLynn

The problem is it will never be a numbers matching. A 440 can be got for $4-500 from a motor home It costs the same to rebuild a 440 as a 383. Trans case is broken ? = Junk !!!!!. AND A BIG RED FLAG for the motor.... The only way the motor would be worth any thing would be if the owner of the car it came from was looking for the motor.. The only way that motor would be worth $4500 was if it was a FRESH rebuild with receipts

project62

What is FBBO?

project62

all right. thanks everybody for busting my ***** on here. don't think the owner will be looking for this engine considering he's dead. leaving for work now i will post some stuff on here about car i bought and the motor. no i do not have the car the 383 is out of.

Iowan

Not trying to "bust your *****" but maybe help you get a down to earth price on you 383 so you can sell it and move forward with your project. Thinking its worth big bucks setting in your shop for the next 30 years is not going to help get your car done.

I've been into 440s for 35 years, bought and sold a few and built more than a few. The cool thing about forums is you can tap into experience, some times you have to weed thru the bs and confecting onions to get your answer's, but there here. I had not heard of FBBO so I googled it, good advice.

project62

I have just decided to just keep to keep it. By the way, what is ridiculous and what is reasonable for machine work? I was quoted between 1500 and 2000 to have all machine work done to heads and block. Not made of money here. To me that seems outrageous. Of course they're not the only place around. Have plenty of machine shops around.

Iowan

It depends on how much work every thing needs, but it's not hard to spend money once you get started with the rebuild. Blocks are hardly ever square, rods need to be reconditioned, cylinders bored etc.. It's cheaper in the long run to go with aftermarket heads that will give more power and have better parts than your iron heads.

1500 - 2000 not out of line but use a shop that knows big block mopars.