Well I gave myself a Christmas present this year, much to the dismay of my family and significant other, and got a 1967 Dodge Charger rolling chassis. There is no engine or transmission in it, so that was a selling point as I have a 383 that I need to get off the floor or throw out Here's what I know:

• Interior is bad, going to need to be completely redone
• Dash is in good order
• Shifter missing (manual car)
• Engine missing
• Transmission missing
• 8 3/4 rear end it looks like
• Body is straight
• Rust in the usual places
• all the glass is good

Here's what I know on the engine

• 1969 2-barrel 383 out of a D100 Automatic pick up
• Rusted out freeze plugs
• Truck was parked for 9 years because the owner didn't have enough to register the car (TX registration)
• Oil leaks from valve covers, possibly oil pan

I figure building the 383 to around stock, perhaps adding a cam to it just above stock and an intake and carb. My concern has been the crankshaft. I'd like to get an A833 to mate up to the engine and am concerned the crank won't work because it doesn't/won't have the pilot bushing for the manual tranny. I've done a few builds before and am currently restoring my c-body and they've all had 440's with matching 727's so I've not encountered this. Am I blowing the crank issue out of proportion or am I right that I'll need a different crank if I want to go with the manual tranny? Thoughts and comments are appreciated as always.

 

if the engine was mated to an automatic all you will have to do is get a pilot bushing and tap it in the end of the crank

 

all of your steel cranks are already drilled out to accept a 4 speed/etc
just need the bushing.