Hi, i just bought a 71' Cuda origional S Code. It has all matching numbers. I wanted to get everyones input on what i should do about the engine. Im not sure if i should rebuild the original and stick it back in, or purchase a seperate engine and save the original. Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

 

Welcome to the forum, What is the 5th digit(engine code) in the VIN? Any pics of the car?

 

Save the original engine, drop something fun in it, and drive the heck out of it.

 

the 5th didgit engine code is H. BS23H1B
attached are the pictures of when i first got it. and the pictures after paint.

 

 

71 'cuda, why the repaint? It look beautiful before!! Engine's a 340,if it's the original engine,I would pull it and save it! Is this going to be a show car or just a cruiser?

john

 

Yeah i liked it before also, but it needed a ton of rust repair. Its going to be a cruiser. I f i save it do you have any suggestions on what i put in its place?

 

hmm 318 are every where dime a dozen 340 are hard to come upon kind of expensive and 440 you can get for aound 1000 or so but your talking about somthing that needs to be rebuilt.

 

so what are 340's going for? I am looking to put something in thats very dependable, dont need a lot of torque or anything but i do want it to have some pickup.

 

Get a 360 stroker motor if it's in the budget

 

360 stroker......why??

 

There's no substitute for CI and Torque

 

yeah,just shop around for a rebuilt 340-360,check you local machine shops.

 

I would put in a 360 LA, just to cruise and put my money into the 340 if the block is good. Stay small for the weight and handling benefits.

 

Why not just rebuild the original 340 and drive it? You can always keep rebuilding if you really need to.

 

Stay with what you have If the motor is not smoking and has good compresion why rebuild. RUN IT MAN !!!

 

I would keep the 340 you have in it and not touch a thing if there isnt anything wrong with it maybe just a carb rebuild and good set of headers

 

id hop up the 340 long as u dont put a rod through the block should be good. I have an original 340 for my duster thing runs like a raped ape and is pretty dependable, but its up to you even 383's are pretty good too.