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OmegaMan

OmegaMan

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hi Guys, OmegaMan from the Northern Frontier .. I started in 1978 with a 67 Sport Fury and 1971 Dodge Charger SE.. That was in a Galaxy far far away.. Now i’m starting the journey with a 69 383 Roadrunner and 440 engine crammed into a 68 Dodge sedan..
My first question is, does the 383 Roadrunner engine actually have 440 heads? And hence you would have to apply a “440” manifold as an upgrade..
Just trying to get back in the game.. Just love the 68-70 Roadrunners.. OM
 
69hemibeep

69hemibeep

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Welcome aboard. Yes the same heads but the block is shorter so the heads are closer together thus the 440 intake won't fit.
 
OmegaMan

OmegaMan

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69hemibeep said:
Welcome aboard. Yes the same heads but the block is shorter so the heads are closer together thus the 440 intake won't fit.
Click to expand...

Hi Bob, was the 69 RR engine a 383 Edelbrock or was it special geometry (neither 440 or 383) to fit “short block” and the 440 heads? Inquiring minds want to know... Also, in the 70s this was a rumor that you just took a 383 engine and slapped on 440 heads (and a 440 manifold).. I just settled for a 383 4-barrel manifold ( replacing the 2 barrel) a awesome 4-barrel and a set of hooker headers.. The 71 Charger, Hush Thrush in all, heavy as it was, still got up and “went” ... Thank you
 
RonLiv

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Does this help:
"The 68-69 383HP engine was available on the Roadrunner. It had a number of high-performance 440 parts . It received the recontoured 440 heads with larger exhaust valves of 1.74". Heavy duty valve springs and rocker arms were also installed and shared the same camshaft as the 440. This engine had a new dual-plane intake manifold with a Carter AVS 4-bbl carburetor."
 
69hemibeep

69hemibeep

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"B" block was the 383 and 400. "RB" was 413, 426 and 440. They shared heads and some internals but not intake manifolds.
 
OmegaMan

OmegaMan

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Group, thank you for the welcome.. The RR is going to have a lot of pieces (including RR 383) removed, marked, and bagged.. The 383 and 440 have yet to be tested. The current (previous) owner knows nothing of their history, other than the man working on them who passed on.. If the 440 tests out good, it will be tighten up for use in the 69 RR.. The car itself.. It’s a mess, but it will be worked throughly.. Car doesn’t need to be “pretty” right away.. The diplomats just want a car that is safe ( at least 13” discs around, and full of acceleration.. They have read of our muscle car days and want to experience it traveling the United States.. I have until 2022 to get him/her ready.. No name for him/her yet.. Stay tune... ❤️ OM
 
Rich B

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The exhaust manifolds were supposed to be identical though between 383-440. Just one other thing, may want to rebuild with tighter piston rings clearances. The 383 anyways was made to run hard all the time and for rings to expand. If driven like normal car most of the time and then floored out they’ll burn oil like crazy until oil control with heat expansion of motor parts. But no smog stuff PCV valve only; least that’s how it was in 60’s-70’s. Oh too, oil not all that, 50 years back.
 
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