72 challenger engines

by **Lodi72Challenger** » 04 Dec 2004 5:50

Hello all, this is my first post here. Im 15 years old and i am buying a 72 challenger as my first car with a 318 in it but it also comes with a 383 that dosnt run and needs to be "rebuild". now heres the catch, i don't understand how engines work, the termenology, the parts or anything. Im a pretty bright kid and learn fast anyone have suggestions as to what to do in the engine department? I have about 5 grand to spend on the engine alone. Thanks for your time.

also does anybody know of any online articles/books that cover engine basics? thanks again.

by **Chrippa** » 04 Dec 2004 11:07

Hi and welcome to the board! :s025:

I myself have "How To rebuild big-block mopar engines" written by Don Taylor. The book covers how to do a restoration of 383 to 440. Of what i heard the book about small-blocks by the same author is more basic , so maybe go for both ?

Good luck and put some pics of the car on the board!!

Cheers //Chrippa

by **Lodi72Challenger** » 04 Dec 2004 16:20

Thank you for the fast reply.

i will put some pictures up soon as my friend can help me take pictures. I bought the challenger for 3 grand in running condition but needing lots of body work (thankfully i know how to do this) to restore for my first car.

by **dave-r** » 05 Dec 2004 10:58

That Don Taylor book is good. Don't get pulled into doing any 'performance' changes until you have started to understand how a stock engine goes together and works.

For a bright kid like yourself the best option is to read. Have a good look through the 'engine' section on here. You might just pick up one or two things from that. Try the bit I wrote on 'horsepower theory' in that engine section if you want to understand the 'science bit'.

Good luck and don't be shy to ask anything.

by **Chrippa** » 05 Dec 2004 14:38

Lodi72Challenger wrote:Thank you for the fast reply. i will put some pictures up soon as my friend can help me take pictures. I bought the challenger for 3 grand in running condition but needing lots of body work (thankfully i know how to do this) to restore for my first car.

Nice to have a Challenger as first car

Hope everything goes well for you! Good luck !

//Chrippa

thanks

Re: thanks