The Dodge Challenger Message Board

WELL LAST NIGHT WAS NOT A GOOD NIGHT. FOOLING AROUND ON ONE OF THE BACK ROADS I FLOORED THE BIG BLOCK 383 CHALLENGER AND THE TIRES WENT UP IN SMOKE AND THEN "*BING*BING*BING*CLUNK*CLUNK*CLUNK*" OH NO THIS IS NOT GOOD. AS I OPEN MY HOOD WHITE SMOKE IS POURING OUT THE EXHAUST. I LOOK DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE BLOCK AND THERE IS A HOLE THE SIZE OF A TENNIS BALL. WHAT LUCK ,THREW A ROD. IM 17 YEARS OLD AND MAKE 150$ A WEEK. WHAT DO YOU GUYS SUGGEST DOING? FIND ANOTHER 383 BLOCK, OR HOW ABOUT A 440?I KNOW WHERE THERE IS A 440 BLOCK AND HEADS FOR A 150$ ,AND A RUNNING 383 FOR 200$. WILL MY HEADS WORK ON A 440? IM TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH THE BEST MONEY/VALUE COMBO. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN THIS SITUATION?THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. NICK

OH AND THE REASON I THREW THE ROD WAS BECUASE I OVER REVED MY MOTOR , ( BASICALLY FREE SPINNING IT BECUASE MY TIRES WERE SPINNING ) MOTOR WILL BE OUT TOMMROW, NOW COMES THE FUN PART OPENING HER UP!

Well repairing the engine you have is out of the question although some of your parts my be good spares.

383 and 440 heads were the same from about 1968? on so no worries there. If money is short just fit the engine that is going to take the least money to get you going again.

And fit a rev counter.

And learn how to use it or fit a rev limiter.

And DON'T WRITE IN CAPITALS!

It is really sad when something like this happens. I hope you get it sorted out real soon. Good luck.

First of all, OK so bad things happen sometimes. Look at what's good. You've got a car with a big block and you're 17. What a great start! Don't give up on school, as you'll use some of that stuff later, so dig in and hang on.

Point two, get a better job to improve what you're making (as long as it doesn't interfer with school). With your background already, you can probably improve dramatically by looking for a job using your car skills. Some small shop could use an intern, or even a new car dealer could use a lot kid with other duties. Depending on the situation, some dealers could even pay for an education for you to be a tech. Then, use the place where you work as a springboard to fix your car as you like. You'll be around other guys who will want to help you accomplish your goals!

Point three, you aren't the first or last this kind of stuff happens to. My cousin did the same thing in 1974 to his '68 Road Runner. He ended up swapping around and ended up better.

Sorry it happened, but it potentially could be the best thing that happened based on what could come from this! All this from what you would consider an old fart, as I was just a little older than you when your car was new!

And, as Dave said, writing in caps is LIKE SHOUTING. Bad form.

NOTE all you broke readers out there dont go reving the crap outa your motor and think it will change your life.