The Dodge Challenger Message Board

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.

Hi and welcome to the board!
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

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.

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.

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