318 Duster Rebuild - pros and cons of keeping matching numbers

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toolmanmike said:
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@Johnny Mac What do you guys have or rebuild services you could provide?
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Thanks for the shout out! I'm not going to pitch too hard, as unless @Ken71Twister is looking for 400+hp, we may not be his answer. We build a great engine, and have a great warranty, and dyno every engine, but if Ken isn't really looking for big power gains, seems he may just need a pan or valve cover gasket. Someone honest can run a compression check and put some fluorescent die in it, and determine its condition pretty easy. Happy to help if Ken is looking for some horsepower, but sounds like it runs great besides an oil leak, so hopefully someone local and honest can check it out. I would agree about the local part if he wants numbers matching...I would be scared of shipping my numbers block off.
 
Johnny Mac said:
Thanks for the shout out! I'm not going to pitch too hard, as unless @Ken71Twister is looking for 400+hp, we may not be his answer. We build a great engine, and have a great warranty, and dyno every engine, but if Ken isn't really looking for big power gains, seems he may just need a pan or valve cover gasket. Someone honest can run a compression check and put some fluorescent die in it, and determine its condition pretty easy. Happy to help if Ken is looking for some horsepower, but sounds like it runs great besides an oil leak, so hopefully someone local and honest can check it out. I would agree about the local part if he wants numbers matching...I would be scared of shipping my numbers block off.
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Thanks Jon.
 
Johnny Mac said:
Thanks for the shout out! I'm not going to pitch too hard, as unless @Ken71Twister is looking for 400+hp, we may not be his answer. We build a great engine, and have a great warranty, and dyno every engine, but if Ken isn't really looking for big power gains, seems he may just need a pan or valve cover gasket. Someone honest can run a compression check and put some fluorescent die in it, and determine its condition pretty easy. Happy to help if Ken is looking for some horsepower, but sounds like it runs great besides an oil leak, so hopefully someone local and honest can check it out. I would agree about the local part if he wants numbers matching...I would be scared of shipping my numbers block off.
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The 400+ hp would have been fun when I was 19 - but I might have killed myself with that much power under the hood. :). Back then - the main reason why I went with the 318 3-speed instead of a 340 4-speed was because of insurance cost. The purchase price was not that much more - less than $1000 more. Insurance doubled with the 340 4-speed. I was in college and couldn’t afford it. Wow - that would have been fun.
 
Ken71Twister said:
The engine runs great but it drips oil like crazy. It was rebuilt in about 1990 - approximately 70K miles ago. It has to come out for the restoration work and it only makes sense to me to spend the money necessary to get it fixed professionally while I’m already paying the labor to have it pulled and re-installed. I appreciate the advice and references…. I’ll continue to read additional posts and I will follow up on references provided.
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Hi Ken, this is Steve. I don't know if you remember meeting my wife and I in Destin a couple years ago when you were looking for some information on the value of your car. Just want to say that I'm really glad you still have it. I really think that car is rarer than most people think.
If I were you, once they pull the engine, I would put it on an engine stand and put a new gasket kit in it and new freeze plugs. Some fresh engine paint and you should be good to go for another 80,000. Engine doesn't leave your sight and you'll have much less time and money in invested in the project, keeping it all original.
Mission accomplished! Just my 2 cents worth.
Again, really glad you still have it. I haven't seen one like it in all the car shows I've been to.
 
And DON'T let anyone talk you into "junk that 318, you just HAVE TO go 360". That seems a common theme around here and it's bullshit. There's nothing wrong with the 318. KEEP IT
 
Ken71Twister said:
The engine runs great but it drips oil like crazy. It was rebuilt in about 1990 - approximately 70K miles ago. It has to come out for the restoration work and it only makes sense to me to spend the money necessary to get it fixed professionally while I’m already paying the labor to have it pulled and re-installed. I appreciate the advice and references…. I’ll continue to read additional posts and I will follow up on references provided.
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Do it yourself. Brass freeze plugs, double roller timing chain, polish the harmonic balancer hub and crankshaft rear seal diameter, new timing gasket and seals, oil pan and rear main seal, retorque head bolts, valve cover gaskets, and print-o-seal intake gaskets. Should be all you need for a good running engine to seal all the oil leaks.
 
Scamp Rhonda said:
Hi Ken, this is Steve. I don't know if you remember meeting my wife and I in Destin a couple years ago when you were looking for some information on the value of your car. Just want to say that I'm really glad you still have it. I really think that car is rarer than most people think.
If I were you, once they pull the engine, I would put it on an engine stand and put a new gasket kit in it and new freeze plugs. Some fresh engine paint and you should be good to go for another 80,000. Engine doesn't leave your sight and you'll have much less time and money in invested in the project, keeping it all original.
Mission accomplished! Just my 2 cents worth.
Again, really glad you still have it. I haven't seen one like it in all the car shows I've been to.
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Hi Steve - Good to hear from you. I’ve decided to stay with the car for the long run - my Son has expressed interest in having it eventually. I wimped out and took the car to a restoration shop that has a great reputation for beautiful cars and slow turnaround. I’m waiting to get contact info for a shop that just rebuilt a Barracuda engine for him. I’ve been advised to insist on an engine rebuild by someone that specializes in Mopar engines. I don’t expect to see my car for a long time - but I’m hoping that it will look and run a lot like it did when I drove it off the Chrysler lot in 1971. I’ve even purchased seat covers that are made from the original material. The car is currently being disassembled and stripped down to bare metal. After that - I’ll get the good or bad news about how much metal needs to be replaced. I already know that the firewall will be replaced. I’m also having AC and power steering added to the car. Engine and transmission will be rebuilt as deemed necessary.
 
Ken71Twister said:
Hi Steve - Good to hear from you. I’ve decided to stay with the car for the long run - my Son has expressed interest in having it eventually. I wimped out and took the car to a restoration shop that has a great reputation for beautiful cars and slow turnaround. I’m waiting to get contact info for a shop that just rebuilt a Barracuda engine for him. I’ve been advised to insist on an engine rebuild by someone that specializes in Mopar engines. I don’t expect to see my car for a long time - but I’m hoping that it will look and run a lot like it did when I drove it off the Chrysler lot in 1971. I’ve even purchased seat covers that are made from the original material. The car is currently being disassembled and stripped down to bare metal. After that - I’ll get the good or bad news about how much metal needs to be replaced. I already know that the firewall will be replaced. I’m also having AC and power steering added to the car. Engine and transmission will be rebuilt as deemed necessary.
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Good to know it's staying in the family. I'm sure it's going to look great when it's all done and be worth the wait. Keep us up to date on the progress. I'm sure many people here have interest in what's happening with a one owner car. Best of luck with it and take care.
 
Are you not capable of doing any of this project yourself? Whether it's time or ability or space?
I cringe at what it would cost to have to "have" everything done. I'm not asking to put anyone down, by any means. I don't cook hardly at all for instance. Im one of those that could "burn water".
 
I wish I did but I really don’t have what would be needed (skills, equipment, or space) to strip the car down and have major body parts replaced like the firewall. I also don’t feel qualified to rebuild an engine and install AC and power steering. I’ve pulled heads and have done the general stuff to keep the car tuned and running for 53 years - but I’m over my head with major work on an engine and transmission. I’ve been thru three sub-optimal paint jobs and look forward to getting a first class job done - including the engine bay painted and returning to the original Por-Red color. I could do some of the stuff - but I’d like to get the full job completed thru one shop before I’m too old to enjoy my car for a few more years.
 
If you can pull heads and replace them you can do the rest. Don't be afraid. If you don't feel comfortable opening a trans I get it but if you can pull it and take it to someone even that will save you a lot. Same with the engine. Pull it you can find a stand on CL or marketplace cheap, (or borrow one from a buddy) and clean up the engine yourself, if you can pull heads you can replace gaskets. You'd be saving yourself a ton. The cost to buy some basic tools would be cheaper than having it done for you you still have the tools.
 
it runs great and has been rebuilt...great!
Sounds like you need gaskets, a repaint, cosmetics and nice new small parts.
 
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