318 Duster Rebuild - pros and cons of keeping matching numbers

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Ken71Twister

Ken71Twister

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
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Location
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My 71 Duster goes to the shop tomorrow for a fairly extensive restoration. I’ve had this car since new and I know that all major components are still matching numbers. My question is - does it really matter if I keep matching numbers or should I pursue the best solution for the engine, transmission, and steering set-up? I currently plan to have the engine rebuilt - but the shop guy says I might have a better engine if I get a new one.

I’m not trying for more performance - just a car that is much like my original new Duster.

Thoughts?
 
I believe you answered your own question, keep it stock if you're not chasing performance. 65
 
Not getting good vibes vs local engine rebuilders. What might it cost to ship my existing block to a reputable company that could return it as a remanufactured engine?
 
Remember there only original/survivors once. Shipping varies depending on how far it is. Fastenal could give you a quote. Make sure you let the rebuilder know you want YOUR engine rebuilt/returned to you. Alot of remanufactured engine shops just exchange them. Document/photo anything you send. 65
 
Ken71Twister said:
My 71 Duster goes to the shop tomorrow for a fairly extensive restoration. I’ve had this car since new and I know that all major components are still matching numbers. My question is - does it really matter if I keep matching numbers or should I pursue the best solution for the engine, transmission, and steering set-up? I currently plan to have the engine rebuilt - but the shop guy says I might have a better engine if I get a new one.

I’m not trying for more performance - just a car that is much like my original new Duster.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I'm trying to wrap my head around your shop guy saying it'll be a better engine if you get a new one... There are no "new ones". What you'll get is a different engine that has been rebuilt, just like you want to do to your existing engine. Keep hunting to find a good rebuilder- talk to people at shows and members of local clubs to see who they recommend (or say to avoid!). There are good shops out there- but you may have to wait a bit in line once you find them- but that can also be considered a good sign, since their work is obviously in demand.
 
Next question is which company out there has a good reputation for remanufacturing an engine. I just called a company called Jasper and got a quote - but then I looked at their ratings and they didn’t get good ratings from the Better Business Bureau.
 
Keep your original engine, have it rebuilt by a reputable mopar oriented shop. (Hint Hint)
 
Ken71Twister said:
Next question is which company out there has a good reputation for remanufacturing an engine. I just called a company called Jasper and got a quote - but then I looked at their ratings and they didn’t get good ratings from the Better Business Bureau.
Click to expand...
You dont want a "mass rebuilder" like jasper, you want a one man shop who knows mopars
 
Hmmm. I’ve heard of such a person in Pensacola FL. I’ll have to look to see if I can find his contact info. He doesn’t pull engines - but I now have the opportunity to have it pulled as part of the upcoming restoration work.
 
I would never send it out . If you cannot drive it there meet the person and see the shop wait until you find a local shop you can trust. I heard to many horror stories on sending engines to get rebuilt.

You don't know if they are honest on what they find or what they have done. Seen so many rattle can rebuilds. You also want to hear it run on a run stand or Dyno. before paying for the job. If they find problems you can go look at what they discovered.

I had a A shop do a very expensive engine years ago. This is what I got back after start up in the car. I never got to back it out of the garage

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I agree with everyone, keep you original. You will be glad of it one day. Not only will it help the value but you know what you are starting with. Look for local Mopar clubs and see if they have any recommendations
 
Unless you have a good local shop I'd be super wary of sending an engine off somewhere to be rebuilt. Maybe consider keeping your original engine stored away and put a crate magnum in its place. Looks like ATK will sell you a 350HP 360 for $4,100.00 ATK HP113 Chrysler 360 Magnum Engine 350HP I really doubt you could get your 318 rebuilt for less and if you did it still wont have 350HP.
 
www.forabodiesonly.com

BluePrint Engines

BluePrint Engines builds high-performance crate engine to replace your tired old factory engine! These crate engines are high-performance drop-in engines, sometimes called stroker engines or stroker motors. In all cases, these engines offer substantially more horsepower than the factory original.
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@Johnny Mac What do you guys have or rebuild services you could provide?
 
Ken71Twister said:
My 71 Duster goes to the shop tomorrow for a fairly extensive restoration. I’ve had this car since new and I know that all major components are still matching numbers. My question is - does it really matter if I keep matching numbers or should I pursue the best solution for the engine, transmission, and steering set-up? I currently plan to have the engine rebuilt - but the shop guy says I might have a better engine if I get a new one.

I’m not trying for more performance - just a car that is much like my original new Duster.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Dont let guys talk you into the rabbit hole of crate motors, strokers ect. Rebuild the original engine, and put the car back like it was when it was new, that's what you said you were after.
 
i'm not one for numbers matching etc, etc, unless the car is something rare (340/4spd, big block, et al) but from my understanding you've already got a serviceable engine and it goes with the car. i'd send that out and have it rebuilt with some minor improvements and updates: a small cam, better pistons & ring pack, good bearings, updated valve guides and seals. things of that nature.

i'd contact @replicaracer43 he's not *that* far from you and intimately knowledgeable about mopar motors. not only that, he's very professional and a stand up dude. he's not going to try and sell you some raced up motor you don't want or need.
 
What's wrong with the engine ?
I'm just tearing down my grandsons 273, original std 67 bearings, rope main seal, no oil consumption, other than black yukky rocker arms, I shoulda left it alone.
Just wondering if leaving it alone is viable ?
"New" engine suggestion is concerning .
My 69 I bought new, wouldn't be #s matching without 3 sleeves over the years
 
Last edited:
Inertia said:
What's wrong with the engine ?
I'm just tearing down my grandsons 273, original std 67 bearings, rope main seal, no oil consumption, other than black yukky rocker arms, I shoulda left it alone.
Just wondering if leaving it alone is viable ?
"New" engine suggestion is concerning .
My 69 I bought new, wouldn't be #s matching without 3 sleeves over the years
Click to expand...
Maybe a little home refresh...?..
I've took something like this and (while other work is being done..) pulled it apart and inspect everything.. New gaskets and seals, new timing chain, pull the heads apart and drop them off to be tanked and milled a bit... lap the valves and put new seals in....
***If the budget can withstand a cheap summit cam & lifters***
Maybe a new oil pump...
Clean and paint...
 
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.
 
If it runs good and doesn't use oil it might just need seals replaced. I would never swap an engine out on a car like you have. There has to be someone around you that can do a simple reseal. Might be just a main seal, front crank seal, valve cover gaskets. I wish you where close I'd take of it for you. Keep looking.
 
Professor Fate said:
I'm trying to wrap my head around your shop guy saying it'll be a better engine if you get a new one... There are no "new ones". What you'll get is a different engine that has been rebuilt, just like you want to do to your existing engine. Keep hunting to find a good rebuilder- talk to people at shows and members of local clubs to see who they recommend (or say to avoid!). There are good shops out there- but you may have to wait a bit in line once you find them- but that can also be considered a good sign, since their work is obviously in demand.
Click to expand...
He's exactly right. I just got the call yesterday that I'll be getting my 65 Barracuda into the shop rebuilding my engine later this week. I waited four months. Good shops will have a waiting line.
 
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