Joined: Fri Nov 25 2005, 05:01PM
Location: Leduc, Alberta
Posts: 38
Well, I decided to finally bite the bullet and get the 383 rebuilt in my 68 Newport conv., it was starting to blow oil and get pretty sluggish. The price for the full rebuild was looking a little high, but not too bad, when the guy I am dealing with tells me that he happens to have a hipo 440 engine that he just finished building, 10:1 compression, hardened valve seats, and all the good go fast stuff.
Well, long story short, I am going to swap to the 440, painted the correct turquoise to look stock, but converted to electronic ignition, get the tranny rebuilt with a new, higher stall converter and shift kit, and a new dual exhaust installed, for not much more than the 383 rebuild was going to cost, and he is going to store my 383 at his shop for me, in case I decide to restore the car to stock.
I can hardly wait for spring now, so I can start driving the rejuvented car. I am thinking of calling it the Frankenewport. The only problem I can see is that now I am going to get the interior and top rebuilt, and get the car painted, which will not be cheap. I have also decided to swap in a 68 300 front clip (I have always loved the hidaway headlights on the 68 300).
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 01:49PM
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 421
I'd be very cautious about leaving my stuff at a machine shop for "storage" for very long.
I've had friends who have had heads and steel cranks dissappear, not to mention your numbers matching untouched block replaced by something that might just not be as virgin.
This was in Edmonton btw so just a heads up.
If hes on the up and up, sounds like a good deal. Any more specifics on the 440?
Joined: Fri Nov 25 2005, 05:01PM
Location: Leduc, Alberta
Posts: 38
Yea, sportfury 440, that would normally be a bit of a concern, however, I am not to worried about the engine going missing, it is Bob Lepak's shop. If I can't trust him, I can't trust anybody. By the way, do you ever get back to Edmonton at all, I miss that car of yours.
Joined: Fri Nov 25 2005, 05:01PM
Location: Leduc, Alberta
Posts: 38
Actually, I have an entire 300 2 door parts car, minus engine and tranny, I can have for $500, or the entire front clip off my pick of four 300's for $300 (note, canadian dollars). And that is no rust or serious dents, and includes everything I need from the firewall forward, including lights, wiring. etc. My only cost aside from that is the painting. And while I agree it will affect the value of the car, first off it isn't worth all that much in the first place, and I can always flip the original front back on. that is why I am not going to do the rear end, that would require welding. Any changes I make will be strictly bolt on.
Joined: Mon Oct 10 2005, 02:31PM
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 18
Hey Roborat, I say GO FOR IT! (sounds like yer gonna anyway LOL) I used to own a 68 Newport that, (had I kept it) would have recieved a 68 300 grill. As has already been stated, It's your car so build her the way ya want her! It sounds like a great project, good luck & let us know when she's back on the road! <span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Wed Dec 07 2005, 01:01AM ]</span>