I have an authentic 70 V code plumb crazy challenger that I am restoring. I do NOT have the original motor but I do have three choices to go with, and would like opinions as to which you would use.

I have a "right from the engine builder", high end professionally built, 1972, 440 motor. Steel crank, .030 performance piston 9.6/1, comp hyd roller cam, indy heads, Edelbrock 6 pack manifold, new holley 6 pack carbs, MSD dist - all assembled and ready to drop in. I am not sure if I will have the clearance under the hood with the highrise intake.

I also have a running 68 440 motor with the 70 stock six pack intake and rebuilt 1970 date coded holley carbs. The internals on the motor are unknown.

My third choice is a 1970 440 block with steel crank and all the six pack internals (rods, harmonic, etc.) but it needs to be gone through and built.

Your thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated

It'll never be numbers matching with what you've got, so why not put the ready to run engine in and enjoy? If you have hood clearance problems (you shouldn't) then install the intake from the other engine.

This whole thought that an engine NEAR the SPD is worth more than any other same-size engine doesn't make any sense to me. The guys who care about matching numbers won't look at it either way and the rest of the world doesn't care.

Third choice (needs to be gone through motor)

Go with the already done motor. You're not the first guy to ever put a 6-pack into a challenger. I bet it will fit fine.

I'd go with option 3 as then You could watch the motor being rebuilt. Option one is fine IF you can trust the "builder"

My 2 cents

Thanks Terzmo. As a matter of fact I DO trust the builder. He has built MANY motors for me and they are all great. I DID realize that the choices may be narrowed. The Challenger that this is going in to has the stock hood and the highrise manifold will probably NOT fit. This may be a big factor for going with option 3.