The old (383) and the new ('68 440) sitting in the shop.


I was alone so I had to drag the 440 about 10 feet to the chain hoist so I could get the stand off it and get it set on a pallet with blocks under the motor. I left the chain hoist hooked up with just enough tension on it to make me feel safe.


Here is the motor, Hughes converter and blue 727. Address any complaints about the blue trans to Pete Tritak. He did it and who was I to argue?

Did the old converter trick with the wrench. Worked like a charm.


Working by myself I was able to get it all settled in rather easilly.

I also installed the oil pressure sender for the idiot light. Installed the DB Electrical mini-starter. Put new grade 8 exhaust studs in for the headers and mocked them up. New motor mounts with the old mount brackets off the 383 since they were real nice.

I also took out the remaining heater fitting using the bolt and mongo pipe wrech method.

I replaced the heater fittings with plugs.

The orange and blue look good.

Are those the headman shorty headers?
What part of north jersey are you from, i'm in Essex county.

Cool project ! Keep us updated with progress & pics ! Love the B-body wagons !!!

Makes me miss my wagons..

Getting it wrapped up for engine bay paint. It ain't no resto so we are going medieval.



And the Milodon dipstick works perfectly with the shorty headers.

So today, I got the engine bay primed. That cheap a$$ Harbor Freight gun shot the primer perfect.



That piece of crap gave us hell with the color though. LOL It came out pretty good to me. I know it is not perfect, but I was not going for perfection. Just a decent looking engine compartment.

car looks awesome!!!!

scott-any chance you may need a quart of sassy grass base coat clearcoat? i have a brand new quart i am getting rid of. let me know. mike lundin12@comcast.net

still looks good. i have a box full of wiper motors. you are more than welcome to come and see if you can use any of them. i am certain a few of them were from 68-69 b-bodies.

Got a bunch more done today. Got the radiator back. Put the horns in. Carb, coil, battery box, alernator, hooked up the starter. Kickdown cable hooked up at trans. Started to run the new engine wiring harness, etc.

Looking really good!

looks killer!