Should I Put A 426 Hemi In My 1968 Dodge Charger?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- Today on Dead Dodge Garage, it’s decision time. Do I ruin my perfectly good 383 car by spending a bunch of money to put a Mopar Performance 426 Hemi in it? It seems like a fun idea, not necessarily a good one.
@rocketresto
Build the Hemi if only for informative content, but keep the 383 in your Charger.
Yes. Keep 383 in your Charger and send me the 426 hemi to
my 69 Charger 😂😂😂✌🏼
@@avtomatkalashnikova9388 I was thinking he could drop it in my 2015 Charger lol
My 71 Bee is completely happy with it's original 383. Easily driveable,power when you need it, and decent gas mileage to boot.
Exactly. It’s such a good combination. I love the car as it is and feel like I would definitely be making it worse. But it would have a Hemi… haha.
Hell yes!!! Like Mel Brooks said, “If you’re going to go up to the bell, you might as well ring it.”
You can always swap it back out later for even more channel content. But a Hemi powered ‘68 Charger? That’s the dream 99.9% of us will NEVER get to experience. Show us what we’re missing. Please!
Cool, I bought a 1968 charger back in the late 90’s, I wanted a r/t and settled for a base model 383 4BL 727. On doing research on the car I found out it’s not to much difference except the cubic inches and about $15,000 so I figured I’d be into it for a lot of money in the long run so I thought $6,000 was a better starting point. I drove it for a few years and started restoring it in about 2003, and got about 1/3 of the way and my health and work took priority and now waiting on a restoration shop to finish it and I’m in the cue. It’s is all original except the carb was replaced Carter ABS I think if I remember right that I read was a maybe warranty replacement or they didn’t like the performance. I found two correct AVS for a 1968 and one for a 440. I’m putting back together as close to factory. It’s QQ1 bright metallic blue with blue interior and white vinyl top. Have trans and engine rebuilt already and seats and dash and upper door pads and all the parts, I can wait! Although I dread packing up all the stuff to go to the shop. I’m in there area you are kid of, snoqualmie Washington. Love your vids
That’s awesome! I hope all goes well and you’ve got a whole car soon! Mine has some rust bubbles that worry me a bit. I’m going to leave it alone for as long as possible. If I took mine apart, well… it would probably be longer than 20 years until it went back together.
I could never, ever afford a real Hemi car. Although on the other hand, I didn’t think I could ever afford a nice Charger, and I somehow pulled that off… I really love the 383. It’s such a great package. Mine is a 2 barrel car which has been swapped to 4 barrel. I accept that. I actually scored a correct air cleaner and correct valve covers from work. Pretty excited to do a stock appearance refresh in the engine compartment some time this winter, assuming the 383 stays put…
Build the hemi for sure. I'd consider other options for installation though, I'm sure you have them. Stay safe.
I had a Hemi Road Runner years ago and I loved that car. Probably the tightest Mopar I ever owned. I do remember that I was always working on it. I had a 383 GTS at the same time that just kept running and never gave me any trouble. I loved that car, too.
Keep the 68 Charger as is, It’s reliable and Beautiful maybe later down the road if something happens to the current engine 😁
Put it in the power wagon , then it will really live up to its name 🤔 and then maybe you’ll get round to finishing it 😂🇬🇧
Ok here is my take on this. One I have a 440 six pac 70 and went and bought another 70 for my hemi car. But then I had to have a blower. So leave old red to drive and find a shell for the hemi. Not just any shell a charger!
He does have a '69 Charger with no engine... 😂
I love your videos sitting in a tire shop getting a flat fixed on a corolla. Come to think of it it don’t say hemi on it. 😂
I’m shopping for a Corolla myself! 🤣
Yes you should! How could there be any doubt? An iconic HEMI in an iconic car! Of course.
In 83, I had a V code 70 R/T. Motor and tranny gone, built 383 w hemi 4speed. That thing got down the road. At 57, I'm very practical now and double digit mpg is sweet. I only got 8 with my 383 and a 390 rear gear. Dude, what a toss up. Build it though, you got the goods
I’m getting low teens with my 383 automatic. I’d like to get closer to twenty… I really love driving the car everywhere when possible, but in today’s world that hurts. I may consider an overdrive transmission at some point, among other things.
Document the build and it would be nice to have a Hemi powerplant around. Then document the interchangeable options of MOPAR big blocks from "B" body to "B" body. Make sure the Charger has the gusseted forward leaf spring mounts for Hemi torque.😉
I like the column shifter. They have such a positive feel to them. I'd put the 426 in with an overdrive. You can save the original 383 for the next caretaker.
I had a 67 Dodge Coronet 440. If I had the means to put in a HEMI, I would. Including the torque boxes.
Unfortunately someone yanked out the original 383 two barrel and "alleged" 727 prototype tranny. By the time I owned it, it had a 318 and 904 out of a van. I only paid a dollar and breakfast at McDonald's for it. Best deal ever for a first car!!!
Absolutely!! And a four speed!!
I would find another car to swap it into and leave the charger as is.
This is mostly what I’m thinking. Charger is so good as it is. There is a ‘64 post car just sitting there… period drag car? I like this idea quite a bit. But I’m already building a Barracuda in that style.
That's one of my dream cars right there...Anyway, I'd say that if you want the charger to remain a "daily driver", I'd stray away from the Hemi as it is not really a daily driver kind of engine lol. In that case, the 383 should stay as the B series big blocks are great engines! I love the 400 in my short bed D100. However, if you want a drag car or a wild street machine, then I say HEMI.
Man thats a tough call. The Hemi dose have the mega COOL factor to it but i think i would keep the 383 in the Charger it's a good solid driver and the 383 is a good motor and will get up and go. So i would build the Hemi for something else. But either way you go i can't wait to see what you do with the Hemi.
Definitely the way I am leaning. The darn Charger is just so good how it is. Now, if it blew up or something… that would be a great excuse.
@@DeadDodgeGarage Yeah I agree if something happen to the 383 then i say go for it.
It will match mine from 383 to the 426 Hemi. Don't forget to extend the oil pan for more oil capacity. If you won't people to stop in there tracks put the hemi in.
Damn. Looks like I'm a year late to this party,...?
Have you already decided and created a home for that 426? I mean. If you haven't, the answer seems crystal clear to me, my Mopar-loving brother;
MY THOUGHTS:
You've already meticulously gathered A-Body parts and A-Body parts cars, AND you have done a bunch of the prep work already:..
----->>> To build yourself an AMAZING 426 HEMI BARRACUDA!
I like where your head’s at. Haha. But unfortunately Tom sold the block not long after this was made 😭
It's gotta go in the charger. Damn straight, I'd build a 426 if I had spare parts laying around.
Just found your channel today.. You think the algorithm would help me find you right away... All I look at is dodge plymouth chrysler fargo imperial... I have to say without a doubt. This is some of the greatest Hemi Porn i've ever seen.. Revealing the parts one at a Time!!😂🤣.. Awesome think i'm gonna check out the ram charger one next🤔
I personally thought it was a fun idea. Haha. Glad you made it here! Welcome aboard.
Sounds like a cool project, good looking Charger and good looking classic Hemi.
First you must find...another shrubbery... before swapping for the hemi.
Got me smilin' throughout your vids but the Python quotes in this one got me hooked. Sub'd
🤣 we will say NEE to you again if you do not appease us!
Thanks for watching!
Wouldn't do it for a daily driver but would absolutely do it for a weekend cruiser.
By all means do it!!!life is short.....it is all about goodfeel and fun!!!
If you put the Hemi in it, it will pass everything but a gas station! I heard from my sister in the USA recently that gas got to $7 a gallon - if it goes there again, that's nearly a dollar a mile! Hope money grows on trees where you live! Cheers from New Zealand!
I’m paying around $5.20 a gallon for diesel. Gas is considerably cheaper… so maybe I’d be money ahead with the hemi. 😅
I'd slowly and carefully put together the 426 Hemi and then get everything you need for the swap.
THEN , think about it. I would only prioritize getting the Hemi built since you have most of the parts anyway.
Hemi in Charger? No. Hemi in 64 Fury 2 door post? HELL YEAH!
I like where your head’s at!
Do it! I could have put a 68 hemi in mine ten years ago. Wish I would have!
Hemi for sure. You can always put that 383 back in later. 😎
The red blaster 2 coils like to die when mounted sideways. MSD has a black solid coil that works sideways. Also do the hemi! We grabbed that D60 from Tom for our ‘68 charger 572 18spline build.
Oh yeah, awesome! Not sure if it was you that picked it up, but I was definitely telling whoever did about this car. Haha.
I haven’t heard that about the Blaster 2 before. People on various groups online like to reprimand others for mounting their coils sideways because they think they will fail, apparently unaware that at least Chrysler did so from the factory for many, many years. I usually prefer to leave them in the factory position, but this one came to me as it is. It has been that way for several years at least. I am likely removing the MSD system from the car anyway.
Unfortunately Tom sold the Hemi block. It turned out to be worth a lot more than I could pay. I hope to find another complete 426 at some point in the future.
My old man was the one who picked up the D60 (and a 340 awhile ago) from Tom.
On the blaster 2 I haven’t had any fail since I started mounting them upright but when done sideways some (not all) would give issue. When MSD came out with the ones you can mount in the factory location I went to those when I could to utilize the factory brackets instead of making more holes. (And haven’t had any issues)
What ignition are you planning on using? The new orange boxes aren’t what they once were and we have seen on the dyno the MSD make measurable improvements over the orange boxes. That being said I still have orange boxes on some of our cars that are less performance oriented.
@@rosshud6132 Ahh, gotcha. Awesome.I haven't gotten that far in my figuring. When I want a basic electronic system, I go for an HEI module instead of a Mopar box. On this car, I would hide it somewhere as I don't want to see it (which would be the main reason for pulling the MSD - that, and I could really use it on my other drag car project...) It's that, or a points distributor. I am not at all concerned about giving up a few horsepower on this deal. It's a cruiser, and I don't have aspirations to make it anything beyond that. I don't know what the PO was thinking installing the MSD and a 4.30 gear. It makes no sense. Again, my eventual hope here is to have a stock appearing engine compartment (minus the intake and carb - technically it's a 2bbl car so that's all wrong anyway.)
In the early 70s I had several school mates that had Hemi Chargers and they were always nothing but a giant pain in the ass and would never keep a tune.
Your charger is beautiful as it is. Love the white top and interior, but if you insist on doing the gas station circuit, why not get rid of the column shifter and put in a 4 on the floor too? Build the hemi, keep the 383. Im jealous enough already.
I like the way you think. The truth is I love the car how it is, and ended up not buying hemi stuff anyway. I am on the lookout for another project hemi - and another car to put it in.
And this is exceptionally exciting, tell us more Jamie 😊
I never bought the engine, Tom sold the block like two weeks after I made this video 😭
I would definitely put the Hemi in the 68 Charger! I wouldn't put the Hemi badges on the doors though, I always thought they took away from the beautiful lines on the doors of the 68! But if it were mine I'd definitely have to put the Hemi in the Charger! And I'd dress it out with stock parts and air cleaner with the reproduction exaust manifolds!
That would be the plan! It would be as close to a stock appearing installation as I could possibly get. I love the lines as they are. Love the plain look. But I also love hemi badges… see? Decisions are hard.
@@DeadDodgeGarage Yep, I'm the same way, if I were you and installed the door badges, I'd go all the way and put the R/T badges on it also!👍
Jamie leave it alone keep the 68 stock you'll find some other really nice car to put a hemi in so enjoy the charger as it is
I am! I’ve been driving it every day lately. This is definitely the way I am leaning.
Those pistons are some beauties 😍
That is a hard choice! I'd put it in something to party in, personally. Something lest expected. Charger is too nice as is IMO. I don't like headaches though.
Agreed. That’s basically the decision I made. Unfortunately the Hemi block also sold to someone else, so I’m keeping my eyes out for another (ideally complete) engine.
I would keep the engine in it that it has right now but your choice
I like the 68 the way it is!
Dude, you only live once. Since you’ve been blessed with the parts, Build it and put it in your charger! You’ll only regret it if you don’t do it
Absolutely yes!
If the gas gauge works you are out of gas. Get gas then swap in the hemi.
My dream since I was a kid has always been to have 426 hemi. I have a 440 in my charger. Love my 440. I think wouldn’t it b great to have a 426. No brainer to me
Don't just drop a Hemi under the hood. Gotta change the drive line, the differential gears and brakes. The 426 hemi is a brutally powerful engine. Almost 500 lbs. of torque. 425 GROSS horsepower.
Hemis with automatics came stock with 8 3/4 axles, and Hemi cars came stock with 11” drum brakes 😁
@@DeadDodgeGarage I read somewhere that hemi cars came standard with Dana rear axle to handle the extra horsepower.
Nope , I like 383 but love a 440 or go totally retro with the hemi from the 30 s ? Thanks for letting me express myself . Enjoying your channel. Your a cool Old car Guy whom I enjoy . Stay safe .
There are some Hemi cars out there that need that. Hemi ,more than one Mopar is not to many
I put a 440 in my 68 Charger then missed having the 318.
Now I miss my Charger after having it for 32 years and then someone stole it.
Wow. That’s nuts… I love the 383 in my car. I wouldn’t have minded a 318 either. Heck, it could have been a slant six and I would’ve loved it. The hemi is definitely not necessary… but it’s cool
you have my dream car 68 and a hemi plus anything mopar in 68 is my favorite because of the 1 year round side marker lights. So yeah i would do it because what you have in your hands right there is a engine some of us will unfortunately never own because of how rare they are now and they’re as much as buying a whole car now.
I actually didn’t buy the engine, for exactly why you say. He ended up selling the bare block alone for much more than I wanted to pay for it. One will come my way eventually. I can be patient. Haha.
@@DeadDodgeGarage yeah man I’ve seen them long blocks go for 20k. But yeah one day it will show up. But like you said in the video 383 is a good engine. B engines and LA engines are underrated no one talks about them. All everyone wants is either a 440 or 426 hemi which i love, i own a 440 car but i also like the other engines because they’re strong and can make good power.
@@Anthony12valve440RB my entire thing in life is the engines that no one else cares much about. Slant sixes? Good. B engines? Great. LA engines?! Pure gold - my favorite engines in the known universe, and something you'll see all the time on my channel. I love Hemis and 440s as much as the next guy - but I love the ones that are cheap and easy to get ahold of even more.
Or, you could sell all those expensive hemi parts and make the 383 quite a bit more exciting.
Honestly, the 383 is plenty exciting as it is (for a driver.) The car has 3.23 gears now and it will roast the 295s on command without hesitation. I’m flying through my daily commute and passing anyone that gets in my way. It’s just a happy combination. More cam means more stall means worse street manners and worse mileage. Boost brings a whole bunch of other problems. I don’t want to ruin the car with headers. If I could do anything I wanted to the 383… I wouldn’t. Also, I haven’t bought the hemi stuff yet 😅 but it’s an option. The reason to put a Hemi in the car would be because it’s a Hemi. It would be awesome. But also worse.
@@DeadDodgeGarage
Oh, the frustrations owning a beautiful 68 Charger have caused, LOL!
I mean,if you have a extra Hemi just laying around...but yeah 383.
Absolutely
sounds like your happy with your 383. Keep the Hemi ready on the side
Build hemi, but keep 383 in charger… nothing better than having the hemi sitting there ready to go. You’ll ‘know’ when the time is right and exactly what it should go in!
there's a reason they call it the ELEPHANT... 700Lbs all up>
that said, the 440 is a better day to day motor
The hemi is a must have with dual quads. Id install that with the 4spd trans and 4:10gears.
who went in to tge dodge dealer in 1968, wasnt a little okd lady, and said id rather a 6cyl because im cheap lol.
You should implant a BIG turbo Diesel drivetrain with individual tank tracks at each corner with a 6' snowplow and cruise it around Moosejaw Saskatchewan.😃🦌
I like the way you think 😍 but I feel like this is oddly specific enough to have already been done. Lol.
@@DeadDodgeGarage
There's a '68 turbo Diesel powered Charger with tank tracks and a 6' foot plow a runnin' 'round Moose Jaw Saskatchewan?
Well, I'll be damned.
I GOT IT!
You're gonna LOVE this idea!
Put the Hemi,,,,,,,,,,in an OMNI!😃
And TUB IT!🤣
I'm very practical.🤭
Yes, only if it's a stroker with dual quad tunnel ram
Well that seems excessive… and I like it
Yessssssss sir !
The answer to should it put a hemi in my ----is always. “YES”😂
IMHO, I'd leave the Charger alone and stuff that thing into a 'a '68 Dart to make an L023 clone. Better yet, i'd find a '67 V100 postie and make the ultimate sleeper out of it..a fast granny car.
I would leave the 383 alone that is in that charger now, definitely respectable engine - save the hemi for the right project, you will just know when it’s right
Done! I just “restored” the 383 in fact. The hemi went away though… I will find another.
All Chargers should have had a Hemi!!
You know what hemi does say?! HEMI
A block like that needs to be close to the thirdmember o yea refael
Hemify that Charger. No question.
The only question is, how fast can you do it. Don't want to make a running charger back into a roller project.
Seriously. And that… would happen. Definitely.
Personally, I like original engines in cars. Driving an old car is its own reward, even if it "only" has 200-300 hp. A 318 2bbl, properly tuned with dual exhausts can be plenty peppy. Friend of mine with his grandmother's 318 Belvedere could do burnouts all over the place. Heck, I'd be happy with a slant-six Valiant... I just don't care about ridiculous horsepower anymore.
Funny - I completely agree. The Hemi was a cute idea. But I love the car as it’s meant to be.
I Would, and.... I Would !
Don't mess with the 68...
Put the Hemi in it. Unless its a numbers matching car. If not.... Build that Hemi
It actually is, turns out… I think I’m leaving it alone. But I’ll build a hemi for something…
Going to pull a Johnny Cash?- need a bigger lunchbox!!
You might say I went down to Tom’s place and picked it up, it’s cheaper that way…
What I want to know is how things like shaker assemblies snuck out of the factory back in the day. Because they did. What kind of lunches did those guys eat?!
@@DeadDodgeGarage I have heard the same stories from that era.
Back in the day- you typically had a pretty good employee discount on parts as part of your benefits- why get fired and/or arrested for something you could legally buy for production cost or less back then??
Went into Olinger Chry/Ply on Mill Plain, whipped out my DirectConnection ID card, and picked up an entire firewall pinch seam to underseat NOS F/M body floorpan with in-system shipping and WA sales tax total was like $95- employee may have done better yet.
Why steal when stuff is that cheap??
Hemi that Charger. It wants you to. You can tell.
Got this engine in mine 69er!
We all know you want to, but I’m guessing one or more of your projects would have to make way to fund your Hemi addiction?
Would you not consider the 392? Or maybe a SRT motor for a later model charger?
Well the 426 is long gone so that option is out. At least for now. I am very much considering a modern hemi actually… but I think I would just use a 5.7. 350 horsepower is plenty for my purposes.
Obviously Drop that bad boy in the charger it’s temptation right in front of your eyes.. and with your capabilities..
If I had a 426 hemi and a charger… I simply couldn’t help myself
Younger me would. Current me would drop that into something else that would make little sense. Station wagon perhaps?
Right. Younger me would be all about it. Mature me knows that the 383 Charger is great and should be left alone. But it’s a tempting thought… well I’m definitely not allowed to ruin my wife’s wagon with a 426. 🤣 but there are more out there.
@@DeadDodgeGarage Mind you, I'm the same guy that thought putting a 413 cross-ram into my 63 Imperial was an excellent plan.
If you have the chance for a hemi take it you may never get another chance in your lifetime as far as the 383 winterize it and put it into storage for a later build
Wait, are you the same guy who told us on livestream we didn't need more than 300-350hp to just cruise around? 😅😅😅
On another note, going to be at Rocket on Fri? I'm probably going over there to pick up a lower control arm for the Coronet from Tom.
That’s me 😅 you’ll want to double check with Tom because he’s going to get a charger Friday apparently… but no, I’m not here Fridays. Usually tues-thurs but probably not next week
@@DeadDodgeGarage ah thanks for the heads up Jamie, I'll give him a call.
Sell the hemi stuff make some money, I’m a base model 383 freak, the “little BB 383” to me is the engine to have in a charger, I think the charger was built around and designed for the 383, it’s chambered for it, I like the hemi but I think there is to much hype that makes me sick of them
Well I haven’t even bought the Hemi stuff yet so that’s the good news. I think you’re completely right. The 383 is what made the Road Runner (and Super Bee) legendary. It’s a fantastic engine - and I love them.
I want a Hemi in something. They’re huge, ridiculous, and helpless in a way. Quintessential Mopar. Over hyped? Yeah, probably. But they did some amazing things in their day. They deserve some hype. I view the 426 Hemi as an important piece of human history that should be celebrated. But it’s far from a great street or all purpose engine. It’s a hammer.
Id keep the freeatefree in the charger. Put the hemi in the trash can cuda ...if you still got it.
Oh… I’ve still got it. Now there’s an idea. They definitely don’t fit in those cars without some major sawzall action though.
@@DeadDodgeGarage yes it would require massive hackery but what a cool 4 speed hemi car fenderwell headers side pipes dual quads. Wicked.
Keep the charger the same. Wait till something happens to current engine. I’m also late to this video so I have no idea what’s happened
Nothing 🙂 Tom sold the Hemi and it’s exactly as it was. I am going to restore the engine compartment to factory-ish as time allows and keep the 383. A different hemi, a different car, a different year is definitely in my plan.
I would definitely build the Hemi but if I was going to use this Charger as a daily driver I would stick with the 383 or possibly go with a 440. Nothing at all practical about the Hemi unless you are going to race it.
Yep… I decided the 383 stays not long after making this. It’s great - and turns out it is actually numbers matching.
383
Make sure to put the 2 4 on it
Go for it
Keep the Charger as it is and put the heim in the 64!😊
That hemi flew the coop, but I’ll find another one eventually… the Charger definitely stays as it is. I just did an engine compartment “restoration” in another video!
Yes
I say build it and drop it in the 64 Belvedere. I would not drop it in the Charger. That car is too nice the way it is.
I'm doing it! I dont have original engine anyway
It’s been a year so I’m sure you’ve made up your mind but I’d stick with the 383. Throw the Hemi in a rat rod with ridiculous gears and just hoon the hell out of it. Enjoy your beautiful Charger for exactly what it is and what you bought it to be.
I made up my mind to do exactly that. I’m very happy with the 383. I’ll build a Hemi car out of something else some day.
I reeeeeeeeeaaaalllyyyy like option two. But thats me
This is the way my thinking is going…
I would put it in there and run it and there's your regret having an Amy later but I think you would learn to love it and get used to it just like you have it for me 3
Build the hemi, put it in the Plymouth. If it runs as good or better than the 383, swap them
I like it!
A 50% loss in milage for no speed improvement? I don't think so.
Yes too 426😊
Put it in, it was made for a 68 Charger.
Yes.
the obvious solution for a spare 426 is to get a 2nd '68 Charger
I’ll see what I can do!