Re: [Chrysler300] Re: 440 Engines and Cross Rams

From: RICK AND DEBBIE CLAPHAM <rixpac@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2017 6:39 AM
To: timothytomlinson; John Grady
Cc: Larry Jett; Chrysler 300 List
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Re: 440 Engines and Cross Rams

Dual quads in the trunk. We used refer this action, as the third owner option. Most could barely afford to own these nice used cars, let alone to maintain them. The bad thing about this, is they drove the vehicles daily with all the parts in the trunk. causing damage to the components they removed and to the trunk floor and quarter panels.

These vehicles made great parts cars for people that appreciated these type cars. Some were restorable. Most were parted out for repair components.

During the gas crunch of the early 1970's it was a buyers market. for the letter series Chrysler 300's, as well as big block any brands, Hemi cars etc. I know of a nice Hemi powered 69 Daytona Charger that sold for $900.

I guess that is why we are in shock about what our cars are worth today.

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of John Grady jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2017 8:49 AM
To: timothytomlinson
Cc: Larry Jett; Chrysler 300 List
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Re: 440 Engines and Cross Rams

This most likely was due to inability of most “mechanics” to set and tune ram carbs . Many if not most are so far out of whack when you get them the car barely runs . Carb is in trunk etc . A good running 375 hp 440 with properly operating rams , which means correctly assembled carbs, ( see Jamie’s post on that) should be fine ; many of our cars have that .

Remember —many rams were pulled in early 60’s by dealers as they could not keep owners happy . Why dropped in62 in my opinion , came back with manual choke and real “race car” set up in J for those who “got it”. It is not a Toyota. Deal with it.

Stock 60-61 ram car bought by wealthy grandma and grandpa and tuned by a flathead mopar dealer guy really caused them grief in early 60’s. that issue of “the golden screwdriver” and lack of understanding still plagues rams . Even basic stuff like idle air is by the air valve , not idle stop baffles some . And warm up from real real cold is dicey at best even when working right .. why the dash pot . And stalling when engaging drive , etc etc . J had special converter fixed a lot of that . J cam only 268 tells you a lot , much less than 392 had even . Or later 440 six pack etc

Re: no vacuum , air valves vs holding throttle open at idle by screw . Cannot be done “by ear” and the gold screwdriver .
Jog

Sent from my iPhone

On 9 Nov 2017, at 16:59, timothytomlinson timothytomlinson@xxxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Folks,

Years ago I went to Tucson (I was stationed in Ft. Huachuca, AZ) to look at a 300-K Convertible with cross rams. The fellow had installed a 440 engine from about the 1969/1970 time and put the cross ram induction system on. He was VERY proud of his handiwork and the price was set accordingly. The body was solid (an AZ car), interior and top were toast, and the drive train very questionable at best.

When he finally got the car to start, it barely ran. He had not heard of having to time the valves differently. The cam was the normal 440 camshaft and lifters were the hydraulic ones standard for the 440.

I do not know the cause of the problems, whether it was the camshaft or what. I can tell you the car had barely any vacuum at a very fast idle (probably near 1500 rpm to stay running) and it idled very roughly and galloped. Sounded to me much like any hot rodded car with a very aggressive cam. Anyway, the fellow thought he had all "normal" 440 internals with the cross rams added. If his efforts were the norm for such an effort, I would be shy. However, were the cam set up for a cross ram car, I suspect there would be few issues if any.

My opinion/war story for what it is worth. As you may guess I did not buy his car. I felt it was a semi rolling disaster with undetected major issues yet to be found!

Tim Tomlinson

On Thursday, November 9, 2017 11:28 AM, "Larry Jett LarryWJett@xxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]" <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

My 300F coupe had a 440 block installed in the late 80's by the restorer Joel Cox. The only downside was when being 'judged' by the Inc Club, I lost a point once for having too few bolts holding the valve covers down, and once for having the "Highland Park Chirp" starter, rather than the direct drive 1960 model. Can't answer if the 60 Torqueflight will mate to the 440 but Joel had an Imperial Torquer installed from probably a 62 car so the parking brake could be from the 1960.

Eat, Drink, and be Larry........

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Posted by: RICK AND DEBBIE CLAPHAM <rixpac@xxxxxxx>

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