1978 need help with parts recognition
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 10
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1978 need help with parts recognition
Hello, I have bit of a problem, with custom parts that have been installed by previous owner. Long story short, 3 weeks ago I bought 78 C3, and now it's somewhere in the middle of Atlantic Ocean.
Thing is, I don't know what parts might have been put in that car (besides new exhaust headers). Thanks to forum, I know at least this car should have L48 engine, but I can't tell if this is factory engine (shouldn't engine block be blue?). Other than that I don't know anything about what's inside. It's heck of annoying if you don't know what's inside of your car.
BTW is there a way to tell a diffrence (without dyno, or driving) from 383 stroker or L48?
Thing is, I don't know what parts might have been put in that car (besides new exhaust headers). Thanks to forum, I know at least this car should have L48 engine, but I can't tell if this is factory engine (shouldn't engine block be blue?). Other than that I don't know anything about what's inside. It's heck of annoying if you don't know what's inside of your car.
BTW is there a way to tell a diffrence (without dyno, or driving) from 383 stroker or L48?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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I'll tell you very honestly that I don't see one engine component or accessory that is stock. No way of telling what you've got unless you disassemble it.
I'd be concerned about an immediate overheating problem given that the radiator shroud is missing and someone has downgraded the car with a flex fan.
I'd be concerned about an immediate overheating problem given that the radiator shroud is missing and someone has downgraded the car with a flex fan.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
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From: Tampa Bay FL
You can see the engine pad just forward of the passenger side cylinder head. Clean the (rust?) from the surface and compare it to the number on the driver's door pillar. If it matches, original block at least.
I'd address the spark plug wires/routing. there is nothing keeping them off of the headers.
I'd address the spark plug wires/routing. there is nothing keeping them off of the headers.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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Team Owner
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Northeast
Original engine from the factory was painted blue.
Off the stamp pad that tedh mentions, the suffix on the top line will tell you what the block was. Under will be the partial vin.
Internals could have been changed. Without taking it apart you will never know.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2013
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So with German custom, I will go with cc350. As soon as I get my hand on the car(about a week or so), I'm gonna check about block itself.
I have one more question( I saw it's very delicate matter
), what engine oil I should use? Also I should say that it's very hard to get oils that are used in US (I have really hard time finding mopar 5w20 to my wrangler - there are maybe 2 shops in my hometown that have it).
I also saw Royal Purple - is it better than mopar oil?
I have one more question( I saw it's very delicate matter
), what engine oil I should use? Also I should say that it's very hard to get oils that are used in US (I have really hard time finding mopar 5w20 to my wrangler - there are maybe 2 shops in my hometown that have it). I also saw Royal Purple - is it better than mopar oil?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
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From: Northeast
Just a FYI. Noticed this in the 1978 Chassis service manual and the owners manual:
NOTE: SAE 5w-20w oils are not recommended for sustained high-speed driving.
I would suggest asking the seller what he had been using and continue to use a quality oil. The sticky at the top of the page will give you some brand names.
I do not remember Mopar Oil being discussed on this forum. Good luck.
NOTE: SAE 5w-20w oils are not recommended for sustained high-speed driving.
I would suggest asking the seller what he had been using and continue to use a quality oil. The sticky at the top of the page will give you some brand names.
I do not remember Mopar Oil being discussed on this forum. Good luck.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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MoPar and Royal Purple are trade names. Royal Purple is synthetic; not sure whether the Mopar is synthetic or dino.
To be honest, oil use for you will depend on what you can obtain locally. I would think your local auto parts store would have something available off the shelf comparable to anything you could purchase elsewhere.
To be honest, oil use for you will depend on what you can obtain locally. I would think your local auto parts store would have something available off the shelf comparable to anything you could purchase elsewhere.