Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.........

[jfkheat]

Since I blew my engine in my 68 Beaumont this weekend I have a decision to make. Do I try to find a correct 396 and try to redo the car as close to original or do I find another 427 and build it like I want? Since the original engine is long gone, the car will never be a numbers matching car but it would be nice to redo it like it came from the factory. On the other hand, I like the extra power of a slightly modified 427. There are so few Beaumonts left so I will not do anything to change the look of the body or interior. If I go with another 427 I still want the car to look like if came from the factory with the exception of the engine compartment. What are your opinions??
Thanks, James

[mike s]

if money is an issue i would go with the 396 if its not i would put a 427 in the car and build a correct 396 on a stand to have for correctness

[TDW]

427. Without a doubt.

[Alss]

Build a 427 and make it look like a 396..engine compartment as well

ALbert

[COPO]

Is the block cracked on the 427 in the car? Why not just rebuild it? Keep the extra power of the 427 and likely the cheapest way to go.

[427TJ]

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Build a 427 and make it look like a 396..engine compartment as well

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I like that idea.

[jfkheat]

Thanks for the comments. I think it would end up costing more money to put go with the 396 and make the engine compartment look like it did when it left the factory since very little under the hood is original. Finding the "correct" 396 parts will take time. If I go with the 427, I want more of a Day 2 look. What I end up doing will probably depend on what damage I find when I pull this engine. I'll have to see what I can reuse. I'll probably start work on it tomorrow. I moved the car today and there was a puddle of antifreeze under it. Not a good sign.
James