318 to 440 Swap

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74.Dodge.Dart.S

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Ok so I'm new to all this am trying to learn. But I've found a 440 that came out of an automatic 1971 satellite for $600. It has around 70,000 miles on it and he said it ran good with no smoking or anything to be concerned about. Now I have a 74 Dodge Dart Sport with a 318 3 speed in it right now. (Its burning some oil too) My question is; How hard is it going to be to drop a 440 into my car? Can I drop it right in or what is it going to take for me to put it in place of the 318? What are some of the problems will i run into doing the swap and what should I look for when looking over the motor? ANY Help would be great!
 
74.Dodge.Dart.S said:
Ok so I'm new to all this am trying to learn. But I've found a 440 that came out of an automatic 1971 satellite for $600. It has around 70,000 miles on it and he said it ran good with no smoking or anything to be concerned about. Now I have a 74 Dodge Dart Sport with a 318 3 speed in it right now. (Its burning some oil too) My question is; How hard is it going to be to drop a 440 into my car? Can I drop it right in or what is it going to take for me to put it in place of the 318? What are some of the problems will i run into doing the swap and what should I look for when looking over the motor? ANY Help would be great!
Click to expand...

318 to 440 ? First off - YEEE HAAA!!!
With that said you'll likely need a rear end to accommodate for all the new found power. You'll need a new drive line to fit with the new tranny that you'll need to fit the big block. You'll need new motor mounts. Most people will tell you unless you seen the motor running and drove it yourself you're buying a core motor. And lord knows those are just the simplest things to think about. Others will chime in soon with the the BIG list.
good luck and have fun!!
 
Not sure about Darts specifically but through my research.

You'll need mostly this:
- motor mounts (Schumacher creative services has them)
- new headers (TTI or SCS | Schumacher creative services has them)
- larger torsion bars will be helpful
- Atleast an 8 1/4 rear end, but you'll want to aim for 8 3/4
- Atleast get disc brakes on your front
- Going 8 3/4 will most likely swap you to BBP wheels
- Need a drive shaft with the correct fitment for a 727

Tons of info relating to darts here: http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/techindex.shtml

My thread that has pretty much all the answers of what you'll need:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=328604
My thread is realting to '74 duster so you might need a few other odds and ends for your dart.

I've been told the entire swap can be had for < 1500 which for power to cubic dollars, isn't too bad.

Good luck!
 
I have a big block 727 core you could rebuild, $100 + praise, $ to ship it, maybe thru Greyhound. The 904 you have I do not believe will bolt up.

You might need better u joints (what are they 7160, 7290, ??)

Scumacher engine mount adapters, I recommend polyurethane k member bushings, new tie rods, & going thru ALL of the lower suspension, & the greatest priority is good brakes (front disk especially & power booster that fits), check the big block forum about headers or manifolds, the right size carb for your purpose {street/strip-drag}, good luck brother!
 
greymouser7 said:
I have a big block 727 core you could rebuild, $100 + praise, $ to ship it, maybe thru Greyhound. The 904 you have I do not believe will bolt up.
Click to expand...

904s can bolt up to a BB with a special adapter plate, but they are significantly weaker.

Adapter plate
http://smrtrans.tripod.com/smrtransmissionsintro/id9.html

Also, I read that there is an issue with the parking gear/pawl where it can't reach the brakes so your car could never park? But that could only be prevalent with the inner pieces being put into a 727 case.

Drag racers used to swap the inners to cut down the rotating mass, but I still wouldn't trust a 904 behind a BB.
 
Sweet Ive read over your whole thread! Sounds like Im in the same situation as you were in! Thanks for all the info!!!!
 
Spend some time in the tech pages at www.bigblockdart.com. You do NOT need to buy Schumacher mounts. You can modify your K-member and use factory mounts.

[ame]https://youtu.be/mnaM_jHLi08[/ame]

[ame]https://youtu.be/G594IRGPtAw[/ame]
 
74.Dodge.Dart.S said:
Can I drop it right in or what is it going to take for me to put it in place of the 318? What are some of the problems will i run into doing the swap and what should I look for when looking over the motor? ANY Help would be great!
Click to expand...


You NEED..

Engine mounts
Headers
Have driveshaft cut to fit
big block auto trans or a big block bellhousing for a stick

There are other things that may be ideal or desired but to get you going. The above is all you need.
 
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