1980s 318 questions

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Donny DartO

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It's highly likely my questions have been answered somewhere on here, but I cant seem to find them. I'm trying to put a 1982 318 in my 1967 Dodge Dart. I have big plans for a 440 but its going to take me at least a couple years to build and/or come up with the money, then the rest of the drivetrain will need to be re done as well. But in the mean time I have a 318 sitting around from a van. The block numbers say its a 1982. I'm going to put it in my dart so I can at least drive the thing, its been sitting long enough. Anyways, it has motor mount brackets on it, but no rubber mounts. Can I use these, and just get mounts for the vehicle, or do I need something special for the conversion? The dart has a 904 and I dont have a torque converter. If I buy one to fit the vehicle transmission will it match up to the flexplate? And last question, whats up with the emissions stuff, it looks like there is an EGR port or something on the heads that my Performer RPM will not cover? It looks like the stock intake didnt cover it either? And there are little openings under each exhaust port as well, should I weld those shut or something? I appreciate the input, and again I know these questions are all probably answered else where, so feel free to just post the link if you have it. I found some answers but people seem to say they apply to 318s up to 1976, so it leaves me wondering if it applies to mine or if there were some significant changes after that year. Thanks
 
well, just a quick note, you'll need small block motor mounts and brackets that fit your car. Easy enough to get. Then, you'll need a car oil pan and pick up tube, easy enough to get also. Then, the '82 will have different outlet on the water pump than your '67 car would have. Easy enough too, just change either the water pump or radiator so they match. As for the small holes under the exhaust ports, just use a self tapping 1/4 inch set screw, or tap it and run a 1/4 inch set screw. I use a little Hi Temp RTV, and make sure they are inverted. Emissions? What emissions, it's going in a '67 right ?? LOL
  • oh, your intake won't cover the "arches" in the middle of the head. It's how it's supposed to be.
 
The 80’s motor mounts are different from the earlier years. You’ll need to have the motor mounts rod your year car.

The flexplate on the rear of the engine that couples to the torque converter if stock will bolt up to a converter IF the converter has the provisions for the bolt size. Ask the seller if it is OE flexplate compatible. Stock or mild upgraded torque converters are often compatible but not always.
The intake (RPM and most every other intake) will not cover a semi circle area on the head. Do not be alarmed as this is a heat sink designed to be there. Even factory intakes do not cover this upside down moon shaped hole in the middle of the head/intake area.
All other emission devices can be ignored, or lugged, removed although I recommend the PCV valve and a breather be used for good running engine service.
 
Drill, tap and plug the little holes under the exhaust ports. On the intake side of the head, if you mean the opening around the heat crossover, no biggie as they go nowhere.
Motor mounts - you need the brackets for your car. The truck brackets are different. Same for the oil pan. The truck pan will not work.
Torque convertor - might have an issue with the "button" that centers on the crank. 67 might be the earlier smaller button. And a later torque converter may have a different spline count.
 
Okaaay... first things first. What are you starting with, a V8 or slant 6 car? If it's originally a slant 6, you'll need a different transmission. It will NOT bolt up. If it's a 273/318 car, you will need to find an early style torque convertor in order to use your existing transmission (the early TCs are different from the '68 and later 904s and do not interchange). Then you will need a crankshaft hub register adapter to fit the nose of the early convertor into your late 318 crankshaft.
 
The 67 904 trans, if original, takes the small snout torque converter, so you should use a bushing in the 1982 crank to center the torque converter. Flexplate should match the torque converter. Change the fluid, filter, front and rear seals, and adjust the bands while you are at it.
 
Professor Fate said:
Okaaay... first things first. What are you starting with, a V8 or slant 6 car? If it's originally a slant 6, you'll need a different transmission. It will NOT bolt up. If it's a 273/318 car, you will need to find an early style torque convertor in order to use your existing transmission (the early TCs are different from the '68 and later 904s and do not interchange). Then you will need a crankshaft hub register adapter to fit the nose of the early convertor into your late 318 crankshaft.
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The Dart Originally had a 273 in it. So I guess I need to try and find a converter for the 67 904 then this hub register adapter. cool, thank you.
 
Donny DartO said:
The Dart Originally had a 273 in it. So I guess I need to try and find a converter for the 67 904 then this hub register adapter. cool, thank you.
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or, just find a 904 that's a little newer. Easy enough too.
 
Thanks everyone for the fast replies. I have a car oil pan, and pick up tube ready, so now I'll work on finding a new water pump, motor mounts and brackets, and torque converter with a bushing or adapter. I like the set screw idea for the exhaust holes, I'm no good with a welder anyways. And thanks for the info on the half moon shaped ports, my friends and I were confused by that. And when buying intake gaskets, it seemed like there is no information on it, some have an opening for it, and some don't, seems weird. I also took apart all the accessory brackets a long time ago when I tore this engine down, and did not take pictures or label/organize anything, so that should be fun...
 
Donny DartO said:
I wonder what year range I would need, and would it mount up to the Dart if I transferred its original mount?
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pretty much anything in the '70's, but I would stay away from the lock ups, unless u preferred a lock up. Yep, just use the tranny mount from the dart and you'd be set. Linkage and all will work just fine.
 
There could be an issue with the 318 distributor too. Lean burn systems are locked. You can use the distributor from the 273.
 
Bodyperson said:
There could be an issue with the 318 distributor too. Lean burn systems are locked. You can use the distributor from the 273.
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So the car came with a 273, but I never saw it. When I got it, it had a 360 in it, but long story short it turned out to be junk. So I do still have the 360 distributor I believe somewhere, I think it was from an early 70s truck, maybe that would work?
 
Donny DartO said:
So the car came with a 273, but I never saw it. When I got it, it had a 360 in it, but long story short it turned out to be junk. So I do still have the 360 distributor I believe somewhere, I think it was from an early 70s truck, maybe that would work?
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if that's what the distributor is, it will work fine as long as it's a good distributor, which they normally are.....
 
Donny DartO said:
So the car came with a 273, but I never saw it. When I got it, it had a 360 in it, but long story short it turned out to be junk. So I do still have the 360 distributor I believe somewhere, I think it was from an early 70s truck, maybe that would work?
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OK, just out of curiosity, what do you mean when you say lean burn systems are locked, like no advance or timing adjustment?
 
Donny DartO said:
OK, just out of curiosity, what do you mean when you say lean burn systems are locked, like no advance or timing adjustment?
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Exactly. Electronic timing. Racers use them with aftermarket controllers I do believe. Pretty easy to lock any of them if it is desired.
 
I didn't see any numbers on the distributor, but I did find a 904 for $225. I'm going to see about getting it. The guy says my 440 starter will work with my 318, is that right? I guess its easy enough to check at a certain point.
 
Donny DartO said:
I didn't see any numbers on the distributor, but I did find a 904 for $225. I'm going to see about getting it. The guy says my 440 starter will work with my 318, is that right? I guess its easy enough to check at a certain point.
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Yes, the starter should work.
 
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