Help choosing a v8 for my dart

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Shaun65dart

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65 dart gt with a slant 6 auto on floor. Looking to swap in a v8. I found these two locally. First one says it’s a 318 out of a 70 charger with a 4 speed automatic trans. Engine and trans ran and shifted well when pulled. Comes with carburetor. What 4 speed trans does it look like and what would the fit be like in my 65?

Second engine is a 1999 5.2 magnum. 108k miles. Regular oil changes. Owner swapped in a 360 magnum in its place. Ran well when pulled.

how do these look to you and which would you go for, if any? The 1970 is 700 bucks total and the magnum is 400

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The 70 would be more plug and play.

Might want to swap out the front cover to 68 and older and cast iron water pump. Gains a bit of room between rad and water pump.

Stick with a stock fit copper brass HD or AC radiator, thinner than aftermarket aluminum radiators.

Stock fixed 7 blade fan, no clutch, again for space.

The more you make it like the factory did the less trouble you will have making everything fit.


Just my 2 cents.
 
1st picture not a 4speed but probably a 904 auto, blue valve cover motor
Good catch, I thought it was a funny looking manual trans, but since I don't have one...

Dip stick tube...

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Okay, here's my take:
318:
Comes with the transmission (that's a 3 speed 904 Torqueflite, by the way), torque convertor, and all linkages.
Correct oil pan.
Direct bolt up to 273 engine mounts and brackets.
You will still need a '70 and up radiator, a '66 Dart driveshaft (6 or 8, both used a 904. You need the slip yoke and correct length of the '66 shaft to replace your current ball and trunnion shaft), an early A V8 throttle pedal, V8 centerlink, and 273 (possibly others, many threads about that) exhaust manifolds or headers, and a '66/'67 speedometer cable. Possibly other stuff depending if you have power steering, etc.
5.2:
I love Magnums, but you'll need a lot to make it work.
A transmission, torque convertor, driveshaft, speedo, LA360 passenger car oil pan/pickup/dipstick & tube, intake manifold and carb, all linkages, distributor, appropriate radiator, and all the missing serpentine front drive components and accessories, modified 273 mount brackets to fit the Magnum, and the V8 centerlink.

And both are going to require you to seriously consider brake and suspension upgrades, possibly a rear end upgrade down the road as well.
My vote goes to the 318 at this point.
 
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And I almost forgot- you'll need a '66 column shift steering column (or convert to a floor shift) to replace the '65 cable shift column.
Edit: Now I see where you said your car is floor shift, but it still uses a shifter designed for the '65 cable shift transmission, you will need to find a shifter compatible with '66 and later transmissions- I believe the '66 is physically similar to yours, later factory shifters utilize a full-length console. Or go aftermarket. I believe there are threads on here about converting the Hurst ProMatic shifter to fit your early console.
 
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I like that phrase- “Plug & Play.” It makes sense when you want to go that route.

If your looking for a fun street car that has some good power, that 5.9 is the way to go BUT!!!!!
As said, it’ll take a good bit to get it up and running in the car.

If the engine doesn’t have the OE flex plate, you’ll need to get one from B&M. Ether way, you’ll need a small block transmission since there different from a /6 or big block. It’s the bell housing bolt pattern. There all different. But the transmission lengths are all the same between the 904’s or the same between the 727’s. But not each other. If you have a 904 trans now, stay with it on the swap. It’ll save you from driveshaft issues. Ether cutting one down or getting the proper one or a new one.

Im not sure about the exhaust manifold fit. Check with other early A owners.

Good lucks en have fun!
 
Currently I have the slant 6 225. It runs great and smooth and shifts the same. I want a lot more power, I want the sound of the v8. I was thinking of buying the 1970 318 with the trans, adding a 4 barrel intake and carb and upgrading the cam. Kinda hard to tear into the car when it works so well as is. Here’s what I’m working with, just bought it a few weeks ago

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Currently I have the slant 6 225. It runs great and smooth and shifts the same. I want a lot more power, I want the sound of the v8. I was thinking of buying the 1970 318 with the trans, adding a 4 barrel intake and carb and upgrading the cam. Kinda hard to tear into the car when it works so well as is. Here’s what I’m working with, just bought it a few weeks ago

Great looking car. I like your idea with the 318. Get the 273 radiator, exhaust manifolds, and Charger exhaust system. Also see posts # 2 and 5. A & A transmissions may have a way to adapt the newer transmission to your factory shifter.
 
65 dart gt with a slant 6 auto on floor. Looking to swap in a v8. I found these two locally. First one says it’s a 318 out of a 70 charger with a 4 speed automatic trans. Engine and trans ran and shifted well when pulled. Comes with carburetor. What 4 speed trans does it look like and what would the fit be like in my 65?

Second engine is a 1999 5.2 magnum. 108k miles. Regular oil changes. Owner swapped in a 360 magnum in its place. Ran well when pulled.

how do these look to you and which would you go for, if any? The 1970 is 700 bucks total and the magnum is 400

View attachment 1715903053

View attachment 1715903054

View attachment 1715903055

View attachment 1715903056
Put one like this in it.
 
I like that phrase- “Plug & Play.” It makes sense when you want to go that route.

If your looking for a fun street car that has some good power, that 5.9 is the way to go BUT!!!!!
As said, it’ll take a good bit to get it up and running in the car.

If the engine doesn’t have the OE flex plate, you’ll need to get one from B&M. Ether way, you’ll need a small block transmission since there different from a /6 or big block. It’s the bell housing bolt pattern. There all different. But the transmission lengths are all the same between the 904’s or the same between the 727’s. But not each other. If you have a 904 trans now, stay with it on the swap. It’ll save you from driveshaft issues. Ether cutting one down or getting the proper one or a new one.

Im not sure about the exhaust manifold fit. Check with other early A owners.

Good lucks en have fun!

Its a 5.2 not a 5.9
 
5.2l power wise is better than the 318
 
Rust bucket needs a muffler
Appears to be the factory Commando/Charger 273 exhaust, or a repop of it.
Rustbucket? How can you tell from just the primered tail end? Not everybody can have- or wants- pristine Gold Certified cars. I like it- Rock On.
 
Appears to be the factory Commando/Charger 273 exhaust, or a repop of it.
Rustbucket? How can you tell from just the primered tail end? Not everybody can have- or wants- pristine Gold Certified cars. I like it- Rock On.

I'd say it was a 170 cu in slant six with a "little" work to it.
 
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318 as it sits is more a bolt in but not being able to hear either run would bother me. they all ran well when pulled.
 
The 5.2l is at least on par power wise as a low cr 340. 4bbl mild cam and headers would have no problem making 1 hp per cid plus and be mild. A 318 done the same would 50-100 hp behind depending on cam.
 
Don't know if it was mentioned but you'll need motor mounts from a six to either the 318 or 360 because those small blocks use different mounts. Some guys use the 318 mount and use spacers to get it to fit right on the 360.
 
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