Slant to 318 pondering...just need opinions

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MoparMagic1992

MoparMagic1992

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The thread about a slant to v8 conversions got me thinking, im parting out a '79 Dodge Magnum that i rebuilt the 318 in a couple years back. Also has a 904.

My '72 Swinger ive been fixing up to get back on the road. I've changed all the fluids in the slant, plugs, cap, points, fluid in the trans(904) and rear(7 1/4) power steering pump, and redid the whole fuel system.

Still needs brakes, front end needs some new wear and tear parts (98k miles on the car) tuned up, carb work, full exhaust, and new motor mounts.

I got about $700 budgeted to spend on her still, plus what ever i get for the magnum. I planned on doing a v8 swap someday, because i thought it was expensive, but seeing as it isnt as much as i expected, should i just go ahead and get it done now? was thinking about getting her road worthy with the slant then swapping next winter maybe, but i really dont want to blow money on the slant if im just going to pull it in 8 months...im a cheap *** :D
 
i am a cheap *** too. less than $1,000 total including the engine and trans. i had the 6 out in 3 hours , the v8 in and running with headers moving under its own power in 4 hours. a total of a days work and 2 years later its still running strong
 

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Nice looking motor!!

mine SHOULD be around 275 or 300 horsepower

Should i upgrade the brakes? or wait for that? just going to run the 7 1/4 until i source an 8 1/4

Also will B-body small block headers work on an A-body? trying to save money :D
 
MoparMagic1992 said:
Nice looking motor!!

mine SHOULD be around 275 or 300 horsepower

Should i upgrade the brakes? or wait for that? just going to run the 7 1/4 until i source an 8 1/4

Also will B-body small block headers work on an A-body? trying to save money :D
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im still running every piece of my slant suspension. drum brakes and 7 1/4 and very happy with it. the headers are my B Body small block long tubes. dont abuse the 7 1/4 and it will be fine. i am using a 26" radiator and fan shroud out of an 86 lebaron from pull n pay , 40 bucks out the door. i did this on the super cheap.
 
did a 318 swap in my 66. granted its much more involved than 67-76 A-bodies, but im very very happy with it. i get MUCH better mileage, im not in the throttle all the time to get the thing to move. 9 inch drums all around, manual brakes, original t-bars, 7 1/4 posi. sofar so good. Im a cheap *** as well, im doing an 8.25/disc swap in the near future because i paid 100 bucks for a running motor, lockup trans, and offered to haul the donor car to the scrapper for "free"......so i pulled the rear end, knuckles, and brakes as a payoff. best 100 bucks i ever spent.
 
i went with the shumacher conversion mounts for 160.00 although i hear trans-dapt has them for half that which i found out later or i would have bought them. i robbed the headers off my charger but i bought them brand new for 175. i had to have my drive shaft cut down for the 727 but with a 904 you wont need to do that. i bought the engine and trans for 400 bucks. you already have 75% of it
 
And all the pulleys and accessories off the B-body 318 will work just fine on the dart?

think it'll be a better idea if i swap bell housings on the 904's i have since i know the one in her already wont give me any problems



Also thanks for the info and help so far guys, im basically convinced now :D
 
And all the pulleys and accessories off the B-body 318 will work just fine on the dart?
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I dont see why not, one catch though, cast water pump or aluminum? aluminum pumps are much easier to find brackets and pulleys for, I used truck pulleys for my setup, works awesome.

think it'll be a better idea if i swap bell housings on the 904's i have since i know the one in her already wont give me any problems
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Not quite following you on this one, but slant trans cases are for slants, explicitly. you will need a smallblock trans to work, try to get a 66+ 904 so driveshaft length wont be an issue. pre 66 used a ball and trunnion mongoloid coupler instead of a u-joint.
 
is the 318 in the magnum air conditioned? if the trans is good you will need it. the car itself does not know the difference between pulleys and pumps and alternators. the PS pump will plug into your PS box , if you even have power steering. i dont
 
66durgederp said:
I dont see why not, one catch though, cast water pump or aluminum? aluminum pumps are much easier to find brackets and pulleys for, I used truck pulleys for my setup, works awesome.
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'71 block 318 Aluminum water pump

Oklacarcollecto said:
/6 bell housings are part of the entire tranny case and so are the V8 bell housings so you can't switch it.
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Crap, thought it would interchange

73AbodEE said:
is the 318 in the magnum air conditioned? if the trans is good you will need it. the car itself does not know the difference between pulleys and pumps and alternators. the PS pump will plug into your PS box , if you even have power steering. i dont
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Motor in the car was not.



Dont know if the trans in the magnum is a 71 or a 79 but its for sure a 904
 
I took this video for my friend who was interested in the car before i started parting it, dont have an pictures of the engine on hand

engines at around the 2 minute mark

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2urkzSfXwIk"]1979 dodge magnum for sale - YouTube[/ame]
 
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