which engine in my 74 swinger

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Resto

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Hey guys. I'm restoring a 74 swinger. It has the original 225 slant 6 and auto Trans. They both have 7k after the rebuild. I'm almost finished with the all the body work and I'm ready to get it back together. I usually restore everything completely original, but on this one I'm going to have some fun. I want to pretty much have a sport in a swingers body. Any suggestions on which motor I should go with? I'm wanting to have as much speed and h/p possible. I have a'53 241 red ram but that baby hemi only has 140 stock. I want to keep the value up while having a beast at the same time. I am between a 340, 360, or 440. The hemi is beautiful but just not enough power for me. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks
 
not to burst your bubble , but a slant 6 74 dart has no real value to begin with, and it probably never will. same with my 73 slant 6 duster. just build it how you want. a V8 will only add value......my 2 pennies
 
not to burst your bubble , but a slant 6 74 dart has no real value to begin with, and it probably never will. same with my 73 slant 6 duster. just build it how you want. a V8 will only add value......my 2 pennies

Thanks.. I know they aren't real valuable, but I'm keeping this one for myself. Its def getting a v8 with 4barrel carb. Dual 3''flow exhaust. I'm just wanting it to be fun as hell to drive. I'm just trying to figure out which v8 to go with. I appreciate your reply. I do like the 73 dusters. I regret selling mine.
 
Well the 340 is basicly just a selling point since it is a slant car so I'd go with the 360 easy big block power potential and saves on weight
 
Plus only way anyone could tell the difference is to check the numbers do you could still tell the average person it's a 340 if you wanted lol I went with the 360 in my 72 duster
 
****. after the 10 yrs it took to get my car driving again i am just happy that its load, fast and will fry the **** out of the tires. I will take what i can get. loll.

Been 4 1/2 yrs and it was supposed to be a ready to go driver! Ran for 15 mins and developed a knock been on stands for 3 yrs and now engineless and sittin on a ranp lift.
Im ready to drive it!!

(Sorry for the thread jack Resto)
 
Thanks.. I know they aren't real valuable, but I'm keeping this one for myself. Its def getting a v8 with 4barrel carb. Dual 3''flow exhaust. I'm just wanting it to be fun as hell to drive. I'm just trying to figure out which v8 to go with. I appreciate your reply. I do like the 73 dusters. I regret selling mine.

just have fun with it. that car can be built to run hard without breaking the bank. i would rather have a driver that screams than a car built so nice i am afraid to drive it . this was a slant 6 car

and Welcome to A bodies !
 

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The problem with this is that you might as well buy a running car and sell this one. By the time you buy everything you need you will have almost the price of a driver on top of what you have in the car now. JMO
 
Been 4 1/2 yrs and it was supposed to be a ready to go driver! Ran for 15 mins and developed a knock been on stands for 3 yrs and now engineless and sittin on a ranp lift.
Im ready to drive it!!

(Sorry for the thread jack Resto)

Sounds like my 318 haha, We just got it all back together but never built the bottom end because the dude we bought it from said he did. I took it for a 15 minute drive and it threw a rod a few days ago, i decided its just as cheap to buy a short block as it is to rebuild my 318 so i went to O'Reileys because a few friends i know bought 360 short blocks from them "powertorque" brand and they seem pretty legit, $1500. I had 360 heads on my 318 so everything will bolt right up including my recently rebuilt tranny...
 
I'd run the hemi, I'm sure it wouldn't take much to hop it up. I'm not talking money, since Hemi stuff is more expensive. Good valve job, cam and springs, modern 4 barrel carb? Should get decent milage and wind up quick and high. But only if you were going to keep it. If you might sell it, any Mopar V8 will go fast...
 
Guys I appreciate all the advice and the welcoming. I'm set on the 360. Its a complete car, I just disassembled it to restore the body.. I've thought about the baby hemi cause its so damn beautiful but I've looked and it will cost way too much to get that 241 to the power and speed I want. If anyone wants to do a trade for it I'm down..... Again, thanks a lot
 
Guys I appreciate all the advice and the welcoming. I'm set on the 360. Its a complete car, I just disassembled it to restore the body.. I've thought about the baby hemi cause its so damn beautiful but I've looked and it will cost way too much to get that 241 to the power and speed I want. If anyone wants to do a trade for it I'm down..... Again, thanks a lot

Do you mean you are dead set on the 360 or you are all set not going with it?

Just a heads up, I have a 340 for sale in the Mechanical Parts section. I have the block, rotating assembly, windage tray, and you might be able to convince me to sell the heads too.
Looks like it just needs a light hone, new bearings and rings, and you'd be all set. You just can't beat a well-built 340 either.

Just thought I'd mention it. Good luck with whatever you choose.

-Mike
 
Do you mean you are dead set on the 360 or you are all set not going with it?

Just a heads up, I have a 340 for sale in the Mechanical Parts section. I have the block, rotating assembly, windage tray, and you might be able to convince me to sell the heads too.
Looks like it just needs a light hone, new bearings and rings, and you'd be all set. You just can't beat a well-built 340 either.

Just thought I'd mention it. Good luck with whatever you choose.

-Mike

Hey Mike. Thanks. I am interested. Send me a pm whenever you can and let me know how much and where I can see picks. Thanks
 
This question gets asked a lot and the consensus is a 360, or 5.9 Magnum if you can swing it, they are miles ahead in metallurgy and longevity, it's very common for them to have negligible wear at 200k miles. Best bang for the buck. I love mine!

Best thing to do is search the site you will find all your answers here.
 
I found someone selling a360 with Tran. Freshly rebuilt for a mopar. He is wanting 2500. Does that sounds a little pricey? He already has the mounts to swap from a slant 6.
 
pricey? not if the work is quality--, if the seller is reputable, had a known shop do some of the work$2500 is most likely a good price--..

ask some questions-- might be a great deal for you Lawrence
 
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