HOW ABOUT A 1979 318 V-8 IN MY '73 SCAMP?

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volaredon said:
I bought a 85 D150 earlier this year, with a slant 6. Id seen this truck sit... and sit... and SIT some more. I assumed it was probably a 318 truck til I went and looked after a "for sale" sign popped up in the window finally. the clean body is mostly what drew me to it especially for a northern Indiana truck.

I figure by the time I buy V8 truck mounts, a V8 trans, a V8 radiator, and rebuild one of my V8s I have here, I can build up the slant 6 to run pretty damn good.... Only a 1/2 ton, even if I put a 1 ton suspension in it, legally can still only haul or tow what this particular truck was rated at from factory. And it's the lightest GVW, even among the 1/2 tons of that year. I have had slant 6s that surprised me, for how well they could get around/ and yeah, I have had a couple of slugs, among those I have had over the years, as well. ....
I have a 318 in a 78 Sport Fury that as of now is a slug as well.....(not for long.... I have some "goody" parts on hand to wake that one up, too but that 318 in that car is how it came from the factory) the slant in my 80 Volare and my Moms old 79 LeBaron did surprisingly well. More guts than would be expected from either, totally stock.
Just a good tuneup, valve adjustment and super 6 swap, made a HUGE noticeable difference in my son's D150. though it was neglected before he got it, the tune up plus borrowing my 1 bbl from my truck even helped..... the super 6 helped more. I want to pull the head and do some work on it.... mostly a shave. That will help that truck, even more.
don't discount the 6 so fast. There are guys running 12-13 sec 1/4 mile with them..... though these are mostly no longer streetable. gearing also makes a difference.

I went looking for a Super 6 manifold stack, one for me and 1 for my kid's truck..... I got my 1st one then shortly later found the 2nd, with the rest of a basketcase 225 "along for the ride" came with.... with the money I am not having to spend on different trans, different radiator and such mentioned in beginning of my post, that's more that I can put into this 2nd slant that I have on hand to "see what I can make it do"....and drop it in there. If it still "aint quite enough" I can transplant into my Volare that I was originally wanting to do the V8 thing to. Ive done the "yank the 6 and drop a V8 in" on Dodge trucks before.... before I knew much of what could be done to improve on the 6.
In the mid 80s, even the 360 wasn't rated much over 150-160HP from the factory..... and they moved such equipped trucks along pretty decently.... 305/350 Chevys and 302 Ford of the same era weren't barn burners either.... at least as they came stock.
Without getting too crazy, I can get that much out of this slant 6 and even more.... with gobs of torque from that long stroke of the engine.
Then you have the old "everyone puts a V8 in" thing..... I'm trying to do different with this one.
I have a 440 sitting here that I "could" drop in, but Id then have to find some of the above mentioned parts because comparable ones for the 6 won't work on the V8. and big block swap parts are becoming even harder to find than smallblock parts (and more costly) It's been longer since they put a BB in a truck than a SB engine......

You had said you haven't done anything but drive it home 50 miles..... have you pulled the plugs for a look? Adjusted valves? Adjusted carb? Cleaned/rebuilt (if needed) carb? Checked timing? Done compression test? Checked brakes for dragging? Id bet on alot of "no's" to these questions. between here and the slant 6 forum (LOTS of reading over there-- and here) dig around and see what others have done with the slant 6 before you bail..... it runs (somewhat) as is so that's a good part of the battle.
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Thank you for all the good information, I have nothing to my 225 6. Other fall projects seem to take up most of my weekend time! I have a Chiliton's book and I'm pretty sure it will have most if not all of the values I need to do most of those things you mentioned. Maybe this weekend!?
 
volaredon said:
I bought a 85 D150 earlier this year, with a slant 6. Id seen this truck sit... and sit... and SIT some more. I assumed it was probably a 318 truck til I went and looked after a "for sale" sign popped up in the window finally. the clean body is mostly what drew me to it especially for a northern Indiana truck.

I figure by the time I buy V8 truck mounts, a V8 trans, a V8 radiator, and rebuild one of my V8s I have here, I can build up the slant 6 to run pretty damn good.... Only a 1/2 ton, even if I put a 1 ton suspension in it, legally can still only haul or tow what this particular truck was rated at from factory. And it's the lightest GVW, even among the 1/2 tons of that year. I have had slant 6s that surprised me, for how well they could get around/ and yeah, I have had a couple of slugs, among those I have had over the years, as well. ....
I have a 318 in a 78 Sport Fury that as of now is a slug as well.....(not for long.... I have some "goody" parts on hand to wake that one up, too but that 318 in that car is how it came from the factory) the slant in my 80 Volare and my Moms old 79 LeBaron did surprisingly well. More guts than would be expected from either, totally stock.
Just a good tuneup, valve adjustment and super 6 swap, made a HUGE noticeable difference in my son's D150. though it was neglected before he got it, the tune up plus borrowing my 1 bbl from my truck even helped..... the super 6 helped more. I want to pull the head and do some work on it.... mostly a shave. That will help that truck, even more.
don't discount the 6 so fast. There are guys running 12-13 sec 1/4 mile with them..... though these are mostly no longer streetable. gearing also makes a difference.

I went looking for a Super 6 manifold stack, one for me and 1 for my kid's truck..... I got my 1st one then shortly later found the 2nd, with the rest of a basketcase 225 "along for the ride" came with.... with the money I am not having to spend on different trans, different radiator and such mentioned in beginning of my post, that's more that I can put into this 2nd slant that I have on hand to "see what I can make it do"....and drop it in there. If it still "aint quite enough" I can transplant into my Volare that I was originally wanting to do the V8 thing to. Ive done the "yank the 6 and drop a V8 in" on Dodge trucks before.... before I knew much of what could be done to improve on the 6.
In the mid 80s, even the 360 wasn't rated much over 150-160HP from the factory..... and they moved such equipped trucks along pretty decently.... 305/350 Chevys and 302 Ford of the same era weren't barn burners either.... at least as they came stock.
Without getting too crazy, I can get that much out of this slant 6 and even more.... with gobs of torque from that long stroke of the engine.
Then you have the old "everyone puts a V8 in" thing..... I'm trying to do different with this one.
I have a 440 sitting here that I "could" drop in, but Id then have to find some of the above mentioned parts because comparable ones for the 6 won't work on the V8. and big block swap parts are becoming even harder to find than smallblock parts (and more costly) It's been longer since they put a BB in a truck than a SB engine......

You had said you haven't done anything but drive it home 50 miles..... have you pulled the plugs for a look? Adjusted valves? Adjusted carb? Cleaned/rebuilt (if needed) carb? Checked timing? Done compression test? Checked brakes for dragging? Id bet on alot of "no's" to these questions. between here and the slant 6 forum (LOTS of reading over there-- and here) dig around and see what others have done with the slant 6 before you bail..... it runs (somewhat) as is so that's a good part of the battle.
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I HAVE PARTS ORDERED TO HOPEFULLY HELP MY 225 SLANT 6 PERFORM A LITTLE BIT BETTER, SO I TOOK YOUR ADVICE. I STOPPED LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ENGINE TO SWAP IN MY '73 SCAMP, JUST GONNA KEEP MY 6 AND DO REGULAR THINGS THAT SHOULD BE DONE PERIODICALLY ON THIS VINTAGE OF A CAR. I HAVE PLUGS, WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR BUG, AND A VALVE COVER GASKET SO I CAN SET THE VALVES. ONCE I DIVE IN TO MY LITTLE 6, I MAY POST SOME INFO ON THE "CLAIMED TO BE BRAND NEW OUT OF THE BOX" CARB THAT'S ON IT NOW. THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO YOU GAVE ME.
 
Kenjenok said:
My second thought for an engine swap which will probably rate some more positive comments from most of you!? I found a 1979 Dodge Magnum XE, 318, auto, AC, PS. It's a complete car, owner says "running and driving when parked back in 1999!" Anyway, I have driven up there and it's kinda rough, but is all there and hasn't been ruined by someone out there pulling this and that off of it. NOW, what will be involved if I use it's motor and trans in my Scamp? Keep in mind, I'm barely even a shade tree mechanic (my dad was the mechanic in my family! RIP Dad) I have just recently started working on my own cars some getting ready for retirement soon! Love to get my hands dirty and actually FIX something instead of just going out there and buying a new one! Thank you for all your help!
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Read on!
rumblefish's Duster project
 
FWIW, if you want to talk about this off board, start a conversation with me and I’ll tell you a thing or two I would have done different & what will result in more power. It was a fun project to screw around with. I never did get the chance to get to the goal of the car. It had to go and so it was sold.

This was just a screw around thread that was to show that a lowly low compression 318 can be built to perform. Which it didn’t meet the goal as done in the thread but that’s OK. I knew what I wanted to do to get there and it really was just a few key parts away.

A quick substitution of a couple of parts, it would be better. Most engine guys can see this.
 
Hello everyone, I'm the guy that keeps bouncing back and forth between this engine and that engine to swap out in my 1973 Scamp with 225 slant 6. I just found a guy that lives 15 minutes from me has two 340's for sale! He says they are rebuildable 340 motors complete from oil pan to intake. No carb, all pulleys are on them. He further says he has a '70 motor and a '72 motor. What should I ask him for as far as numbers or pictures or whatever to make sure it's a good deal? Do I ask for the '70 or '72? I have never purchased a motor except a VW 1600 and I know what to look for with those! Should I go look at them, I really wouldn't know what to look for even if I was there. His asking price is $1000 per motor. Please help me out here, I would really like to have a 340 in my Scamp! Thanks P. S. IF someone would like the leftover motor? It's located in SW Oklahoma.
 
I can't remember if the '72 would have a forged crank, but the '70 definetly should. Ask for the numbers on both sides of the block, and pull a valve cover off and check the head casting numbers.
 
If you can’t witness the motor running, they should be considered cores that require a rebuild/tear down at the least.

What’s your budget for the engine swap? All this bouncing around your doing indicates you haven’t set a budget yet. Rebuilding a 340 is not as cheap as rebuilding a 318 or 360. While I hope it doesn’t happen, I could see you buying one of those 340’s only to realise the cost to rebuild it, drop in in your car and have it running will be more than your budget allows. Have you factored in a new transmission? A slant 6 904 transmission will not bolt onto a small block v8 block.

People don’t plan to fail but instead fail to plan.
 
Kenjenok said:
Should I go look at them, I really wouldn't know what to look for even if I was there. His asking price is $1000 per motor. Please help me out here, I would really like to have a 340 in my Scamp! Thanks P. S. IF someone would like the leftover motor? It's located in SW Oklahoma.
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Why spend that kind of money for a "rebuildable core", when you could probably find a pretty good running 360 for the same price.
 
AJ/FormS said:
or a JY-Magnum for a lot less.
I wouldn't spend money on a 340 for this application....... except to use it as a big-bore 318; that worked out really well for me as a kid.
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Thanks for the help, I have found a "known to stand behind their products" salvage yard that will sell me a rebuildable 318 with all the brackets and wiring I need for that motor. Price is only $200.00 and for another $50 they will bring it to my house! That's a price I can handle without any problem, now I need to get me an engine stand. Any suggestions??
 
Whoooops! 318 haters are back!:poke:
AJ/FormS said:
or a JY-Magnum for a lot less.
I wouldn't spend money on a 340 for this application....... except to use it as a big-bore 318; that worked out really well for me as a kid.
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So you buy the 318 for just the brackets (and use the 340) or are you gonna rebuild that engine?
You're not making sense.
 
What will be involved is unbolting it from the Magnum and putting it in your Scamp. Any more than that is "up to you".
 
RammerJammer75 said:
You'll have to have a V8 transmission and a set of engine swap mounts/make your own. I'd search for a local V8 engine/trans combo and then look at getting the swap mounts. I picked up a 318/904 for less than $150, and one 318 was given to me. They're still out there.
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I AM NOW REALLY LEANING TOWARD A LA 318, WILL MY TRANSMISSION WORK WITH THIS MOTOR? OR, SHOULD I SHOOT FOR A MOTOR TRANS ALL TOGETHER?
I HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS, BUT EVEN MY WIFE SAID SHE WOULD HELP ME IN ANY WAY SHE COULD, SO DOING AS MUCH RESEARCH AS POSSIBLE AND THE COMMENTS/ADVICE HERE IS SURE ENOUGH HELPFUL!
 
Woah, what’s with the caps lock?

First off, do you have the tools needed for the work? If not, add that into your budget before buying components for the upgrade. Also, do some reading (searching on this forum) to educate yourself on the basics. You will realise a slant 6 transmission will not fit on small block V8.

Why not drive the car for a bit as is to learn about things before diving in with the engine upgrade? I’m imagining a flurry of posts each weekend or every evening you have a chance to work on the car asking about something and perhaps being frustrated with not getting responses within a short timeframe as your sitting beside your car waiting for a response.
 
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H22A4 said:
Woah, what’s with the caps lock?

First off, do you have the tools needed for the work? If not, add that into your budget before buying components for the upgrade. Also, do some reading (searching on this forum) to educate yourself on the basics. You will realise a slant 6 transmission will not fit on small block V8.

Why not drive the car for a bit as is to learn about things before diving in with the engine upgrade?
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Sorry about the caps lock, I'm actually at work and use it almost exclusively here at work. I just got off the phone with the motor guy, he said he has Diplomat/Volare cars in abundance, so I could just go out there, look and pick out which one I think is best for my project. He also said they would all have a 904 trans, so my driveshaft should work just fine. Total cost for motor/trans combo with brackets, bolts, and wiring is $250.00 out the door. Should I also make a deal on the radiator out of that car? Anything else I should look for that would be helpful? I may run over there this Saturday! Thanks
 
Kenjenok said:
Sorry about the caps lock, I'm actually at work and use it almost exclusively here at work. I just got off the phone with the motor guy, he said he has Diplomat/Volare cars in abundance, so I could just go out there, look and pick out which one I think is best for my project. He also said they would all have a 904 trans, so my driveshaft should work just fine. Total cost for motor/trans combo with brackets, bolts, and wiring is $250.00 out the door. Should I also make a deal on the radiator out of that car? Anything else I should look for that would be helpful? I may run over there this Saturday! Thanks
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If you can get the 318’s, 904, do it. A non lock up version (older) is better. The transmissions have bell housings made for the engine family. In other words, you can have a 904 for a /6 or a LA.
AJ/FormS said:
Sometimes I wonder just how short my posts would lf have to be, for you to understand them.
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Well, mine was short enough that I’d thought (assumed, a word which bit me in the *** here) that the little stick poking figure would suggest I’m just joking around.

Here it is again. ——>:poke: <——-

So, seriously, how are you going to help in this fellas 318 project besides telling him not to get it in favor of a 360 for the same money or a 340 because there had ***?

Or did I hit a nerve and you really are a 318 hater?

:lol:
 
I interpreted your :poke: wrong, sorry.
No. I am NOT a 318 hater. When the application fits, the 318 is just fine. I have had a 318 with me since the very early 80s, and it is still going strong in it's application.
As for 340s, I have had several stockers, and after my first 360, I was done with 340s. I got a stack of core blocks in the corner, looking for homes, that I will never use.
Rumble; I like you as well as any man can like another on the internet, and it is never my intention to cross you. I don't always agree with you on every topic, but that's to be expected, especially on the web.
I'll try to be a lil more alert to :poke:
 
Before you buy the v8 please look at the availability of engine mounts, for conversion from spool mounts from /6 to v8.
The manufacture of these mounts have not made them in a while.
 
sireland67 said:
Before you buy the v8 please look at the availability of engine mounts, for conversion from spool mounts from /6 to v8.
The manufacture of these mounts have not made them in a while.
Click to expand...
That is correct for Schumaker creative services. Trans-Dapt still makes swap kits for the early K frames.
 
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