I need help! Info for 1972 Valiant sedan

Mathias Siler said

Hey all! I have a 1972 Plymouth valiant with the 318 v8. (Just broke 50k miles!!)

I have a few questions for the genius people of this website.

What transmission do I have? It feels like it shifts about 3 times.

Is there anything Relatively easy to do to increase power out of this 318? I’m no mechanic but I know how to turn a wrench


I want to stay reliable and I’ve been pondering taking a junk yard 5.3 engine and tranny and making alittle more power and staying reliable. What would I need to do and what would some issues be?

Rims are 5x100, any recommendations for rims? I need something wider and slightly bigger on the diameter.

Final question, Why in the effing heck can I only manage do to a one-wheel burnout :(

Click to expand...

First thing to do is to put dual exhaust on it, at least 2 1/4" or 2 1/2" diameter.... The stock single exhaust really restricts the engine....

Next thing to do is put a dual plane 4 barrel intake manifold on it... Then put a Holley 80457 carb on it that comes with electric choke....

Next upgrade is to put a larger cam similar to a 340 cam or slightly bigger and install a double roller timing chain, the stock 318 timing chain is junk - it will stretch easy and can jump a tooth when the nylon coating on the gear gets old and brittle and chips off making the chain looser....


The reason it will only do a one wheel burnout is you have an open rear end, if you want to do two wheel burnouts switch to a Sure Grip rear axle....