440 Duster swap

-
Muswagon

Muswagon

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2020
Messages
371
Reaction score
279
Location
Winnipeg
I know it would be easier to do a wicked 408, etc etc....but...I realllly want make it a 440 down the road. It will be on the road this spring/summer with a 360/4 speed

I have tried to research what I need to swap a 440 in down the road. Please help me fill in the blanks. I will keep searching this forum as well.

TTI headers. From what I have read, don't even bother with anything else

Power steering retention. I am 50, I have no desire to go manual. Is this possible? The big block borgeson mopar setup, can I make this clear? I have no qualms smashing in some tubes on headers lol. I have seen electric steering posts on some of these threads as well.

Different bell, clutch, flywheel..

26" rad

Thoughts?
 
What year Duster? '73-76 V8 k-member can be built into a Direct Connection unit. No need for a 26" radiator if the opening is not there.
 
May I suggest a 451 instead. Easier to fit than the RB. The B is tight enough in an A-body.
:popcorn:
 
Your first bump in the road is the Power steering. Start looking for a set of Schumacher Tri Y's as they are no longer making them....

JW
 
Yes I have read about the 383/400 B fitting much better...but ya know, even getting a 383 up here is not easy. 440's are still around for cheap cores

On the power steering question. RB will work with manual steering, but the power box is massive so I see the clearance issue problems. But what about the Borgeson box? Is it small enough in the right places to work?

It is a 71 Duster. I can easily get a 73-76 K from the local A body hoarder. I will have to research the DC conversion. I have heard about it but I do not know much.

This may never happen, but it is a nice distraction form real life these days lol
 
Muswagon said:
Yes I have read about the 383/400 B fitting much better...but ya know, even getting a 383 up here is not easy. 440's are still around for cheap cores

On the power steering question. RB will work with manual steering, but the power box is massive so I see the clearance issue problems. But what about the Borgeson box? Is it small enough in the right places to work?

It is a 71 Duster. I can easily get a 73-76 K from the local A body hoarder. I will have to research the DC conversion. I have heard about it but I do not know much.

This may never happen, but it is a nice distraction form real life these days lol
Click to expand...

No to the Borgeson box. Atleast with a RB anyways.... This was with 1.75 TTI's. Don't let salesman sell you Snake oil on this one.....

Looking back at what I did there was one option I didn't research and that the under dash steering assist. It way be worth your time to research it. That would fix the problem.....

JW

Image428520371.jpg
 
Over on moparts website in racing parts for sale someone is selling a set of pro-parts headers
 
Muswagon said:
Power steering retention.
Click to expand...
I've got a 71 with 400 and Doug's headers with PS. I don't know how they get them installed, and if I ever have to take it apart I'm replacing it with a small block. I prefer PS at this point also, but I also prefer as little hassle in my life as possible. FWIW my engine is mounted on elephant ears.
 
I have seen that EPAS kit for electric steering, then of course I would need a better manual box, 24:1 sounds mighty slow although I guess I am not building a G machine here lol.

Is the manual steering box just that much narrower than even a Borgeson box?
 
It's easy to steer a manual box, just don't expect to make real tight parking lot turns, you have to have the wheels rolling to help
 
Kinda the conclusion I have come to, I would rather have strong arm steering than deny myself a 440 lol.

How much narrower is the manual box? I am just trying to get my head around it.

As per what Slopar mentioned, if I absolutely hate the manual steering, I could always do the EPAS electric assist.

As far as manual boxes go, the less expensive options for 16:1 seem to be PST and Southwest Speed. Any feedback on them?
 
Muswagon said:
Kinda the conclusion I have come to, I would rather have strong arm steering than deny myself a 440 lol.

How much narrower is the manual box? I am just trying to get my head around it.

As per what Slopar mentioned, if I absolutely hate the manual steering, I could always do the EPAS electric assist.

As far as manual boxes go, the less expensive options for 16:1 seem to be PST and Southwest Speed. Any feedback on them?
Click to expand...
I can take some photos tomorrow
 
Muswagon said:
Kinda the conclusion I have come to, I would rather have strong arm steering than deny myself a 440 lol.

How much narrower is the manual box? I am just trying to get my head around it.

As per what Slopar mentioned, if I absolutely hate the manual steering, I could always do the EPAS electric assist.

As far as manual boxes go, the less expensive options for 16:1 seem to be PST and Southwest Speed. Any feedback on them?
Click to expand...
You can get spinach at any store if you need help steering
 
thesiren74 said:
I might have a set for sale soon.
Click to expand...

If I were the OP and serious about this swap you would have a PM already.... I got led down a fools path when I was doing my swap. I had a set and they fit great. But didn't want to give up the HP. Had I realized how much I didn't need the full length headers I wouldn't have went down that Rabbit hole....

Oh well. Live and learn...

JW
 
I am still confused why a manual box works with headers and RB engine, but a Borgeson does not. How much smaller/narrower is the manual box?
 
SLOPAR72 said:
If I were the OP and serious about this swap you would have a PM already.... I got led down a fools path when I was doing my swap. I had a set and they fit great. But didn't want to give up the HP. Had I realized how much I didn't need the full length headers I wouldn't have went down that Rabbit hole....

Oh well. Live and learn...

JW
Click to expand...
Yeah a member made something like 550 hp with his hp manifolds
 
Muswagon said:
I am still confused why a manual box works with headers and RB engine, but a Borgeson does not. How much smaller/narrower is the manual box?
Click to expand...
The manual box is about 3 inches away from the exhaust & it's at least 1 inch smaller in diameter
 
Muswagon said:
I am still confused why a manual box works with headers and RB engine, but a Borgeson does not. How much smaller/narrower is the manual box?
Click to expand...
Sorry I wasn't able to get you a pic during the daylight. My mother in law is dying & we had to transfer her to hospice
 
MOPARMAGA said:
Yeah a member made something like 550 hp with his hp manifolds
Click to expand...

It was more than enough motor to get kicked out for no cage even with the Schumacher headers. The OP may have a different agenda though. Headers with a BB in an Abody are just their own animal no matter which you go with....

JW
 
SLOPAR72 said:
It was more than enough motor to get kicked out for no cage even with the Schumacher headers. The OP may have a different agenda though. Headers with a BB in an Abody are just their own animal no matter which you go with....

JW
Click to expand...
Yep, I'm putting in fender well , most likely will modify some to gain tire diameter clearance
 
MOPARMAGA said:
Yep, I'm putting in fender well , most likely will modify some to gain tire diameter clearance
Click to expand...

It's definitely a viable option. I had no interest in cutting on my car however under different circumstances I would have considered it....

JW
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top