Ratty valiant shell + 440 ?

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ValerianMagnum

the little car that could
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Hi guys i bought 2x 1969 valiants last week , one of them will be for sale and the other one was in better shape than expected for a parts car , i have 2 engines that came with the deal 440-727 or 360-904 and i have a 5.9+46re+ dana 3.55 in a ram as a donor too....i was thinking about selling everything that i could and keep the complete shell and build something as a ratty , powerfull , test mule car....i want to practice and build one all by myself from strach and have cheap cheap reliable fun ...so what do to and what not , big block in a A body is all new for me , the car was born with a 904 and a 273 from factory, Let me know guys !

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Forget the 440, more like 408 stroker.

I used to be into big block A bodies but it's really expensive and not as awesome as the imagination would have you believe.

My next thing is to try a 360 based stroker
 
Forget the 440, more like 408 stroker.

I used to be into big block A bodies but it's really expensive and not as awesome as the imagination would have you believe.

My next thing is to try a 360 based stroker
I tend to agree, stroke the 360 and avoid the adjustments to fit a big block into it. But if you're looking to open the hood and show off a big block, then you have your answer.
 
.i was thinking about selling everything that i could and keep the complete shell and build something as a ratty , powerfull , test mule car...
As I see it, the key phrase here is "test mule car"- that implies that you may be running multiple different combinations.
With that in mind, this is how I would proceed:
Tie the subframes and cage it.
Mini tub it and move the springs in.
Modify the crossmember to accommodate a 46re should you ever decide to run one.
Add a 4 spd. hump and pedals for the same reason.
Skip the Dana and mount a 8.75 or Ford 9" rear. If it's a test mule, you'll want the ability to change rear gears quickly and easily.
3/8 fuel line and a minimum 5/16 return, all hardline. Keep the soft/flex lines to a minimum.
Minimize the wiring down to the basics; ignition, charging, lights. Install a power control center so you can easily add circuits for elect. fuel pumps, fans, efi, etc.
Move battery into the trunk, add a battery cutoff.
Fuel cell.
Bring your brakes and suspension up to snuff- the particulars of which are going to be more of a personal preference for you.
Keep it manual steering and manual brakes to ease fitment of various engines and drivelines.
Your K frame is a good basis as is- it will accept any LA/Magnum/B/RB you'd care to drop in, you just need the appropriate engine brackets.
Full mechanical instrumentation- and don't forget room for EGT and boost gauges, if you ever go that way. Include wiring for in-cockpit hookups of programmers, dataloggers, etc.
Keep the weight down.
Check NHRA rulebook for particulars regarding cage, belts, fuel and electrical system requirements. Even if you don't do any class racing, some things will be required just to run a given ET at your track. Overbuild, don't underbuild.
I'm sure there's more...
 
I thought it was between a 440 and a 360, but what the hay? Why Not!
 
I always had people helping me with me cars...i want to build something myself and with 1 or 2 friend..but with a limited budget..no exotic parts , just having fun and learn.
 
I always had people helping me with me cars...i want to build something myself and with 1 or 2 friend..but with a limited budget..no exotic parts , just having fun and learn.
Then it sounds like you would get the best results putting a stock small block in and get the car(s) running.

The second you say limited budget translates to a "big block" build sitting on big wooden blocks in the driveway for a decade
 
Yes, 360 is your friend. What year of 360 did you get in the deal?
 
Yes, 360 is your friend. What year of 360 did you get in the deal?
I bought 2 cars : one had a 4bbl e58 360la / 904 and on the other one was a '74 440/727 , im a big magnum engine fanatic and wanted someting different and cheap since the car will not cost me anything once evrything will be sold and i know the market and i wont give the green valiant away for pennies because it looks bad ( looks bad but very solid ). Im not in a hurry since i bought back my 76 duster last october...but its a driver and i wanted a fun ratty car for a long long time.
 
Stroke the 360......enjoy. More bang for the buck. I personally dont like a 360 so there is my unbiased opinion.
Btw, that car looks really solid. Mint by east coast standards.
 
Minor mod to the K frame, steering column and B body manifolds, not a lot of work. This was a cheap build with 450HP,
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You've got some potential with the e58 360, but I would just as happily build a 318 or a wayward 340 for it.
 
Build it. Don't listen to anybody who thinks it's not the right thing to do. For everybody who has built one who doesn't like a big block A-body there are 10 who love it...
 
Ok I’ll cast my vote. Do all the things @Professor Fate suggested and drop in the mag5.9 and 46re combo and a single cheap 76mm turbo. Keep the fuel injection. Daily driver reliability, good mileage and enough power to go 10s.
 
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