73 Scamp... Hello everybody

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Green73

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I found this forum while searching and figured it's the perfect place to learn more about my Scamp.

The car was originally purchased by my Grandfather new. It has been in the family since. My brother owned it for the last 11 years. He only put a few thousand miles on it in those 11 years. Times got tough for my brother. So, finally the time was right for me to offer him up some cash for the old car. He let me have it for $1200! What a steal!

It's a 73 with the 318 and disc brakes. It has factory air, PS, PB and still has the factory paint on it. The interior is mint as is the trunk. It runs great and has garaged all it's life. The only upgrades are the wheels and tires, lowering it and duel exhaust. I just got done doing all of the brakes on it. Calipers and pads, booster (had a leak), shoes, hardware and wheel cylinders. I gave it a fresh tune up too.

I'm not positive what plans I have for it yet. I suppose hanging out in here will give me some ideas.

Just wanted to share. Take care, j

73plymouth.jpg
 
Nice ride! Looks like she's in WAY better shape than my '73 Scamp. 318, 904, a/c, ps, pdb. Wish mine looked that good. Welcome to the boards, hope you like it here. Ray
 
$1200! WOW!

I think it looks quite sharp just as it is! (except for that dent I 'think' I see)

Welcome to FABO!
 
SHES BEAUTIFUL!!!!! i wish my 72 looked that nice..... i HAD a nice 73 like that but i made the mistake of sellin it... i would keep it looking as it is and build the snot outta that 318!
 
you got a great deal on that Scamp, and i agree, build up that 318. you can get pretty good power out of it,and still be streetable. are you planning on racing it, cruise around, or a little of both
 
There are no dents in it. Must be a wierd angle on the pic.

I didn't know it was possible to build up those little motors. I figured everyone tossed them in favor of 340/360's. I assume the 318's have 2 bolt mains, cast crank, and crap heads. Would that be correct? Let's say I wanted to build the little 318... What would you suggest for it to build it around a Comp Cams 280 or 292 hydraulic cam? I would probably go with a Performer RPM intake and a Holley 650. Is the factory electronic ignition up to the task? What heads are ideal? Are the crank and rods good for 6200 rpm or so? I'd appreciate any suggestions you guy's have.

My brother told me the car has a 727 in it. He put a shift kit in it a few years back. Does this sound correct? Or would it have the 904? Just curious.

later, j
 
Yup, really sharp car. You got the best of eveything there for a nice ride. The wheels give her a nice stance and as the guys say...can do lots with a 318 and be very happy. It's nice ta know that's "not" a dent. :thumrigh: :thumrigh:

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70 Duster (Small).JPG
 
69signetv8 said:
Yup, really sharp car. You got the best of eveything there for a nice ride. The wheels give her a nice stance and as the guys say...can do lots with a 318 and be very happy. It's nice ta know that's "not" a dent. :thumrigh: :thumrigh:

:eek:ops: Sorry, Welcome to the site
 
Okay after a little research I've got a couple questions...

Which heads for 350 hp or so buildup? I keep hearing that the magnum heads crack between the valves. (doesn't sound like something I want) Are there any aftermarket heads for these? Edelbrock or whomoever? What about the 80's heads?

Is that toothpick of a rear axle up to the task of 350 hp? Is there a bolt in replacement or should I just find a donor and weld new perches on it? I like fab work so I am not opposed to slapping a 9" or whatever under it.

Oh.... and what trans is in my car and which one do I need for those kind of HP #'s?

later, j
 
Green73 said:
Okay after a little research I've got a couple questions...

Which heads for 350 hp or so buildup? I keep hearing that the magnum heads crack between the valves. (doesn't sound like something I want) Are there any aftermarket heads for these? Edelbrock or whomoever? What about the 80's heads?

Is that toothpick of a rear axle up to the task of 350 hp? Is there a bolt in replacement or should I just find a donor and weld new perches on it? I like fab work so I am not opposed to slapping a 9" or whatever under it.

Oh.... and what trans is in my car and which one do I need for those kind of HP #'s?

later, j

i have heard its the LA heads that crack not the magnums. there are aftermarket heads but i have heard they dont like to play well with some stock compnents..

also the rear you have is most likley the 7.25 rear and no it wont hold up to 350+ HP but the 8.75 will...

as far as trans if its an auto you will have the 904A automatic. just like all mine. but if its a stick then it could be anything. i cant remember if you stated auto or not:( but the 904 will work but i dunno for how long. i would swap in a 727 IF you can find one with a small block pattern...
 
Edelbrocks do have pretty good magnum heads, also if you want to go a little cheaper look for some 85 and up 318 heads, casting #302 I build up a 318 for my swinger with some 302's and it will definately hold its own on a friday night cruize! in fact the first time out- I ran with this blown El-Camino(didn't know it was blown) and went shift for shift, I think I was starting to inch on him when he lost traction and slid towards me. BRAKES FAST!
 
Hey 69signetv8 beautiful car! Its nice to see clean Valiants like that one! I've got 39,000 original on mine. Looks like you have blue halogen bulbs and also I'm interested where did you get those clear driving light in the fronts (fog lights?)

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Green73 said:
I didn't know it was possible to build up those little motors. I figured everyone tossed them in favor of 340/360's. I assume the 318's have 2 bolt mains, cast crank, and crap heads. Would that be correct? Let's say I wanted to build the little 318... What would you suggest for it to build it around a Comp Cams 280 or 292 hydraulic cam? I would probably go with a Performer RPM intake and a Holley 650. Is the factory electronic ignition up to the task? What heads are ideal? Are the crank and rods good for 6200 rpm or so? I'd appreciate any suggestions you guy's have.

My brother told me the car has a 727 in it. He put a shift kit in it a few years back. Does this sound correct? Or would it have the 904? Just curious.

later, j

Normally it would have a 904 but someone may have put in a 727. Look at the shape of the pan to tell them apart. Either way the 904 is good for a 350 HP car. the electronic ignition is good. You can do some head work on the iron heads, dont need to get expensive aluminum heads if your shooting for 350 HP, try and get those 302 heads from a junkyard car. the intake choice is good. go with the 280 cam and a torque converter a little hotter than stock, like a TCI breakaway or something along those lines, should be good with the 650 CFM carb. But definatly plan on swapping the rearend with an 8 3/4 and put some 3.55 gears in it. Just dont go to ebay for an 8 3/4, look in the junkyards or in classifieds. like you said, most people toss these engines for a 340 or 360, but are you going to pay the high price for a 340 or get a 360 and deal with getting even more parts to balance it. Its not that hard to do but the 318 should be fine if your not planning on doing any serious racing. you can always get Mopars 4" crank to stroke it, not sure what displacement the 318 comes out to with the stroker crank, but its an option to get more out of your 318. theres an article on a 400 HP build up of a 318, ill try and look for it or maybe someone already has it and can post the link, but you should check that out.
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I really appreciate it. My brother told me it was a 727 but he's not exactly the automotive "genious". I'm sure it's the 904A.

This project will have to sit on the back burner until I get my Jeep project done (the wife will only allow me one torn apart vehicle at a time) lol. I used to drag race a Chevelle years ago and did a lot of cruising with it. I always loved Mopars but just never had one. I really look forward to hearing the lope of a decent cam and leaving a stop light at 2800 on a decent stall. All in due time I suppose. I'm also interested in inboarding the rear springs and stuffin a bigger tire back there. Are there any good tech articles on this procedure? When the time comes I'll put a different rear axle under it and do the fab work to fit the bigger tires.

My goals aren't really to build a drag car. I just want something sweet for the street. High 12's low 13's is plenty fast. Seems like it should be pretty feasible with the 318 and a set of big Quick Times.

later, j
 
Green73 said:
Thanks everyone for the input. I really appreciate it. My brother told me it was a 727 but he's not exactly the automotive "genious". I'm sure it's the 904A.

This project will have to sit on the back burner until I get my Jeep project done (the wife will only allow me one torn apart vehicle at a time) lol. I used to drag race a Chevelle years ago and did a lot of cruising with it. I always loved Mopars but just never had one. I really look forward to hearing the lope of a decent cam and leaving a stop light at 2800 on a decent stall. All in due time I suppose. I'm also interested in inboarding the rear springs and stuffin a bigger tire back there. Are there any good tech articles on this procedure? When the time comes I'll put a different rear axle under it and do the fab work to fit the bigger tires.

My goals aren't really to build a drag car. I just want something sweet for the street. High 12's low 13's is plenty fast. Seems like it should be pretty feasible with the 318 and a set of big Quick Times.

later, j

if your interested i have a C-body 8.75 thats been blasted and painted. it would just need a slight shortening, center section, and axles. $25 if ya want it plus shipping..
 
welcome!! very nice looking car.

i would go with magnum r/t heads. order from mopar or summit, etc. you can buy them wih the la intake pattern. also get the mopar kit for the pushods, also need new head bolts (differnt lengths) order a nice cam, ask them if they are the amc lifters, that is what you need. Use the mopar thin head gasket for around 9to1 comperssion. and an airgap intake (you can buy an airgap in the magnum pattern, if you went with used heads) i got mine from a junkyard, and i don't see any cracks!

Good luck

Steve
 
moparPW200guy said:
if your interested i have a C-body 8.75 thats been blasted and painted. it would just need a slight shortening, center section, and axles. $25 if ya want it plus shipping..


No thanks. I'd prefer to start with something a bit more complete.

Aren't the new Magnum heads like $600 a piece new unassembled? Seems a bit steep. In one of the 318 buildup articles (Car Craft maybe?) They had them listed at around $600 for the set assembled. Am I missing something here? What are you guy's paying for them?

later, j
 
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