Donor 318 car for $500 or 383 4-Speed for $1000.00??

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myasylum

myasylum

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O.k. I'm new here so please forgive me for talking stupid.

Now I just bought a 73 Duster thats in pretty good shape for $1000.00.
It has a Slant 6, and runs well. BUT! I really would like to get a V-8!
I found a donor car for $500.00, it has a 318 with some "goodies", but he said it smokes slightly every so often, not all the time. So then the same day, some guy offers me a 383 with a 4-speed everything incuded for $1000.00!
what should I do? I wanted to stay cheap for now because I went back to school. I was going to offer the guy with the 318 $300.00 because he said he was just going to junk it. It's a rotted away 4-door Valiant. I could use the K-member, and Rally Wheels. It seems like the way to go. But a 383 4-Speed is damn tempting! You guys are the experts! I need your valued opinion! help! Thank You!

Here is the add for the Valiant...

"1975 Plymouth Valient, 318 4bbl, 904 trans, runs good but has bad framerails. The motor has swirl port heads, MOPAR cam, Edelbrock carb & intake, new timing chain and water pump. The trans was rebuilt with a B&M shift kit. 14x6 big bolt ralley Wheels, front disk brakes. The spindles will let you put disks on any B or E body. Unfortunately its not worth restoring. Many other good parts $500"

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I'm no expert but believe I'd jump on the Valiant with a V8 if you're wanting to go V8 on the cheap - already has a V8 K frame, discs, and might have an 8 & 1/4 rear end. You ought to be able to recoup some of your investment by selling off the rest of the parts - interior, instrument cluster, useable sheetmetal, etc. Just my 2c
 
Does the four speed with the 383 include clutch pedal, linkage, etc.? That would cost you some too. Plus adding the hump in the floor for the shifter, a new drive shaft, heavier duty suspension parts, big block k-frame or shumaker motor mounts. More work for sure, but there would definitely be more muscle. Even with the work I'd be tempted to go big block if there is nothing wrong with it. The 318 sounds like it will need work sooner or later.
 
What's the 4-speed out of? If it's not an A Body, you're looking at more money to make it work. I'd probably pass on the 383 unless it has EVERYTHING needed to swap it into an A Body.
 
And let me start by welcoming you to FABO.
You'll find people very helpful here, enjoy.

Giles
 
stick with the 318, theres enough stuff you have to do to change that over and you already have the parts with the parts car. the 383 switch is a whole other animal.
 
65 Dartman said:
I'm no expert but believe I'd jump on the Valiant with a V8 if you're wanting to go V8 on the cheap - already has a V8 K frame, discs, and might have an 8 & 1/4 rear end. You ought to be able to recoup some of your investment by selling off the rest of the parts - interior, instrument cluster, useable sheetmetal, etc. Just my 2c
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Welcome to FABO! You will like it here.

I agree with everything 65 Dartman said in his post. Well said 65 Dartman.
 
That cars been listed for a few weeks now and he also has other Mopar engines listed- you might be able to get a great deal on a lot of stuff from him, but the rusty 4-door appears to be a good buy, especially if you want a small block with a few performance parts.

BTW, if you see a beige '77 Aspen wagon cruising around the Grafton/Cedarburg/Mequon area, that's me. :wave:

Welcome the site.
 
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