Engine options to put in 67 Dart GT convertible

[TwistedMatt]

My name is Matt. I am 18 years old, am a senior in high school, and have owned my 1967 Dodge Dart GT Convertible for almost four years now. I bought the car as a way to escape the world whenever I needed a break from reality, which I was very desperate for when I first heard that my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. We agreed that getting me a project car would be the best way for me to be able to work with my hands, which is my way of escaping for a little while. However, being a freshman who hadn't even gotten his permit yet, my mother told the older guys (in their 40s and 50s0 in my small car club to only show me cars with six cylinder engines so that I would't kill myself drag racing or something like that. I now realize how right she was, as I have not always been the slowest and least showy driver on the street. So I rebuilt a slant 6 225cid from a 1972 Dart Swinger, rebuilt a transmission to go with it, and replaced the reared with a refurbished 8 1/4 because it was the only free option at the time, being the only rear end we had lying around our parts and work yard. I put all of this in along with countless other little modifications and serious ones as well, including: front Wilwood disk brake conversion, new slant 6 A/C car radiator, high output alternator, new p/s pump and box, all new front suspension, some rear suspension parts, tires and wheels, interior parts, and hundreds of other small jobs about three months ago (which took a total of about 8 months to finish). However, now I am realizing that this car deserves more than a slant and stock 3-speed setup for a powertrain. Also, I'm tired of not being able to keep up with everyone else on cruise nights and regular outings to the point of embarrassment. I'm ready to start setting up a V8 swap for the car, but I have hit a couple road blocks. The first problem is that I do not work during the school year, so I am pretty strapped for cash. Usually I can scrounge $25.00 a week from my mom for doing odd jobs around the house, but rarely much else. My second problem is that I have no idea what to look for in terms of engine/tranny options. I know, being a convertible, it wouldn't be the best idea to put something like a 440 in the car, but I was thinking of going with a small block. Maybe a 273, 318, or 340? What do you guys think?
Sorry about the long post, I'm not great at shortening stories and questions.

 

[65Val]

Any small block is going to fit the bill if you want to add some HP to your 'vert. You'll need different motor mounts, exhaust and ex.manifolds, trans, some wiring changes, and a bunch of small parts to run the small block. If you can find a parts V8 car, that would get you most parts you will need, otherwise you'll be posting a ton of wanted ads on FABO here.

Another way to go would be to upgrade the slanter you have in there now, with a cam, 4 barrel intake and carb, dual exhaust, etc. Check out the slant 6 forum here on FABO for some other members combo's that move out purrdy darn good! Just a thought....

 

[Lustle]

As 65Val said. Any small block would do. 318's are dime a dozen, usually can pick up a running one for free. Around here at least. If you're lucky, might get a tranny with it. A stock 318 though is more than likely going to be a dog. And honestly probably will only match what you've got now in power. You might luck out and find a 360. But with little or no budget it won't be great, better than a 318 but not by much. It's at least a good base though. As for 340? Around here super rare, always wanted and usually still in some guys car. I see guys selling 340 shortblocks for way more than they are worth, just cause they are 340's. 440 out of a motorhome is an idea (think roadkill). I've seen them already pulled for under 1g. Even a dog 8:1 440 still makes power. But it's a heck of a lot of engine to stuff in that car.

Upgrading the slant is always an option. You'd be surprised what you can do with it. While keeping reasonable mileage and decent handling. You don't mention what you did when you rebuilt it. One thing to look at in your current setup. What rear gears are you running? A lot of the old 8-1/4 did not have fantastic gears. A lot in the 2:? area. I had a truck with a 2:76 and the thing was a dog in the city. You might already have a good base to work with and it just needs some tweeks!

As a third option, and something that's actually fairly reasonable for what you get. Have you thought hemi? 5.7's are more and more available. Wrecked trucks, cars, etc. The engine has been out for 10 years now. They are starting to fill up junk yards and such. I can find a running good condition one around here for 1,500 or so. They will basically bolt up to any transmission that bolts to an LA. So not a lot of worry there. Granted it is "more" money than finding an old LA and dropping it in. But you know what you're getting with it.

One thing I'd do if your strapped for cash. Is see if there are odd jobs and such you could do for members of your car club for help/parts for your car. A lot of guys are more than willing to help a young guy out, especially if he shows interest and initiative. I don't know if you are able to work a job during school. But even a day a week can bump up your budget.

Just some ideas for yah!

 

[67 gt]

First off my condolences for your loss as i lost my mother a little over a year ago to Cancer and keeping busy playing with the car is a great way to keep the mind focused else where for a engine get hold of a 318-360 magnum from a wrecker with trans which wont cost you the earth.

 

[furyus2]

Remember, you will have to change the transmission if you convert to a v8. As was already suggested, find a donor car that runs well. Then you have all the small parts that you will need.

 

[KosmicKuda]

for a engine get hold of a 318-360 magnum from a wrecker with trans which wont cost you the earth.

If you were my son I'd say look at getting a running 5.2 magnum or 5.7 from a truck and mate it with an older 904 trans so everything fits in the trans tunnel. Get a 4 barrel manifold for the Magnum. That combo would easily be more power than a typical, streetable hopped up 6

Or........
put a turbo on the /6.and be different There are plenty of posts on this list to research. Think Pishta Pipe.

 

[Jim Lusk]

Ok, I'll be the odd one out. There's nothing wrong with a 440 (did that in my son's '67 Dart convertible when he was in high school (he's 29 now). I'm putting a 440 in my '67 Barracuda convertible.

With that said, FIRST suspension and brakes. What you do will cost a fair amount, so plan ahead.

 

[67Dart273]

My name is Matt. I am 18 years old, ............... Usually I can scrounge $25.00 a week from my mom for doing odd jobs around the house, but rarely much else. .

I REALLY hate to be the old guy throwin lemons at ya, but in my opinion you should SERIOUSLY consider putting this dream on hold. Even if you search and find "cheap," VERY cheap, I'm not sure doing this for less than a grand--1500 is very realistic.

But..........is this an all syncro 3 speed or the "crash box" first gear? If it's all syncro, you could get a V8 bell and flywheel........not all that easy sometimes, and use the existing transmission

You cannot use pickup / van bells, you need a pass car bell. If you find one out of an earlier 273, it will be a TINY clutch setup, so there are pitfalls. This can easily spiral out of control.

Other pitfalls are the magnums. All magnums out of pickups and vans, or Jeeps are injected, and it may not be cheap to adapt all this. A 4x4 transmission does you no good

You can buy a carb manifold for the Magnum engines, but they aint real cheap.

Additionally, the "electronic" transmissions (like out of my junker 97 Dodge 1500 won't work unless you want to install a manual only valve body......more expense.

Earlier LA pickups, vans, and light motorhomes will give you an LA V8 and matching automatic which will drop in. If it has a 727, you will have to have your existing drive shaft re-worked

You have a V8 K member? You will have to either get one, or buy "swap" motor mounts to fit the /6 K member. If you can, you might want a 73 / later K which has the better, newer "spool" motor mounts.

 

[WildCat]

I have had a duster with slant 6

They run ok, with your very limited budget keep what you have, when you change things the cost will keep going to the point you will probably sell it as a project that never got finished

If it is a running driving car, enjoy it. Once you get out of school and get a job that will allow you to have a second car then plan on making a swap.

My Duster might not have been the quickest car in the school parking lot, but it got good gas mileage and very dependable.

View attachment image.jpg

We all want to go faster, best to have a plan and get it done when time is right.

 

[Dartn440]

Ok. Let me go Bat Dad on you. Drive your car til the wheels fall off. Do maintenance and enjoy. There is nothing easy about what you are doing and once you pull your running motor....you will not have a driving car. Read and study your *** off. Focus on solid employment opportunities for your future. There you can buy whatever the hell you want!

 

[krazykuda]

It's hard to earn the money to do a good build when you are in high school. You may be better off driving it like it is until you can save up the money to do a good rebuild on a small block.