'71 Coronet 318 to 440 Engine Swap

So I've been looking at some 440s here and there and there seems to be a couple complete and running engines for under a grand, so naturally I'm thinking of just getting one and doing a swap for my 318. What all needs to be replaced and adapted to accommodate the big block if you're swapping from a small block? I've done a few Google searches on the topic, but I was looking to get a second opinion.

I'm a little fuzzy with 71 on up but if you use the advanced search up on the right hand corner of the page and type in your search I think you will find some good info. Good luck, Al

K-frame is the same so just need the BB motor mounting brackets. 440 Source has them. Also need a BB tranny if auto or bell housing setup if manual. BB radiator and T/bars too. Pretty easy swap.

[UPDATE]

So I've acquired a '77 440 from an old Dodge RV and I currently have it sitting in my garage waiting to be rebuilt. My wife and I just moved in to a new house and our budget is pretty strict at the moment, but when things get less tight is probably when I'll go and have it inspected and get any machining work done. She looks pretty solid and when I drove her in the RV she seemed to run pretty good. I'll probably log my progress ITT just for anyone who's intereted. Here's some pics for you visual types:

You'll probably want to get a different water pump housing. One that has the lower hose connection on the drivers side.

And you will need a different oil pan and oil pickup tube most likely

Not really a problem I'll probably replace a lot of parts anyways. I'll salvage what I can as far as pulleys and other assorted parts go, but I did a bit of research before I bought the thing just so I knew what I was getting into buying an older block, especially from an RV, so im somewhat familiar with the various little differences there are. I'll post progress and whatnot for anyone who's interested as the build, and ultimately, engine swap progresses.

I've been through this process a couple of times, and my first word of caution is you need to get most 440s rebuilt and upgraded before swapping. I've known a lot of guys who thought taking a 440 and dropping it in was going to give them a high performance road rocket and were very disappointed when their car's performance was less than it was with the small block. Most of the lower-cost complete 440 engines I see for sale are mid-late 1970 motor home and truck engines, and performance wise these are pigs.

It's recommended to have any engine rebuilt before swapping it in since it sucks to have to pull it later on, but if you want better performance you're going to need a set of good heads, a better cam, an aftermarket intake, better carb, better fuel pump, torque converter (if you're going auto), and good headers. Then you'll likely need to upgrade the rear end gearing to get the right feel.

Finding and buying the engine is just the start of the process.

Guys have been 12s with smogger 440 builds. Check out some of the smogger motor builds in google.

I know this is not blazing performance by any means but a 12 second car is a 12 second car regardless

- - - Updated - - -

one example:

65 Belvedere WAGON. 3,840 WITHOUT driver.
STOCK 440, as removed from a wrecked 78 Monoco.
**Pistons were .070-something in the hole**
STOCK 452 heads, fresh valve job/springs
MP .484 cam
Eddy Torker (Not the II, the original Torker)
Holley 750
Mp Elec dist/MSD 6A box
1 7/8" headers (uncapped)
OEM "Hemi" 11" converter
4.56 8 3/4 SG on 9" slicks

12.60's @ 108 with a best of 12.43 @ 109
...on 92 oct pump gas.

Put muffs on, putted around town and bracket raced when we felt like it. FUN, FUN car!!

Bruzilla said:

I've been through this process a couple of times, and my first word of caution is you need to get most 440s rebuilt and upgraded before swapping. I've known a lot of guys who thought taking a 440 and dropping it in was going to give them a high performance road rocket and were very disappointed when their car's performance was less than it was with the small block. Most of the lower-cost complete 440 engines I see for sale are mid-late 1970 motor home and truck engines, and performance wise these are pigs.

It's recommended to have any engine rebuilt before swapping it in since it sucks to have to pull it later on, but if you want better performance you're going to need a set of good heads, a better cam, an aftermarket intake, better carb, better fuel pump, torque converter (if you're going auto), and good headers. Then you'll likely need to upgrade the rear end gearing to get the right feel.

Finding and buying the engine is just the start of the process.

Click to expand...

I'm aware of the lower compression in the later model 440s and personally, while it'd be nice to just buy an engine and drop it in, I think where I stand on the subject is about the same. I mean, if you're going through all the trouble to pull your old engine out and put the one you want for your car in its place you should make it worth your time and build it up to where you'd want it to ideally be. With that being said I've decided to pretty much replace the lot, from hardware to valve covers; everything. It's probably gonna run me a pretty penny but that's the price you gotta pay to make it not only fast, but reliable. Me and a buddy of mine went through yesterday and pulled her all apart sans the timing cover, cam, and the crank
because we didn't have a socket or a wrench on hand that fit the bolt, but pretty much everything's scrapped to start anew. Spent a couple hours yesterday planning out the build and what I'd like to do machining wise. I'm thinking bored .30 over with a 4.375in stroke and using forged internals for longevity sake. I'll get around to posting all the details on the parts that are going into it, but for now here's pics of the progress

do yourself a favor and BUY THIS BOOK!!! http://www.amazon.com/Big-Block-Mopar-Engines-How-Rebuild/dp/1557881901