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Need advice for a 318 to 383 or 440 swap in a 68' Coronet

Lenny B

Lenny B

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Hello Everyone,

I'm planning to swap my 318 and automatic to a 440 or 383 automatic in my 1968 Coronet 440 hardtop 2 door. I'm hoping to find a "donor" rusted out 4 door car that has all the parts needed such as engine, trans, linkages, k member, suspension parts, etc.... I bought my car disassembled so I thought a complete assembled car would also be good so I can document it and also see how it comes apart.

So my question is what year B Body cars and will be compatible with my 1968 Coronet. Hoping to find everything or close to everything in one place/car. I believe it is just 1968 through 1970. What years should I be looking for?
 
Great idea! I wish everyone would think this through like you did as getting a running doner car is the best way to make this swap. The only issue I see is you are looking for a B body. What I would do is look for a beat down C body. These are more plentiful, more available, and much cheaper than a B. Yes, there will be part number differences but you're already swapping engines so originality points go out the window. :) Pull the engine, trans, driveshaft, and rear (if you can use it), and the radiator, sell off what parts you don't need, and sell the rest for scrap. Do it right and you'll make money on the swap, which is always a good thing. Here's a perfect example of what you need: https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/pts/6101487603.html

Many C body Chryslers had the 440 TNT, which is their version of Plymouth's 440 HP, so look for one with the TNT air cleaner or the HP stamp. Also, if you can find one with a towing package, they have the heavy duty radiator and an 8.75 rear, and if it was a northern car it may have a Sure Grip. :)

You'll need a set of Schumacher engine mounts if you use a C body, but at $144 they are a lot less than buying a doner B body with a K member you can swap.
 
He can use the K frame, but he'll need the Schumacher mounts. And he'll need a 971 oil pan.
 
Lenny, your idea is a good one and I agree with these guys to look for a C-body with a 440 in it (Imperial, New Yorker, Fury, Wagon, etc.) for the engine & transmission. The small-block to big-block "swap" motor mounts are a great idea. You may (not sure) need a different transmission cross-member (someone else knows for sure). The bigger 26" wide radiator is a good idea and you can easily modify a c-body radiator to fit a b-body (drill a couple holes).

You will also need a 8-3/4" rear end in my opinion, which you may already have. The 8-3/4's don't have any bolts or cover on the back of them. Lastly, you will need to find a driveshaft the correct length for your car/motor/rear end combination and run a new exhaust.

You can do all of this with a 383 or 400 too if you like. You've picked a very popular and relatively easy swap to make. Lastly, a C-body 8-3/4" rear end is too wide for your B-body. I think you need '66-'70 B-body 8-3/4" which aren't too tough to find. E-body ones are too wide too and so are '71-up B-bodies.
 
Bruzilla said:
He can use the K frame, but he'll need the Schumacher mounts. And he'll need a 971 oil pan.
Click to expand...
If the car came with a V8, you can install any V8 back in using factory mounts/brackets with the exception being a Hemi. Not sure about anything earlier than a 66 B but from 66 up to 72 (73?) will interchange. Factory brackets to swap a small to a big block ain't hard to find.
 
Years ago when living in South Carolina, I got a donor car (68 RR) 383, headers, 4speed, 8 3/4 and springs from the sheriff's impound lot. (Gave the sheriff $200 and had to return the 68 back to him). I transplanted all that into a 67 coronet 440(old 318, 3 on the tree). Did it over a couple of weekends and drove it for about a year. Go for it.
 
Cranky said:
If the car came with a V8, you can install any V8 back in using factory mounts/brackets with the exception being a Hemi. Not sure about anything earlier than a 66 B but from 66 up to 72 (73?) will interchange. Factory brackets to swap a small to a big block ain't hard to find.
Click to expand...
I just checked with Schumacher, and you are correct. Also, NAPA still sells big block mounts, and they are about $20 or so.
 
And...a 402 Oil Pan is more correct and will work perfectly. The 971 I am not familiar with. I did the swap on my '66 Ply Sat with a 383HP and C Body Transmission. It was originally a 318 car...cr8crshr/Tuck:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::usflag::usflag::usflag:
 
The car came from the factory with a 318. The trans is an automatic column shift. The rear end is the original 8 3/4". It has 4 wheel manual drum brakes. So here are a couple more questions about the swap:

1) Did the Big Block drum brake cars that year (1968) have larger brakes or where the manual drum brakes on the Big Block cars the same as the Small Block cars?
2) Is the column shift linkage the same for the 318 and 440 that year, just wondering if what I already have will work?
3) If I pick up a doner C body car, will the shift linkage fit the B body car?

The reason I ask all this is I have a local C body doner car that is a complete car available for $1500, the one posted earlier by Bruzilla. I also have a local guy selling an early 70's 440 with an attached 727 automatic and it also has the alternator, A/C unit, belts, brackets, etc.... for $500. Not sure if I need the whole car if the brakes and linkage that I already have will work or are the same as what came with a Big Block car in 1968. The $1000 difference would go a long way in the rebuild.

Thanks again for the advice ~ Lenny b
 
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