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I'm looking to modify my 79 Cordoba

Generalmopars

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Sep 1, 2017
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Location
stuck in the late 70s early 80s
Hi everyone, I just joined and I'd like to learn more about mopars in general and I'd like to make friends in the community. I'll get this out in the open right off the bat, I'm one of those weird oldsmobile guys, not to be confused with a Chevy monkey, so don't beat me over the head too hard lol. Ok here goes, ive got a 79 T top Cordoba with a 318 & power windows (literally the roof & windows are the only options this car was ordered with...) anyway I've owned it since 2008. I bought it when I was 16 and I have never driven it on public streets due to the leaf spring box that WAS non existent. I was in auto body in high school so I took it there to fix the frame. When i took it home in 2011 it was nothing but a unibody in primer (my teacher had me go through the whole car and is now ready for paint). I put the 318 back in it, added a 4bbl intake with a thermoquad. And now it has just been sitting in my garage in primer. It runs but it still has the lean burn. Here's what I'm looking to do. I'd like to replace the engine with a 318 from a wrecked 1999 dodge ram. My problem is i don't know too much about newer cars with computers & sensors. I'm not looking to build a race car, I just don't want it to be a slug for ever. I'm open to suggestions and I've got a few options to play with. I'm sitting on an a833 from a 68 super bee and a posi rear. They were given to me by my uncle who had the set up in a 75 fury with a stock 318. I'm not sure if I'd like to go the 4 speed rite away though. Would a modern 318 be compatible with the 904 that is in the car now? I'm trying to learn as much as I can
Could somebody please point me in the right direction or recommend a forum that I could post to and get detailed information from? Thanks. Marty
 
I had a 77 Cordoba that i built and i think I can get you started. How many miles on the motor and how does it run? If it's decent, then i suggest you just scrap the Lean Burn and put in a basic electronic ignition from a 72-75/76(?) pre-lean burn. Any small block setup 318/360 will work. Tune it well and run it until you get cash for something else. I do believe the newer "magnum" engines will bolt up, but double check that.

Do you know what gears are in the rear end? Most likely it's an 8-3/4" rear end (no bolts or cover on the back side) with 3.23 gears. That would be perfect for your car and should bolt right up..."maybe" have to remove the "iso-link" rubber biscuits where the rear end bolts to the leaf springs, but i don't think you have to (check) and that's easy regardless.

That will get you started. Headers from older b-bodies will fit though may not be listed specifically for Cordobas. From there, just build it how you like.

You have a sweet ride....I miss mine. You do't usually see "rich corinthian leather" seats, cruise control and deluxe interiors....let alone T-tops on Roadrunners or Super Bees....Cordbas are sweet
 
I had a 77 Cordoba that i built and i think I can get you started. How many miles on the motor and how does it run? If it's decent, then i suggest you just scrap the Lean Burn and put in a basic electronic ignition from a 72-75/76(?) pre-lean burn. Any small block setup 318/360 will work. Tune it well and run it until you get cash for something else. I do believe the newer "magnum" engines will bolt up, but double check that.

Do you know what gears are in the rear end? Most likely it's an 8-3/4" rear end (no bolts or cover on the back side) with 3.23 gears. That would be perfect for your car and should bolt right up..."maybe" have to remove the "iso-link" rubber biscuits where the rear end bolts to the leaf springs, but i don't think you have to (check) and that's easy regardless.

That will get you started. Headers from older b-bodies will fit though may not be listed specifically for Cordobas. From there, just build it how you like.

You have a sweet ride....I miss mine. You do't usually see "rich corinthian leather" seats, cruise control and deluxe interiors....let alone T-tops on Roadrunners or Super Bees....Cordbas are sweet
I had a 77 Cordoba that i built and i think I can get you started. How many miles on the motor and how does it run? If it's decent, then i suggest you just scrap the Lean Burn and put in a basic electronic ignition from a 72-75/76(?) pre-lean burn. Any small block setup 318/360 will work. Tune it well and run it until you get cash for something else. I do believe the newer "magnum" engines will bolt up, but double check that.

Do you know what gears are in the rear end? Most likely it's an 8-3/4" rear end (no bolts or cover on the back side) with 3.23 gears. That would be perfect for your car and should bolt right up..."maybe" have to remove the "iso-link" rubber biscuits where the rear end bolts to the leaf springs, but i don't think you have to (check) and that's easy regardless.

That will get you started. Headers from older b-bodies will fit though may not be listed specifically for Cordobas. From there, just build it how you like.

You have a sweet ride....I miss mine. You do't usually see "rich corinthian leather" seats, cruise control and deluxe interiors....let alone T-tops on Roadrunners or Super Bees....Cordbas are sweet
hey thanks for the reply. ok so the car and motor has 131k on the clock, when I bought it I did a timing chain, water pump, fuel pump but before I did anything I pulled the valve covers, that told me everything. the sludge was so bad that it hardened to chunks. I pulled the top end and oil pan and the motor is just a mess. I slapped it back together with an eddelbrock intake after chiseling as much junk out as I could and put it in the car. it hasn't been tuned, it might have a few vacuum leaks I think and I haven't hooked the gas peddle up yet because I need a bracket to go from 2bbl to 4bbl. I have a nice electronic distributor to make the swap but I haven't done it yet. its just a tired motor lol and I feel I could get more out of it by changing the motor. its going to be a few years before I can get it painted and re assembled (the car its self) so im not in a rush. as for the rear ends, I don't know whats in it now from the factory and im not sure what the posi is. my uncle said that he had the tranny and rear matched to work together he said he could to 40 in 1st, 70 in 2nd, 120ish in 3rd and he never topped out 4th gear. he also said if I put the posi in I had to use that 4 speed because the way its geared it would wipe out the automatic. I don't think it has bolts on the back but I cant remember. the stock diff has the removable cover though. heres a link to a video of it running
 
Just to keep things simple. The easiest way is to get a rebuilt 360 long block and then all of the pre 92 engine stuff will work. If you go the Magnum route(post 91) only the transmission will be a direct bolt on. To make a true Magnum conversion would really require a complete transplant including the ECU and all related wiring harnesses, sensors, fuel injection lines, pump etc.... Now there are guys who are 1, knowledgeable about the later model Magnums 2, hands on mechanical and have the proper tools, experience 3, have the room and time and money to do it. What ever you decide will be a labor of love and not make economical sense. The point that you are at now though is the best time to decide which direction to go in. If you are going to put it on the street, depending on where you live you may have to deal with emission rules. My advice is to buy a few books about the differences between the older 318/360 engines and the later 5.2/5.9 Magnum engines to give you a better feel for which direction to go and the answers to some questions you haven't even thought of yet.
 
Just to keep things simple. The easiest way is to get a rebuilt 360 long block and then all of the pre 92 engine stuff will work. If you go the Magnum route(post 91) only the transmission will be a direct bolt on. To make a true Magnum conversion would really require a complete transplant including the ECU and all related wiring harnesses, sensors, fuel injection lines, pump etc.... Now there are guys who are 1, knowledgeable about the later model Magnums 2, hands on mechanical and have the proper tools, experience 3, have the room and time and money to do it. What ever you decide will be a labor of love and not make economical sense. The point that you are at now though is the best time to decide which direction to go in. If you are going to put it on the street, depending on where you live you may have to deal with emission rules. My advice is to buy a few books about the differences between the older 318/360 engines and the later 5.2/5.9 Magnum engines to give you a better feel for which direction to go and the answers to some questions you haven't even thought of yet.
that's some good advice. im from pa so aslong as I run classic or antique tags I don't get hassled with emissions. if I were to go with the magnum set up I would be taking everything from a donor truck. I get I would have to take the harness and ecu and add oxygen sensors to the exhaust. I would basically try and use everything the truck has in it now. what I don't know if will it bolt into my k frame, I would think it would. I also dint know how I would hook up my kick down for my tranny. its all the small detail stuff im trying to learn about. that's cool they make books that compare those engines I didn't even think about that. also I feel it would be a decent budget build, if I had more cash id love to do a 440 but I guess im just trying to work with what I have on hand.
 
You will be much happier with a small block. Better mileage, handling, braking etc..... and yes the Magnum will bolt in. Since so many people are using the Magnum engines in early swaps now, there are many more parts available for them.
 
Nice to see a young guy that is willing to get out in the garage and ''work''. Good job !! keep at it.
 
welcome to FBBO
 
Nice to see a young guy that is willing to get out in the garage and ''work''. Good job !! keep at it.
lol thanks. that's pretty much all I do when im not at my job. I just built up a nice 70 olds 350 to replace the olds 307 in my dads wagon. I cant wait to make the swap. and don't worry, I eat, breath and sleep working in my garage, im not going to stop any time soon.
 
I also wanted to say thank you to you all for welcoming me into the FBBO. Ill shoot some pictures up here soon, ive gotta work early tomarrow so maybe after I get off. thanks again
I see the Olds in your avatar, I used to own a 68/69 442, 68/69 cutlass, miss those cars.
 
I see the Olds in your avatar, I used to own a 68/69 442, 68/69 cutlass, miss those cars.
yep they are nice cars, the 68 and 69s are my favorites. the one in the avatar is my 68 supreme. I bought it in 2010, it was green and practically ready for the junk yard. I saved it because of its option list. its got power windows, a/c, power antenna, power trunk release, speed alert buzzer in the dash and I added a tic tock tach. I would work on the Cordoba in school and come home to work on this one instead of doing homework lol.
 
My first car was a 68 Cutlass Supreme green with a non stock modified 455 two fours barrels sleeper.
 
Ok so I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier, if I wanted to use the magnum 318, couldn't I just run an aftermarket intake manifold and use a carburetor with an older electronic ignition? Voiding the need of the ecu, harness and all the extra stuff. Is there a block off plate to run a mechanical fuel pump? If not I'd run an electronic pump. If thats the case I could make this swap and it wouldn't be that hard. Hell if that's the case I might as well get a junkyard magnum 360.
 
Ok so I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier, if I wanted to use the magnum 318, couldn't I just run an aftermarket intake manifold and use a carburetor with an older electronic ignition? Voiding the need of the ecu, harness and all the extra stuff. Is there a block off plate to run a mechanical fuel pump? If not I'd run an electronic pump. If thats the case I could make this swap and it wouldn't be that hard. Hell if that's the case I might as well get a junkyard magnum 360.
 
Wow Bro! Thats Really something to think about!!! Thats Great you came up with that, Hahaha! I don't know crap about them: id have to check some things. Ill leave you guys to talk about it: i dont want to interrupt... Thumbs Up + Mopar Master!
 
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