318, 400, 440?

[Samw1]

Im really sorry if this is in the wrong spot, but i need some help on this. I found a 1973 charger SE that im going to be buying soon from the owner. He said it use to have a 440 but his son blew it up and couldent find a replacement so he threw a 318 in it. Ended up parking it behind his fence and left it there. It dosent run, but it wont take much to get it going again. The thing is i want to throw a 440 back in there. He told me something about torsion bars hoding the 318 in place. He wasent very clear about it, so i dont know exactly what he ment about the torsion bars and such. So with the torsion bars i dont think the frount end was changed at all. My question would it be worth it? and how much would i be paying to get the engine, should i go with 400 or 440, i know you could order the charger with the 400 but this one use to have a 440. Any hlep would be great. Thanks.

 

[69 Runner]

440s in 73 Chargers is pretty unusual. It would be a good idea if you get the VIN and decode it to make sure what engine it actually came with. With the statement of the "torsion bars holding the motor in" he has NO idea what he is talking about. And since you're asking I'm guessing this is your first Mopar and don't really know your way around either.

That's fine, cause you have the good sense to ASK!

At any rate, IF the Charger actually came with a 440 (or 400 for that matter) then the motor AND trans had to be changed to put the 318 in it. Naturally that means you'll have to change both to put it back. Everything else involved in the swap is really minor stuff and isn't worth discussing at this point.

Ultimately there isn't that much difference in the cost of rebuilding a 383/400/440 so it's a question of what's available and for how much. Then there's the trans. (big blocks used 727s ONLY. no 904s) Machine work to rebuild a big block will cost you $2000-2500. Maybe more depending on what shape it's in.

Ultimately the only one that can answer the question "is it worth it" is you.

 

[63RedFury]

If its a factory 440 car the fifth digit in the vin. should be U. Jim

 

[prhousejr]

I preach this all the time, but get on eBay and look around. I found a heck of a car, not meaning to brag, for low bucks. It is a daily driver. dont need anything. If working on them is your thing buy it. If you are ready to ride around, buy one ready to go.

I asked basically the same question on engines. Most everybody advised me to go w/ 440. Monster torque, with a basic stock set-up. 440 were bad news from the factory according to all I have read.

 

[prhousejr]

I preach this all the time, but get on eBay and look around. I found a heck of a car, not meaning to brag, for low bucks. It is a daily driver. dont need anything. If working on them is your thing buy it. If you are ready to ride around, buy one ready to go.

I asked basically the same question on engines. Most everybody advised me to go w/ 440. Monster torque, with a basic stock set-up. 440 were bad news from the factory according to all I have read.

 

[Samw1]

Thanks alot runner, yes this is my first mopar. I was thinking he was talking nonsense about the torsion bars. My dads pertty good with cars and told me they were used to keep the motor from tiping or bouncing. So i trust him more than the guy selling it. Just had to make sure. And you answered a question i forgot to ask, about the tranny also having to be replaced. I plan to do a restore to my standerds so eventauly i would like a 440. Its a ways of because im going to rip it down to frame and body and redo it, painting it and all than put it back together and make it look the best i can. Thanks again.

 

[69 Runner]

Mopars of that era don't have springs in the front suspension. They have torsion bars. They have nothing to do with holding the motor in the car. Their sole purpose is to act as a "spring" in the front suspension and is superior to springs (by virtue of the fact lots of contemporary cars and trucks use torsion bar suspensions)

They are large bars that run parallel to the frame rails and are also how the front ride height is adjusted.

 

[godfatherofchry]

I preach this all the time, but get on eBay and look around. I found a heck of a car, not meaning to brag, for low bucks. It is a daily driver. dont need anything. If working on them is your thing buy it. If you are ready to ride around, buy one ready to go.

I asked basically the same question on engines. Most everybody advised me to go w/ 440. Monster torque, with a basic stock set-up. 440 were bad news from the factory according to all I have read.

im still wondering what he means by( bad news) becuse they were as dependuble as any thing out there.

 

[prhousejr]

im still wondering what he means by( bad news) becuse they were as dependuble as any thing out there.

"Bad news" means "Bad a**" in Kentucky talk.:tongueflap:

 

[Meep-Meep]

Drive shaft will have to be changed as well. The 904's are shorter.

 

[69 Runner]

True. They are shorter, and the yoke is a different size/spline than a 727

 

[Meep-Meep]

Oooh, good point. So just shortening the drive shaft will do you no good.

 

[69 Runner]

You'd need to stretch it



maybe a bit of durty talk:no:

 

[Meep-Meep]

You nasty boy! :blush:

 

[Samw1]

Lol