In Need of Direction. it runs but looking at BIG Picture

[NDescent1]

I Put a 318 out of 86 diplomat into my 73 dodge charger 8 years ago. i started with a $25 tool kit. 6 months later i was back on the road..with a slightly larger tool assortment. i was so excited that it actually ran that i feel there are alot of things i didnt consider or research so it has never really been to reliable. Nowadays i have the time and means.to work on it i started thinking.. i have been trying to work on it as a 73 318. there are no sensors on the engine and i've always had issues with the vacuum and cooling.. is it because this is not a 73 motor. I had thought that the only difference was the roller rockers and roller cam. but after banging my head off the hood a few times because i can't seem to make it run right, i thought well the compression, air flow, cooling and timing would all be different..wouldn't they? My question is what now... Ideally i just want 300hp and a reliable car. Can i do that with this motor? do i do it as a 73 or an 86. Do i look for an older era correct motor or do i buy a crate motor.

I give thanks in advance to anyone willing to guide me.. I truly enjoy working on my car but there is alot i still have to learn.

 

[sleepar]

86 motor shouldn't be stock roller... anyway, motor doesn't care what it's in should run regardless of year make etc... a cracked intake manifold or bad gaskets... worn out throttle plate leaking vacuum.. old hoses and fittings.... somewhere something...
Stick to 73-68 stuff for 340 and you will have 300... Kb 167 pistons 2.02 intake 1.60 exaust stock 340 profile cam and their springs and lifters. No bigger than a .090 over bore on 318. 4 bbl intake and edelbrock carb....

 

[NDescent1]

IDK i bought an 86 diplomat and that was the original motor in it. So can i set everything up as if it was the original 318? or do i need to set the timing and vacuum up differently..

 

[AMX364]

What do you have problems with? What intake and carb are you using? What have you done on the car already? If you have been driving it then what do you want the car to do different? There is nothing wrong with using a factory roller cam 318 as a BASE. You might need to change the cam to a different profile and will have to call a cam maker for advise on what to buy and what you do not need also.

 

[sleepar]

Basically if it's time to freshen up the motor and your all in.... break it down and see what you have take pictures of the pulley set up motor mounts and wireing etc etc etc and label everything with masking tape and dummy proof as mutch as possible.... there will still be things that may not look right or have to think about but the photos and labeling helps a lot. Then take you're block to a reputable shop to be checked for bore size... then tanked and magnafluxed for cracks... once you have a suitable block... it's heads the factory iron Head's with new valves guides and a port job will wake up the 318... don't over cam it a rv or stock '68 340 is good in a warmed over 318 Kieth black pistons 167 with a ring gap of.026 top and .016 bottom is recommended by them... moly rings do as the manufacturer suggests... headders are a pain... but worth it in the end. I have thread " I've been talking $hit.." look up my profile and it should be the second thread I started for some pics of my '67 318 that's in the neighborhood of 350 horse. With edelbrock heads

 

[Photon440]

Aside from all that, I have to say that your Charger looks pretty good in that picture.

 

[sleepar]

I would suggest checking out for a body's only because there more into small block and here is more big block and ask around before you make any major purchases

 

[Meep-Meep]

For an 86 engine use the specs for the 86. Get it to run properly before you make any modifications. Or at least find out what is the problem and fix it. Do a compression test, check for vacuum leaks, plugs and wires OK? Check and adjust timing, etc....

 

[451Mopar]

The 71 and up B-Bodies are pretty heavy cars. Building a 318 for high HP could hurt low end torque to where you would need a high stall converter and steeper gearing.
What vacuum problems have you had? The A/C and heater controls are all vacuum operated, and there should be a vacuum canister (I think under the battery tray) for the controls?
How many core radiator, and what condition? I am still using the stock big block radiator, Mopar clutch fan kit and stock shroud on my '71 Charger with a 500" stroker and it cools OK. With my old 451 stroker I didn't have any cooling problems.
I did have cooling problems with the old 440 in my Coronet, but it had a blown head gasket.