Road Runner Nest

So i have a decision to make.I plan to be driving my car in the Spring.I have already patched the door area and I figure I can get all the body work done and be putting It together before then(No i am not counting my road runners before they hatch! ),so I need to start thinking about what engine Is going in,but both have there pros and cons.

As most of you know my car came with a 318,when i got it it ran fine,before i took it out it had a tune up done to it,i had no problems whatsoever,but a rebuild wouldnt hurt it.less power

Awhile back I had gotten a 72 dodge charger 400,and mostly everything to go with it.This engine definitely needs a rebuild and so does the carb an transmission i got with it.more power

My questions Is,If you guys were in my place what would your decision be?I'm just asking because i know someones bound to make a good point about something i haven't thought of.

And for the 400,do i need anything besides the small block to big block engine mounts?
If you have any questions let me know!Thanks in advanced!

I presume you're talking about putting the 400 into the Sat? It just seems with the 400 you're opening up a new can of worms. Is the trans from the 400 going in too? What about the driveshaft length and will the Charger's work? Does the Charger have an 8 3/4? Is the track wider or shorter than the Sat's? What about all the other stuff that bolts up to the block that you'll have to change, update, or fix (exhaust is one of them). As long as you realize the hidden costs and don't get in too deep you'll be okay. I have disabled many-a-Mopar, sad as that is, due to my own inability to take my own advice and then it sucks to have to wait on money or knowledge to fix it. Just my two cents.

Plus, what would be so bad about fixing up the Charger and having the Satellite too? Is it really that far gone? Both may be the same amount of work. I think with the right compression and rear end a 318 would scream. I know my '69 Satellite 318 did. It NEVER felt underpowered. It was a light windy motor that was very reliable.

' 318,when i got it it ran fine,before i took it out it had a tune up done to it,i had no problems whatsoever,but a rebuild wouldnt hurt it.less power'

Will you A)rebuild the 318 top to bottom, B) bolt on upgrades like headers, 4B intake and carb or C) drop it back in as is?

If the 318 runs well as is I'd drop it in with a few bolt on upgrades starting with headers, then 4B intake.
You will need new exhaust if you add headers to either motor.
Have fun with it. You can spend the next year driving the car and building a 400 or not. You can spend lots of money rebuilding a motor. How deep are your pockets for this part of the project?.

Have fun,

Chris

Thank so much.

I'm definitely putting in the 318.

Heres a little summary of what im dealing with

My dads boss's brother had a 66 charger which had the 400 from a 72 charger.Anyway the guy bought a 440 to put in his charger awhile back and disowned the 400.So him being such a nice guy he gave it to me.Now sense the motor was given to me,and i have my dad to thank.My dad keeps pressuring me to put it in.He comes home from work and tells me about these performance parts I should get for It.It sounds good and all but there are tons of reasons why I don't want that,first of all I'm not a power person,gas prices,and not only is the rebuild expensive but hes picking the best parts he knows of.I have told him that i wanted the 318 in the Satty because of gas prices and that i don't care about power.And he gets all mad because i got a free engine and i don't want to use it.In other words when i say i don't want to put the 400 in the car he feels insulted.Which i don't get because when i was looking for a car he wasn't interested in mine because it wasn't a Chevy...and RAN! .I actually was thinking about some of the points you guys mentioned last night,and i told him,if i go ahead with the 400,i need more than the small block to big block mounts,and he says that he doesn't think so and it should fit right in.Which i know it will not.Than i continued with what about the trans,ill need to rebuild that too along with the engine and im not sure if that or the rest of the drive train will be correct.And he just gets angry.Its like its his* car or something.I have a real good feeling that if the 318 goes in the satellite he'll take the big block back.

Sorry im basically ranting about my father,but this is whats going.

ha ha i think i need Dr.Phil

I could always put the 400 in my Lebaron

I think the 318 would be better especially if it the original motor. You could sell the 400 to finance the rebuild. I know a guy who is looking for a 72 400, if you do decide to sell it please let me know.

I'd go ahead with the 318.
With the plan of building a stroker 400 and strip ready 727 when you have the cash.

You get to drive your car for less money and make you Dad happy with killer plans for the 400.

Original #s matching 318 cars aren't really worth much more than a non-matching 318 car, so I wouldn't let it affect your decision. It would probably even be worth more with the big block.

The mileage difference probably isn't a heck of a lot, it's only 82 cubes, and the extra torque made by the 400 will help move the car more efficiently than having to bury the pedal with the 318 just to get the car going!

The easiest option is to dump the good drivetrain back in it, and focus on whippin' the bodywork into shape. Building the engine and tranny will take extra time and money, which you can do later.

Thanks everyone!


318 it is!

Listen to your Dad!!!!!1 Go with the 400, you won't regret it.

My wallet will!