Joined: Fri Mar 20 2009, 02:15PM
Location: kansas
Posts: 52
i've got a '71 newport custom with a 383 and 727 auto. i've found some nice 318's with matching trannys for sale and just wondered what it would entail to make the swap. i think the mounts would be easy but what about the driveshaft? would the exhaust still match up? anything else? thanks in advance!
Joined: Sat Dec 27 2008, 06:14PM
Location: Lawrenceville, PA
Posts: 98
you will need 1 small block motor mounts 2 a different Y pipe for the exhaust 3 either a different radiator , or custom hoses to match up the small block water pump to the big block radiator 4. the drive shaft will be the same if the 318 has a 727 transmission, if it has the smaller 904 trans you will need a longer drive shaft. 5. you will have to modify the wiring harness to accommodate the distributor being on the opposite end of the motor. 6. the brackets for the alternator,power steering pump and air conditioning compressor are all completely different.
Joined: Wed Jun 02 2010, 07:16PM
Location: Indy, IN
Posts: 272
Swapping because it is hard to find a 383? Cause I got one that I may or may not end up swapping into my 69 Polara... 383/727 - mild cam, head work, 20k miles... I heard it run before it was pulled and sold to me
What year of LA-318 are you looking at ? Does it have The OEM Exhaust Manifolds with it.
******************** All Cars use a 3/4 of the ways back on The Left Side and Trucks or Vans all came with Dual Center Dump Exhaust Manifolds.
1967 to the end of the 1974 Production Year have one design and after 1975 the Exhaust Manifolds have "Smog Provisions". ********************
********************************* All 1972 - 1990 Truck or Van Engines have The Oil Pan Slump in one location and Cars in another. Look at your cars location to see which one you need because there was a Frame Design Change one year. *********************************
LA-318 Truck to LA-318 Car Parts are all swap-able with a Harbour Freight Basic Tool Set.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// If the Transmission is a after 1972 Unit most likely it is the enchanced/ beefier Model 998 Design of the Model 902 TorqueFlite.
Joined: Sat Oct 15 2005, 04:54AM
Location: Spokane,Wa.
Posts: 170
!stop My Buddies 67 Coronet-318 2bbl !zzz Same car big $ built 360-dyno'd out to a stock 383 4bbl w/o torque. Small Blocks & C Bodies are like Oil & H2O.. It looks like the engines got an eating disorder, those lil motors sittin in that giant engine bay...Big Girl Moped Syndrome !!! The PITA factor would easily offset the cost/time of sourcing a useable b/rb.. When my 65 returned w/o a heart, I ran a wanted ad on C/L. Within a week, I bought a roached 68 4dr Chrysler 383 for $450.. Sold it for parts a week later @ $300 - less the factory 15" steelies, radiator, trans, etc... Yes, thats wright, $150 for a 383. Resealed, replaced a smoked Ex valve & off to the races !drive Run a wanted ad on C/L, Theres Mopar dudes with stockpiles of this crap.
Joined: Sun Oct 02 2011, 07:35AM
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 395
THAT's different...swapping down from 383 to 318. I'm sure you realize there will be a performance difference....unless the 318 is built, but still won't be the same without the torque of the "b" motor sitting between the rails.
Joined: Fri Mar 20 2009, 02:15PM
Location: kansas
Posts: 52
thanks everyone for the replies so far! i'm not dead set on a 318, it just seems that there's a lot more available than 383's. whatever it is i'd like to find something within a few hours of the kc area. i don't care about lots of power. just want a good solid reliable motor to get me around. i figured if they put 318's in trucks that haul and pull stuff around then one would do fine in the newport. as for some of your questions about the specifics of the motor i'm looking at, i don't know any yet as i haven't actually seen it in person or gotten more info.
Joined: Sat Aug 19 2006, 05:03PM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2919
I would not swap in a smallblock myself. Didn't you already swap a 440 into your car? What happened to that, and what's specifically wrong with your current 383?
Joined: Fri Oct 28 2011, 04:05PM
Location: UK
Posts: 103
I would stick with big block to be honest and they are as plentiful as 318s. A lot of guys want 440s and swap 383s out for them all the time. You will notice a difference between the two and you probably wont make any savings on fuel either. Bigger less stressed engine in a big car better than a small hard working engine etc. And that parts list wont be cheap either.....