So i bought a 73 charger with a 318 and bought a 440 to put in needs to 100% rebuilt and needs heads so what i need help deciding would it be a good idea to get the 318 running until i can save up to build the 440 or just skip rebuilding the 318 the reason i ask is my friend has a crank piston and rods for 318 all oversize ground etc he will give me so basically all the 318 needs to run is really good cleaning bored and honed bearings and the rest is free. I want to really supe up the 440 but i need to have the car running and driving by nov 14 2011 the body is really bad also basically i would like to know what do you think would be smartest cheapest thing to do rebuild 318 and save up and slowly build 440 or just put stock 440 in?

 

Moving to correct forum.

I would suggest rebuilding the 318 so you can enjoy that car while you piece meal rebuild the 440.

 

You can bore and stroke the 318 to get very close to a 440. Places around here will bore 0.030 over for about $1,000.00 and a stroker kit is about the same. If you stroke it, you will need bettter (ported) flowing heads. I would fix the 318 and then save some money to bore and stroke the 440, then sell the 318 to offset the cost. Check out this site:
http://www.rpmmachine.com/318-390-ca...oker-shtml.htm

http://www.rpmmachine.com/318-349-ch...-stroker.shtml

or for 440:

http://www.rpmmachine.com/scat-strok...-440to505.html

They have many different options for displacement, but these are the top tiers. I have their 340 to a 416 stroker kit in my Demon and it is night and day compared to my old beat up 340,
FF

 

I'd do the 318 for now and work on the 440 as you have time and money. If aren't already aware, you will also need a different transmission for the 440. 318 cars normally had a 904 trans, and the 440 will need a 727. The 727 has a longer tail housing, so you will need a shorter driveline to go with it, unless you are fortunate enough to have 727 behind your 318 (which you will still need to change due to difference in bell housing bolt patterns.)

 

My fault, I read and typed 318 but was thinking about the 383. I would go with the 440,
FF