Hey guys im kinda new to the forum and i would like to know what i should do with my 318 charger with the 727 torqueflite with stock 8 1/4 rear......Two cylinders have bad compression and i was wondering if i should just try and find a 383 or 440 to switch out with. If anyone no where i could find one for cheap help would much be appreciated...and the 318 only has 27000 miles on its rebuilt engine block, cylinders, heads, etc from 1985...but please help
Thanks,
mike

 

Guess that kinda depends on what you consider 'cheap'. You sure it's a 727, and not a 904? I was under the impression that the 904 was the tranny used behind the 318s. Also, if you go with a 383 or 440, you're going to want to swap out that 8 1/4 for an 8 3/4 rear (preferably with a sure-grip setup). It all depends on your budget and what you're trying to achieve. You may also want to consider an upgrade to a 360- they're plentiful, comparatively cheap, and will bolt right in to your existing drivetrain without any mods required. If your budget is limited, that's the route I'd consider in your position.

 

I agree. My 74' Charger was a 318 with the 904. That's the way they came. A 360 dropped right in would be the cheap way to go and it is still a nice setup. I prefer the SB Mopars myself. Now running a built 340 in the Charger.

 

OK well thanks alot guys, because i wasn't quite sure what trans i had but i guess it might be the 904...thanks again....What about keeping it stock....could headers, etc mess with the stock look??? what do u think

thanks,
mike

 

Before going to a 340, I went to a wrecking yard and took the intake and carburator off of a 360. Added headers and had a custom dual exhaust with crossover pipe welded up a a muffler shop. Ran with that combo, the 904 and stock 8 1/4" diff for many years and had no troubles. Replaced the u-joints on the driveline once. The 904 and 8 1/4" rearend are pretty tough and can take a lot. At least they were for me until I upgraded after about 10 years of that combo.

Take your time and upgarde as your budget allows. As for the 318, Mopar Performance did a build in some recent months and was getting 400 HP out of the 318. It is a work horse engine and worth keeping if you want. Good luck on your project. Keep us posted.

 

if you do put a big block in her, keep in mind they were a much heavier motar with a hell of a lot of torque, you will want to go with a heavier front suspension and ad a 3rd leaf spring on the right side or run the risk of spliting open a stess crack about half way up the post behind the left side rear window. going from a small to a big block is a bit more involved than just swaping mills but not real hard to do, will take some scrounging at swap meets and scrap yards if you're on a tight budget, but can be done, as i did it with a 73 SE charger, and brother it's worth it, a early 70 e body coming off the line with the front end in the air and the rear covered in blue tire smoke is a beautifull thing LOL

 

WHOOPS.....sorry i said e body and ment b body, that was a one cup of coffie post(morning dumb)