i have just bought a 1974 dodge dart dwinger for $500
its a rust free car from cali and it was originally a 318 car.
right now its a roller as the engine was pulled for another car. I have a 360 that came with it but it is in about 100 pieces and the crank is toast so im looking just to get a whole runner to put in it
my question is:
what motor should i put in it?
i want something that if i put my foot down i can have fun but is still practical as a daily driver but also fairly cheep to find an engine for so after all that i came between a 318 and a 360 but im not sure which one would be better

i liive in sothern mi and plan on haveing this as my spring summer and fall vehical and a 1998 jeep cherokee for winter (thats a whole diffrent story)

it needs pretty much everything put back in it so if you can help me out with things to look for and
if you have any advide on what motor to put in it you can feel free to respond to this or
email me cdthemanatee@hotmail.com

Oh and also i found a metal tag in a box of parts that says
3689042-C
LSIM 13685 1924

any idea on what this plate is or what it means ?

thanks!

 

I would go with the 360.
FF

 

Agree a 360, or a 5.9 from a Dakota, would make a great platform to make a really "fun" car. The 5.9 would already be setup for a roller cam.

 

the 360 will need a bigger radiator. the left motor mount is different. i think on some the flex plate plate is different, has to do with the engine balance. but check the block, heads, crank for cracks before spending money. money to money ill bet the heads are cracked. the left motor mount on the 360 and 340 is different from the 318 cause the factory didnt want you mixing and matching engines the tranys not made for the HP of the 360, 340. beleave it or not the factory does have a GOOD reason fore making things the way they do.