1969 Fury 3 conv 318. NEEDS POWER

[69fury68]

So i love this car but the power isn't really there. I know its a cruiser but I also enjoy horespower. This motor runs really nice and I don't think I really want to modify the 318. I just got out of a 69 grand marquis brougham with a 429 bbf and even though it was huge it was twice as fast... Im sure it would help if i changed the fury from freeway gears. I guess I'm trying to convince myself to either just leave it stock and original(aint broke don't fix) or do i start building a 383 or 440... not to mention my budget is running low from ordering interior materials, wheels tires, new electrical system and a ton of other bits and pieces just to get her back on the road! What are your opinions? what kind of complications will i have to overcome with the engine swap. Ive found a few 383's on craigslist mostly complete but dissebled for around 100 bux. Ive tooled around restoring a few classics (72 elco, 69 marquis, now the fury) but I've never assembled an entire motor start to finish but id love to accomplish it. Would it add value to the car?

 

[70NPORT]

How many greenbacks ya got? .....No, seriously no matter what you do to the little 318 in your Fury its never going to perform like a big block motor, why??? because its not a big block motor (yes, you can hop it up, but its just the same)....that's why I hate small block motors in c body cars. The way I see it is you have two viable options: Swap the 318 out for more cubic inches....nothing less than a 383. Its doable lots of people have done it. You'll need to find big block parts and motor mounts...new exhaust system....It can be tedious and somewhat of a PITA (if you do it right and not do a hack job) but it is definitely possible...OR you could scan CL for a Fury with a 383 or 440 already under the hood. They are out there...check out the "mopars for sale" section. We find them on CL ALL the time. Also swapping a big block into a factory small block car will not ad value to it...at least not collectibility type value. In fact it might hurt it depending on how desirable the car already is. So, take either one of those options then go back and trailer your buddies merc and take pictures of the event.

My .02

 

[commando1]

You start out looking for a little more zoom.
You start liking the sound of the secondaries opening up so you're now itching to hear the secondaries wide open at 5k rpm.
A different cam now gives you that kick between 4 and 5k so you start thinking what would really be badass would be to...
See what mean? Just drop in a 500/500 BB and be done with it.

 

[69fury68]

So the 3 speed on the 318 will fit the 383 no problem? Exhaust and motor mounts... That's no big deal... Lol !!!

 

[commando1]

No. You need a BB Torque-Flite. That's it.

 

[Mr C]

If you are tight for $$ leave it alone and enjoy the fuel economy. The small block C's are just about the best combination for economy and the 318 is one of the best engines ever made- stone axe reliable.

 

[70NPORT]

I'd just hang out on CL, a nice bb c body comes up every now and then that is reasonably price and in decent shape. That way you don't have to molest the 318 Fury.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Go find a stock smallblock 4 bbl intake swap it and a carter thermoquad on lots of secondary noise put a loud exhaust on. when you stand on it you will think you really moving and getting all the sensations, best bang for buck, otherwise put a BB in trans, radiator, all the brackets, exhaust, how far do you want to go.

 

[Fratzog]

In 2001 I brought home a 70 Polara ragtop with a 318 that had 160k and no compression. I disassembled the 318 in my garage and the MC Shop guy picked up the bits. 6 weeks later he brought everything back (stock rebuild) and I assembled it. Never regretted it. Of course I did get the BB itch and satisfied it several years ago with a 68 Monaco 500 w/440. Make a long story short get a 2nd car. My .02.

 

[69fury68]

well the goal is to invest about 8000 (including cost of car) to double my money and have it ready for sale next summer. I love makeing old cars right again, and then the face of the new owner when they buy it is priceless. I've seen the guy i sold my 1969 grand marquis to driving around with a huge smile on his face window down and a fat cigar in his mouth. That makes it all worth it.

 

[69fury68]

Go find a stock smallblock 4 bbl intake swap it and a carter thermoquad on lots of secondary noise put a loud exhaust on. when you stand on it you will think you really moving and getting all the sensations, best bang for buck, otherwise put a BB in trans, radiator, all the brackets, exhaust, how far do you want to go.

It turns out that the front end of my 318 car is from a 383 car. I wonder if any of the 383 equipment will go in easier.... Hmmmmmm

 

[Fratzog]

well the goal is to invest about 8000 (including cost of car) to double my money and have it ready for sale next summer. I love makeing old cars right again, and then the face of the new owner when they buy it is priceless. I've seen the guy i sold my 1969 grand marquis to driving around with a huge smile on his face window down and a fat cigar in his mouth. That makes it all worth it.

Not sure where you are from but around here you`d be hard pressed to get 10K for that car in perfect shape.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

It turns out that the front end of my 318 car is from a 383 car. I wonder if any of the 383 equipment will go in easier.... Hmmmmmm

Sheet metal has nothing to do with it.

 

[1978 NYB]

Have you decided whether to invest in the small block or upgrade to a big block yet?

If this is the car that you are going to keep forever....you won't regret spending the $$$ that a 440 will deliver in the long run.

Where do you live? I know someone near the Chicago area selling a few 440's.

 

[rexus31]

If your plan is re-sale, leave it as is. You will not recoup your investment if you upgrade to a BB. There is way more involved than just swapping the motor.

 

[70NPORT]

Indeed. Swapping the motor is just the overall target, there's all sorts of stuff your gonna need to source/change if you pull the sb out of your Fury and place a bb in its place. Not a simple cut the rad hoses, unbolt the tranny, motor mounts and replace type situation.

 

[69fury68]

Sheet metal has nothing to do with it.

thought maybe they had differnt core supports

 

[69fury68]

I'm in a really good market near universal city/downtown/ and the valley. Some rich exec or dumb *** producer is gonna love this thing. Ive seen them go for 25-35k with a 383 or 440that had been swapped. so if i find a engine for 200 bux and work on getting it built by summer thats a huge profit increase, i know ill end up having to spend an other 2-4000 putting in it increasing my initial budget to about 10k in the end. making triple sure sounds nice............. I could go to venice beach and park it over the weekend and i could double my money right now in **** shape....

 

[Fratzog]

Counting on a sucker? Well as they say there's one born every minute...just be careful it doesn't end up being you.

 

[rexus31]

I'm in a really good market near universal city/downtown/ and the valley. Some rich exec or dumb *** producer is gonna love this thing. Ive seen them go for 25-35k with a 383 or 440that had been swapped. so if i find a engine for 200 bux and work on getting it built by summer thats a huge profit increase, i know ill end up having to spend an other 2-4000 putting in it increasing my initial budget to about 10k in the end. making triple sure sounds nice............. I could go to venice beach and park it over the weekend and i could double my money right now in **** shape....

Let me know if you fetch $25-$35K for your 'vert. If you do, it will be time to unload mine.