Another 318 to 383 thread

[Furyus67]

First ad on my local Craigslist. I searched “Mopar” under auto parts. says running 318

1979 Dodge Small Block 5.2 318 LA Complete Running Engine Mopar

1977 360 Short Block Mopar

Mopar 340 Engine

I saw “running when removed “ 383s but went ahead and bought a long block.

I'm going to have to keep and eye out on Craigslist in your area!

 

[Joseph James]

I'm going to have to keep and eye out on Craigslist in your area!

There are probably small blocks in your area, too. You might even see one pop up for sale on this forum.

 

[Davea Lux]

Your best bet, if you really want a 383, would be to find a donor car with a good running 383. That way you would have all the odds and ends you would need to do the conversion. The engine and transmission could go in as a unit, your existing 318 transmission will not fit a 383. 383 cars have a heavier u-joint set, bigger front yoke and also a bigger rear yoke, so those need to be changed as well. Big block cars also usually have heavier brakes front and rear as well and usually have at least one additional leaf in the rear spring set. None of the 318 exhaust is very compatible with the 383, so most of that needs to also be replaced. The 318 radiator is probably a 22" 2 row unit which will be too small to properly cool a 383. Your need at least a 3 row unit. It a fairly involved process to do the conversion properly as all the brackets for accessories like power steering are also different.

Dave

 

[Furyus67]

Your best bet, if you really want a 383, would be to find a donor car with a good running 383. That way you would have all the odds and ends you would need to do the conversion. The engine and transmission could go in as a unit, your existing 318 transmission will not fit a 383. 383 cars have a heavier u-joint set, bigger front yoke and also a bigger rear yoke, so those need to be changed as well. Big block cars also usually have heavier brakes front and rear as well and usually have at least one additional leaf in the rear spring set. None of the 318 exhaust is very compatible with the 383, so most of that needs to also be replaced. The 318 radiator is probably a 22" 2 row unit which will be too small to properly cool a 383. Your need at least a 3 row unit. It a fairly involved process to do the conversion properly as all the brackets for accessories like power steering are also different.

Dave

Thanks Dave. Good information/advice, as always!

 

[413]

383 2bbl C body cars have small u-jounts, the same 11” narrow brakes as a 318 C body.

318 radiators usually have the inlet and outlet positioned wrong for BB cars, and the lower hose is a different size. But you will find that many 383 cars have a 22” wide 2 core radiator as standard equipment with no AC, HD cooling, or axle package.

 

[Davea Lux]

383 2bbl C body cars have small u-jounts, the same 11” narrow brakes as a 318 C body.

318 radiators usually have the inlet and outlet positioned wrong for BB cars, and the lower hose is a different size. But you will find that many 383 cars have a 22” wide 2 core radiator as standard equipment with no AC, HD cooling, or axle package.

383 2bbl C body cars have small u-jounts, the same 11” narrow brakes as a 318 C body.

318 radiators usually have the inlet and outlet positioned wrong for BB cars, and the lower hose is a different size. But you will find that many 383 cars have a 22” wide 2 core radiator as standard equipment with no AC, HD cooling, or axle package.

You are of course correct, but how many folks are going to go to all the trouble of the 383 conversion for a 2BBL engine?

Dave

 

[413]

You are of course correct, but how many folks are going to go to all the trouble of the 383 conversion for a 2BBL engine?

Dave

He’s just asking what will work, and Chrysler used these small parts as they know they will work.

Of course on 440 cars Chrysler upgraded to all these system for longevity and reliability.

This is all good information for him to know ahead of starting a conversion!

 

[69 300 vert]

Maybe I'll just be patient and wait for one of the small blocks to pop up.

I'd suggest a magnum engine, 230 HP net, not gross, would make a nice compact package. 2¢

If you find a 360 magnum, more power under the curve, unrelenting torque.

Robert

 

[Furyus67]

I'd suggest a magnum engine, 230 HP net, not gross, would make a nice compact package. 2¢

If you find a 360 magnum, more power under the curve, unrelenting torque.

Robert

Wouldn't I then need to switch it to carbureted and what about fooling with wiring harnesses?

 

[69 300 vert]

Wouldn't I then need to switch it to carbureted and what about fooling with wiring harnesses?

If you elect to carb it and install a standard distributor no wiring is required. But you'll need to do something about a fuel pump. The magnum never drove a fuel pump, a custom cam and eccentric would be needed, otherwise, an electric pump would be easier / cheaper.

Robert

 

[Furyus67]

If you elect to carb it and install a standard distributor no wiring is required. But you'll need to do something about a fuel pump. The magnum never drove a fuel pump, a custom cam and eccentric would be needed, otherwise, an electric pump would be easier / cheaper.

Robert

This is Spanish to me. I'd probably want to keep a time specific engine but how would I wire in a fuel pump and such to make that work?

 

[Furyus67]

Well what do ya know. I found a whole website for such a swap.
First Steps

 

[Furyus67]

I actually like the look of this