Help Me Build My 318

74roadrunner · 02-25-2008, 04:28 PM

I am restoring my first car which is a 74 roadrunner. It is in great shape and starts every time on the first try. The car is all original with all matching numbers. I paid 5k for the car 2 weeks ago and I am ready to build my 318. I am looking for around 400 hp which I know is high but possible. I am looking for any tips or resources anyone may have about good places for parts for the 318 or just tips in general. I know VERY little about the inside of motors so the technical talk will not help much. I would however take a parts list of any kind if someone has got these results. Thanks and I thank everyone ahead of time for the help.

440roadrunner · 02-25-2008, 05:24 PM

Here's some things your really should think about.

You say this is "all original" does this mean that it's probably a "matching numbers" car?

If so, you really should think carefully about what you are doing.

(I know, we all tore these up, but that was back when they were "just cars." During the gas crunch of the early '70's they weren't worth much.)

all that has changed. These are collectible, and it won't be long before they are bonafide antiques. More and more of them that "are original" are just gone, so .....

consider this

If you want to build a hotrod, maybe buy a different car to build.

Or, pull the original engine and trans, document carefully every part, and swap in something like a built 360 engine/trans combo. These are plentiful, fairly cheap, and can be good performers, and much easier to find than 340s

Consider--you seem to have an original car. What happens if you happen to toss something through that origninal block? There goes the originality. In light of the overall potential future worth of your car, this could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Also, a true 400hp 318 is going to be very expensive to build, and when you get done you'll have a nasty thing to handle on the street. A 400hp 360 will still have a nice "cam" but be much more streetable, not to mention having a much better torque curve.

ucfierocharger · 02-28-2008, 01:03 AM

I agree with 440. If it is an original car, think about what you are doing first. Im not saying dont to it, by all means its your car, an dit makes our cars that much more collectible being original.

If it were my car, which of course it is not. I wouldnt do anything more than an new carb/intake/headers. (AND KEEP THE OLD STUFF) other than that, I would touch that engine. Its fairly durable and has decent power.

IF you want to build a street machine, I would agree 100% pick up a 360 block. You can build it much cheaper than any of the other small blocks and it bolts right up. 350 hp is easy and fairly inexpensive. It can EASILY be done for 4k (having a machine shop assemble and balance it or just buying one from summit or year one)

either way. it seems like you are a ways out from purchasing anything. So you will prolly look up a lot more stuff before you make a final decision. be sure to keep us posted here!

44072Charger · 03-19-2008, 03:53 PM

340 is also an excellent option. They have some nice forged internals not found in your 318/ 360 angines. 360 will be cheaper. I got one with a tranny for $100 two summers ago. Or you could haul that 2-ton hull around with a big block. they bolt right in.

trt100 · 03-19-2008, 06:23 PM

found this on the net.
i have a 318 as well in my 69 dart. this actually helped out pretty well

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/t...ild/index.html

02-25-2008, 04:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
74roadrunner Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1	Help Me Build My 318 I am restoring my first car which is a 74 roadrunner. It is in great shape and starts every time on the first try. The car is all original with all matching numbers. I paid 5k for the car 2 weeks ago and I am ready to build my 318. I am looking for around 400 hp which I know is high but possible. I am looking for any tips or resources anyone may have about good places for parts for the 318 or just tips in general. I know VERY little about the inside of motors so the technical talk will not help much. I would however take a parts list of any kind if someone has got these results. Thanks and I thank everyone ahead of time for the help.

02-28-2008, 01:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
ucfierocharger USB car drive man Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cincinnati OH Posts: 142	I agree with 440. If it is an original car, think about what you are doing first. Im not saying dont to it, by all means its your car, an dit makes our cars that much more collectible being original. If it were my car, which of course it is not. I wouldnt do anything more than an new carb/intake/headers. (AND KEEP THE OLD STUFF) other than that, I would touch that engine. Its fairly durable and has decent power. IF you want to build a street machine, I would agree 100% pick up a 360 block. You can build it much cheaper than any of the other small blocks and it bolts right up. 350 hp is easy and fairly inexpensive. It can EASILY be done for 4k (having a machine shop assemble and balance it or just buying one from summit or year one) either way. it seems like you are a ways out from purchasing anything. So you will prolly look up a lot more stuff before you make a final decision. be sure to keep us posted here! __________________ Unique mopar flash drives? http://www.usbcar.com

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02-25-2008, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
440roadrunner Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 272	Here's some things your really should think about. You say this is "all original" does this mean that it's probably a "matching numbers" car? If so, you really should think carefully about what you are doing. (I know, we all tore these up, but that was back when they were "just cars." During the gas crunch of the early '70's they weren't worth much.) all that has changed. These are collectible, and it won't be long before they are bonafide antiques. More and more of them that "are original" are just gone, so ..... consider this If you want to build a hotrod, maybe buy a different car to build. Or, pull the original engine and trans, document carefully every part, and swap in something like a built 360 engine/trans combo. These are plentiful, fairly cheap, and can be good performers, and much easier to find than 340s Consider--you seem to have an original car. What happens if you happen to toss something through that origninal block? There goes the originality. In light of the overall potential future worth of your car, this could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Also, a true 400hp 318 is going to be very expensive to build, and when you get done you'll have a nasty thing to handle on the street. A 400hp 360 will still have a nice "cam" but be much more streetable, not to mention having a much better torque curve.

03-19-2008, 03:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
44072Charger Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 11	340 is also an excellent option. They have some nice forged internals not found in your 318/ 360 angines. 360 will be cheaper. I got one with a tranny for $100 two summers ago. Or you could haul that 2-ton hull around with a big block. they bolt right in.

03-19-2008, 06:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
trt100 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Inland Empire Posts: 8	found this on the net. i have a 318 as well in my 69 dart. this actually helped out pretty well http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/t...ild/index.html