randy8

i have a 74 swinger that has a slant six and i want to put a 318 in it i was wandering how much work is involve in the swap

440roadrunner

What year is the 318, what is it out of?

Is this a pre-68 318, aka "poly?" Then no

If this is a magnum, some differences from below

If this is a LA series 318, then:

"The factory way."

You'll need a V8 K member (front cross member)

"the non factory way." Go here and order what is called "swap" engine mounts, which are special after-market mounts that hook to the /6 K member and allow you to bolt in the V8

http://www.engine-swaps.com/

If you have a stick, you'll need a different bell, flywheel, and clutch, and probably some clutch linkage pieces

If you have an automatic, you'll need a long shaft either 904 or 727 to fit the V8, along with related hardware. This gets tricky, as "Ma" balanced the external balanced engines like the 260 by using weights welded to the converter. You can knock those off, for an LA 318, which are internally or so called "neutral" balance

You'll need a "car" engine pan as opposed to a pickup or van pan, exhaust manifolds to fit the body / engine combo. Generally, van / pickup manifolds won't work.

Obviously, you need exhaust system

Radiator "might" work. The top connection is on wrong side, but you can use a flex hose.

If you have power steering, you'll need a pump and brackets to fit the 318, and compatible pulleys. Nothing off the slant will work, maybe except for the actual pump itself

Minor changes in the wiring harness, pretty easy. The alternators are the same so long as they are 1970 or later

TVLynn

Lots of people have do it But you need to change the complete drive train. Best done if you have a donor car

440roadrunner

Very good point and I forgot to mention........you probably have the tiny 7 1/4" rear axle. This will break fairly quickly with any horsepower at all.

SspazZ

440, could he just not find some .087 torsion bars and the motor mounts(no k-frame replacement) from Schumacher.

http://www.engine-swaps.com/Pages/Products.html

440roadrunner

I posted the Schumacher link

Frankly, I'd go with much larger than V8 factory T bars. MUCH larger. These cars were "under" sprung badly. The fact is, it is not the DESIGN of the suspension that is so bad, it's the springs, lack of brakes, anti sway bar, and shocks, along with junk factory tires, that made these cars such mundane drivers.

A 74 should already have disc brakes. The addition of decent T bars, re-work the rear leafs, even a factory front anti-roll bar, and along with new parts and alignment, and good shocks and tires, and these cars WILL handle.