dtrogers27

Hello,


I have 1963 4 door Plymouth Belvedere v8 318 Poly motor push button automatic that I purchased in middle school and rebuilt with my father. This car ran great for about 4 years until several issues poped up (Engine overheating, idle speed, fuel issues). Since then it has sat for about 8 years.

• My father has since moved may states away, so his expertise is not an option
  
• I do have some local friends who have experience with old mopar's
  
• My experience level on combustion engines is about 3/10, but I am able to follow a manual pretty well
  

I now have the time and money to spend on the car and have ran into a lot of problems (I do own the full shop manual)

• Parts parts and parts. I did not realize that the Polysphere carbs and intake are not interchangeable with the more common LA motor.
  • I have 2 Bendix Stromberg carbs and have had issues finding rebuild kits that fit...I appear to not be the only one with this issue.
    
  • I'd like to change the intake and just plop a Holly or Edelbrock carb, but the last aftermarket intake for a Poly stopped selling several years ago...so no hope there unless i want an ebay over priced used and damaged one
    
  • Overheating was an issue when I was in high school and i'd imagine it was still an issue today if I could get it running on these old Carbs.
    

With all these issues in mind (and maybe others), I was told I should just rip out that old 318 Poly and put in a 318 LA or even a 400+ Hemi.

• Is this a solid solution or even possible for my year and version?
  • If so, what year and size does anyone recommend?
    
• Am I able to do this and keep my current transmission?
  
• Am I leaving any obvious questions out? Am I crazy for wanting to keep this car and possibly drop money on it?
  

I appreciate any help people can provide. Criticism is the key to learning...so have at it!

Iowan

I think the car is worth the effort to get going, the 318 poly was a good motor but getting parts can be a challenge. There are other options for engines I'd say go for it especially if it was a project that you and your dad worked on.

RacerHog

I say rip it out and put a 440 w/727 trans and go drive it.... EFI of course... But thats just me..