Nightmare

Currently I have a stock 318 in my 72 charger. This guy close to me is selling a brand new 440 magnum v8 with the matching 727 tranny and the 8.75 rear for only $1000! Also with 294/ 484 cam with lifters (edlebrock prostreet)
and double roller cam gears and the Motor has 0 miles since professional rebuild.

So my question is if I did the swap, would I only have to change the engine mounts? Or do I have to mess with the K frame too?

John Van

All V8 '72 chargers used the same k-frame. You only need the big block motor mounts.Depending on what the rear end came out of,it might need some work on the spring perches and will need Big block springs.Also a bigger,better radiator.

good luck and have fun! john

TVLynn

That's a super deal ! If you use the cam you will need a 2500-3000 stall converter at a minimum 3.55 gears

Nightmare

I believe my 72 has a 8.25 rear. I asked a few people and I've gotten mixed reviews , some say all I need to do is change the mounts and drop it in, and others said I'd have to reinforce the k frame to handle the big block among a couple other things.

Archer

NM -

Call Shumacher racing and get their conversion motor mounts. A lot easier than trying to modify factory mounts to fit.

You may need to replace or at least modify the drive shaft for fit.

I did the conversion in the early 80's with the small block K-frame and it's still in one piece. Unless you plan on a full race rig, there's no need to replace it.

As far as rear springs, sway bars etc, kinda depends on the condition of your current ones. I didn't repalce any of mine.

Yes, it will be a tight fit with headers - yes, you will need a new exhaust system and a tranny cooler (in addition to a new radiator) is a good idea.

(Sorry for being a little skeptical, but that's a lot of stuff for $1,000)

Archer

Nightmare

@archer

My suspension is good, so a new radiator shouldn't be that much trouble. I couldn't believe this deal either, the seller is selling his 69 coronet which has a 383 I believe and the 440 separate, he says he was gonna build something but because of gas prices he's decided to sell, that's a hell of a deal though.

TVLynn

Even if you decide not to do the swap I would be worth it to buy for resale !!!

bremereric

Your suspension will suck when you take out a 318 and drop a 440 in there. Your going to have to upgrade your torsion bars to at least 1". You better have front disc brakes and you better not have a junky 7.25" rear end. Been there done that with my Dart.

Archer

Eric -

I'm still using the stock 318 torsion bars and the rest of the suspension for that matter, on the Charger, OK, excep tfor the shocks. Can't speak for the Dart, but the B-bodies seem to hold up pretty well, even with the bigger engines.

The OP is getting an 8 3/4" rear in the deal.

Upgrading can always be a plus, but I like to see a quantifiable result for my money. IOWs, if it ain't broke... Besides, if he finds there's a problem, the torsion bars are a pretty easy swap.

Archer

bremereric

Depends on what size your stock ones are. Mine were .892 and .893 and the sucked with the added weight and torque.

Archer

Eric -

Good point. Never measured mine, have to do that next time I'm under the car.

Archer

bremereric

Yours is a heavier car to start so it probably has larger bars to start out with.