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This is my first post and I am new to the forum. My son (16) and I have decided to tackle our first project. While I am a chevy guy, my son is a Mopar guy (drives a Challenger)! Well, for my son and the the experience, I will change teams and can't wait to get started. By the way, we have decided on the 66-67 (maybe 68) Coronet. My question is this: Which do I choose? Goal is to have a family car that will be comfortable and reliable for a possible daily driver. Cost is pretty close...within 10% of each other.
Option 1: 67 Coronet 440 with a 318 that was rebuilt last year with a few upgrades (carb, valve covers, etc.), but not radical. Was repainted (not our fav color). New interior and bucket seats were added. Someone did a nice job of an initial restoration and is very clean overall. However, we are looking to maybe add some bolt-on power, disc brakes, A/C (we live in TX), stereo, upgrade suspension and a few other pieces. Maybe give it a 7.5/10.
Option 2: 66 Coronet 500 with a 440 that was rebuilt at some point, but not sure when. Original paint and does need some minor body work. Original interior and has a good bit of restoration (already has disc brakes and little more on the mechanical) as well, but not to the same level of the 67 but overall is clean. Maybe give it a 6/10. Would do same upgrades on both vehicles.
Is the 440 engine worth taking even if it is a "lesser" car? Is the 440 engine to much for a daily driver? Is the 318 engine powerful with a few bolt-ons? Being new to this world, our first one will be relatively mild, but do want a sweet ride at the end. Any other considerations? Thanks for the insight?
Thanks for the reply. Wasn’t considering resale but more about daily reliability and use. However, probably should.
As a daily a vehicle doesn’t know what it’s powered by and it comes down to mechanical condition. It both were in the same condition but you we’re looking for a certain power output say 400hp the 440 could be there with a cam and headers were the 318 would be a complete build and less reliable. If gas mileage is top on your list the 318 will probably get half again the fuel mileage the 440 will if both were stock but roughly the same at 400hp.
I would go with the 440 for a few reasons higher resale, higher cool factor easier to make power and probably the last time in your life you will be able to daily drive a big block Mopar! After all the government wants us all to buzzz in an EV.
On the one hand, the 318 is a *great* mill. Just a wonderful engine. It takes a heck of a beating and keeps on ticking. Ask me how I know.
That being said, even a tired “smog years” 440 has a ton of down low thump and it’s a “cooler” engine in that it’s a big block, not a boring LA SB haha.
The 318 will get you about 18 mpg all day, and the 440 won't. At all. So there's that, too.
I agree with the 440 choice. 318 cars are reliable engines even with the 904 transmissions. Buttttttttttt a 318 isn't a muscle car engine. 440s are like the queen of the prom everybody wants it and takes pictures with it.
I agree with the 440 choice. 318 cars are reliable engines even with the 904 transmissions. Buttttttttttt a 318 isn't a muscle car engine. 440s are like the queen of the prom everybody wants it and takes pictures with it.
not exactly true! it's very easy to squeeze horses out of a 318. a light 318 with 350 horse will wake you up on a nice morning. hot rod magazine back in the day made one pushing 400 pretty easily, said it was a real thumper.
Yes, yes, I agree 318s have the capability to leap tall buildings when built up. I was saying stock they weren't born a muscle engine like the 440s.Size alone gave it that muscle edge even with the non-magnum 440. In 1968 as a kid (I'm dating myself) my friend's mechanic father took us for a fast test drive in their 1968 Coronet which he thought had a 383 pushing it. I was amazed at the speed and force when he stomped on it. I was more amazed when we found out it was a 318.
I don't care how great a 318 is your going to drop some serious to for it to equal a stock HP 440 plus you will need to run it harder for the same HP numbers reducing reliability.
Well folks...picked up the 1966 Coronet 500 with the 440 motor! Here are a couple of pics. Interior is in really good shape. Runs good, but it does want to shut off when I put it in reverse some times and the idle really does vibrate the car. I am taking it to a mechanic this week for a once over to check it all out, but other than that...runs well.
Now I have to prioritize and figure out where to start so we have some small victories while we enjoy driving it. Want to add AC and some sort of stereo. This will be more of a restomod! Looking forward to getting started. Any tips/tricks are certainly welcome!
02-01-2023, 08:18 AM
to for it to equal a stock HP 440 plus you will need to run it harder for the same HP numbers reducing reliability. 
