78D200

if you plan on making a 340 clone then start out with a duster that already has a 318 in it and don't bother with the 360, save your pennies for a 340. you can get a duster with a slant 6 in it but you'll need a tranny to back up the "new" motor.

I'd find one with a 318 already in it and go from there. the 340 and 360 will bolt up to the tranny and you'll have everything else that already need.

challenger

are you able to find a 70/72 duster around where your at ? do what 78 says and go with one that allready has a smallblock in it that way it will be alot nicer change over , good luck and tell us what you decide and Welcome to the forums

challenger

any 340 will work and if it were me id stay with the 904 as they are lighter in weight and you can get the same performance out of it , you will need to get it freshly rebuilt and have some stronger stuff in it to hold up to the 340 but it would be well worth it , parts are alittle harder to find for the 904 but again still worth it

78D200

The 904s are a good tranny, but are usually a little more to build than the 727. I'd get the duster with the 318 in it though.

I got a front outer fender for my 78 d200 off of ebay and it was perfectly fine. Becareful who our buy from though.

Commando

Definitely check out the sellers on eBay, I have been doing business on there for 8 years, and only been burned once or twice. But there are lots of shady people out there, so definitely check them out and watch for the scammers.

78D200

318s are like a dime a dozen. I don't think that you'd be able to get much more than $300 for the combo around my area. I'd leave it in and get your hands onto a 360, rebuild that to how you want. Then when you are ready to pull the 318, rebuild the 904 with a whole mess of goodies, bolt the 360 to the 904, run it through the break in cycle and then go have some fun. Thats just me though.

78D200

That fender on ebay looks like the quality that I got from another seller. I'd go onto Craiglist in your area and see who has what for parts as well. There are some pretty good deals on there.

ef8340

hey tyler
the duster starting out with a 318/904 is a good starting point if i may give you acouple of pointers though from xperiance get your driveline done 1st nothing is more sickining than doing work putting in the motor and scratching the crap out of it ,... or buddys helping you doing it as with the body id strip down the engine bay paint it your color of choice take your time and do it right it'll pay off in the end [ dont just fog it all black like previous brand x owners do ] now with this being a v-8 car it just might have a 8.75 rear end if so sweet just need to swap the center section with either a 742? or 489 [not sure on the 1st no. have to look under my dart since your under the car check the under body for rust holes fix if nessicary unto the trans your wanting to make a clone? 340 duster go with a 727 you wanting to get it going alittle quicker [ driving wise ] rebiuld the 904 with a shift kit maybe a mild stall get a torque converter for a 360 or 340 just make sure your local speed shop knows this along with the flex plate dont just go to advance auto/napa/autozone thinking they'll hook you up cause they are only computer smart nowadays not like the good ole days now since your upgrading to a 340 or 360 your gonna need new motor mounts atleast one side cant remember which side driver or pass but the mounting ear location on the block is a little different now if you go the 360 route make sure you have the right oil pan not a truck/van pan your 318 pan will not interchange 360 is bigger around the crank humps since your doing this you might want to upgrade the torsion bars to a 340 version these will be firmer in handling 318s were used in /6s this will eliminate alot of how your duster reacts taking off alot of racers kinda like the /6 bars as they are smaller and transfer power towards back wheels but with the xtra horse they kinda suck cornering i think the 340 torsion bars are the way to go seeing how this is pretty much covered then move onto your body as with fenders and doors id go through e-bay but qtrs maybe yearone or something like that just remember take your time and it will pay off

ef8340

p.s
keep us posted let us know how your doing
and for bc make sure your doing these upgrades for a v-8 car not a /6 just adding a sway bar is not going to make it be like its on a rail plus a motorhome 318/727 trans 9 out of 10 times had a long shaft just make sure you bring a tape measure with ya
Terry