o.k. I am in the planning stages of swapping a small block mopar into a 49 dodge for a friend. i have been looking for a older 318. and that is probably what we will use. my truck is a 99 dodge with a 5.9. are these essentially the same motor? can i put a carb and normal dist. on a newer magnum motor and what are my trans options?and exhaust manifolds also. can i swap older manifolds onto a newer motor? if we went with a newer magnum motor. please help with some pros and cons either way.thanks!
I havent messed with a 99 magnum. But i have dealt with a bit older magnums. A 904 trans or 727 will bolt up just the same as a old 318 to 64 a poly. I put a dist from a 360 for the electronic ing and the intake from a 360 because it was one i had for a 4 barrel. Exhaust ports were still the same only main difference was the rocker arms were stud mounted instead of shaft. Im not sure if there was any big changes in a 99. I would have to look at one.
You can alter the bolt holes on the LA intake to allow it to work on the magnum motors, (do a google search, the process has been documented) or you can buy a carbed intake for the Magnum motor. Use the Magnum exhaust if possible, they flow better then any of the LA exhaust manifolds. Gene
They sell a manifold for the late magnums to change over to carb. here is one, also use a 904 as it will fit better than a 727 in the tunnel area, less to mess with. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Mopar-D...=380288343329&ps=63&clkid=8983525153649361017
They are not the best performance wise ,but the exhaust manifolds from an early v8 dart will fit around the steering column.
If you are going to use the stock steering box, this is the way to go. You would also want to offset the motor to the passenger side by about 3/4" to 1" to help with clearance - MoPar did this from the factory. You may also want an oil pan, pick up tube, dip stick and dip stick tube from a truck or van to help with crossmember clearance.
Yea the exhaust manifold is why i asked about using the older ones its like it was made to fit that car. Thanks for the info so far keep it coming! Thanks
The driver side exhaust manifold from a 67-76 8cyl "A" body Dart,Valiant,Duster,ect.. will fit around the stock steering column, the 68-71 340 manifold flows better than the 318/273 manifold but is a little pricey. You could use Dakota/Ram truck manifolds which flow better than the A body manifolds but you'll have to move the motor over to the passenger side about 2 1/2" or move the steering box over 1", either way the engine has to be offset to the passenger side to clear the steering column. Any small block Mopar transmission from 68 up will bolt to a magnum engine but one thing to watch out for is the torque converter or flywheel, all 318's are internally balanced but the 360 is external so the converter or flywheel has to have be for the right engine, also the magnum 360 is balanced differently from the LA 360 so keep that in mind when the time comes. Check out my build thread, I just put a 318 in my 46 plymouth the pics might help you out.
Check out this book. One of my old room mates had it and it talks alot about using the magnum engines if I remeber right.
Just a tidbit of info I found out the hard way I initially picked up a 68 and up A body exhaust manifold for my 50 dodge 360 swap but that one has a "thicker" bend to it and I still couldn't get comfortable clearance. So I went out and got a 67 or earlier manifold that has a considerably tighter bend and got me the clearance I needed. If you have a choice, get an early one.
The Jalopy Journal
