74 Charger SE 318 barn Find

[tmorford]

I think you guys have a lot more confidence in my abilities then I do... and I appreciate that!

[XH29N0G]

Looks like it will be fun.  A few years ago, I was lucky enough to hear a friend's kid saying: "Dad, its about the journey.  It not about what it looks like now."  We were on our way to look at a car. My friend asked me to join as another set of eyes, and I suspect, a voice of reason..... 

I expect your project to be a really enjoyable journey and look forward to hearing about the progress, questions, hiccups (if there ever are any), and the wins. 

Please keep up posted.

[Nacho-RT74]

prepair yourself to suffer with interior plastic panels LOL ( Don't ask how I know it LOL )

[tmorford]

Well today is the day I run up to get it, wish me luck haha I think I am going to need it!

[XH29N0G]

Well today is the day I run up to get it, wish me luck haha I think I am going to need it!

JUST REMEMBER "it is about the journey." 

In one way or another we all can empathize   

and will live it vicariously.   

[tmorford]

Thanks guys... picked it up today.

The bad: All the rubber under the car needs replacing but I already knew that and planned for that.

The ugly: Interior is trashed the drivers seat is not original ducktape on the doors, dash cracked, carpet is trashed, center console is trashed everything is trashed. The vinal top is also trashed, holes and looks like someone just put putty for the top no vinal left.

The good: Runs awesome, not sounds in the motor at all, no smoke, shifts great. Paperwork states transmission rebuilt 2017. AC works,  new alternator, bakes work great, drives like a dream.

I am going to replace the door cards, carpet sooner then later.

Not bad all in all.

Tim

[RallyeMike]

That car looks like a great starting platform.... lack of rust, slapstick, and rallye gauges.... and runs good too? Good find.

[70 sublime]

Sounds like a good project 

[XH29N0G]

Sounds good.

[CFMopar]

Congratulations on your project!

[tmorford]

Hey guys I have disregarded all your advice sorry... I have the car a part and the paint ordered, I have the new interior so when the car is done with paint it's going to going in. Now I need some help with the Engine it has the original 318 in it and its numbers matching so I am going to keep it, it has the original 2b carb in it, I want some more HP out of it what should I do? I found a machine shop 7 miles from my house and they can clean it up and bore it out if needed, what cam should I use pistons, rods, heads, intake, EFI or Carb?

I know I should not have taken it all a part but it gets cold and boring in upstate NY in winter haha!

Thanks!
Tim

[Nacho-RT74]

sorry, this link doesn't work for me being in Spain ( some web restrictions ), but it has been a reference for many ppl with 318s and I could open it when I was in Vzla

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-0409-318-engine-build/

I hope will still work. Basically said how to build a 400 HP 318 with parts out of the box

[tmorford]

Yeah I have seen that article its bolt-on stuff but I am having issues finding some of the parts and I don't really need 400hp, I am looking for more 320 or so to start, I am thinking of starting with this>

https://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/2176PK/10002/-1

then do a full bottom end rebuild in a few years. 

[AKcharger]

so...hows things going?

[tmorford]

It's actually going well, I have sourced original front seats and a slap shift. The car seems to have been brown originally and was painted that ugly green. It also looks like it was side-swiped at one time they replaced the passenger side door and the rear quarter panel is banged up so I am fixing them and I should be ready for paint! I am still looking for 360 heads I can bolt on once that is done I just need to work on the dash and the center console and I am done!  I will send up pictures soon.

[AKcharger]

 

[tmorford]

So I have a line on a cheap 440 out of an RV 68k should I swap or stick with the 318?

[ralley72]

stay with the 318.

Mike

[Nacho-RT74]

IMHO, get the engine for a future but keep building the car with the 318 if you want to enjoy the car soon. Proceed with engine "upgrade" later. Swap the engine is not just the engine, but transmission, mounts and match lot of stuff.

Depending on engine year ( and even more coming from an RV )  it could make a huge diff on power, so still being cheap, MAYBE get it correctly powered wouldn't make it cheap anymore.

[Nacho-RT74]

Yeah I have seen that article its bolt-on stuff but I am having issues finding some of the parts and I don't really need 400hp, I am looking for more 320 or so to start, I am thinking of starting with this>

https://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/2176PK/10002/-1

then do a full bottom end rebuild in a few years. 

I have serious doubts that build from HotRod magazine makes full 400hp anyway. Maybe close, but is an easy job anyway to get more juice.