Putting a Factory 318 Magnum in a Duster

[goldduster]

I was wondering how much work it would take to put a 318 magnum in a '70 Duster. Can I use my factory torque converter, motor mounts, and accessory drive system? My car has a factory LA 318 in it (2bbl) I am not going to run an electric fuel pump or the fuel injection. I would replace the intake with a Dual plane (mopar performance) and use an adapter to bolt my small bore thermoquad on the top. I think I can use a mechanical fuel pump if I use the front cover from an LA engine, and the fuel pump eccentric. I also think that an oil pan from any 318 car will work. Am I right??? Will my electroinc igniton work with the magnum? I found a good diplomat to pull the front cover and oil pan off of if they will work.

Will this combo make alot more power than my factory 1970 318??? Would this swap be fairly easy???

Thanks in advance

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GOLDDUSTER
'70 Plymouth Duster
http://duster.excelland.com/duster318
The Plymouth Duster Homepage
http://duster.excelland.com

[kchristopher]

What you are considering will work. The only problem I can think of is using the fuel pump with the stock cam. Hughes Engines sells a snout extension that will make it work for under $20. Not sure about the oil pan.

Why not just start with a new shortblock? Seems that it would be much cheaper

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68 Cuda, twisties style
http://members.xoom.com/magnumcuda/sprfish.htm
96 Club Cab 4x4, Cummins 5spd

[rumblefish360]

The swaping of that eng. should be straight foward. As easy as a replacement. All of your old acc. drives should bolt right on.
Now the fuel pump ecentric and pump deal. "I think" theres a problem with the ecentric going on the can. I'll look later and get back to you . That is if its not allready ans.ed
Also the torque "may" need to be looked at. I'm not sure.
As far as HP. I forget what The Magnum is rated @, but the '70 , 318 is rated @230HP.
A small cam in the Magnum would be real good.

[J D]

HP on my 99 318 is 230 HP and 300 FPT

[goldduster]

If i remember, the '70 318 in "Net" hp (what the magnum is in) is 175hp vs the Magnum's 230hp.

I think I can get the whole deal at the local dismanteler (there was a wrecked '98 Dakota in there) might still have the engine, so I might not even have to look very hard. I think it will cost $300 for the whole deal.

[ChristianCuda]

You would be better off putting in a electric fuel pump even a Holley blue or equivalent than trying to convert over to the mechanical. Also thsoe HP and torque figures are with the fuel injection and computer for that engine. If you remove these those values are null-in-void.

I would switch the electric pump over and keep all the electronics and fuel injection with it. It would be a cool ride.

Just my 2 cents for what its worth

Christian

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Http://ThunderRacing.Knudstrup.net/

68 'Cuda 383 Best of 8.363@83.78 in the 1/8mile which is a mid 12 with a 1.89 60ft
Formula S recreation not original but making like they should have at the factory) Working on adding EFI
69 'Cuda Race Parts Car
76 Duster 273 recent transplant
95 Neon 2.0 SOHC best of 16.96
84 Dodge Ram D50 transplanting 360

[rumblefish360]

That would be the way to do it!

[goldduster]

I would do it if the Fuel Injectoin wiring wasn't a big deal. I'm going for an inexpesive (I checked the price for the parts out $800.00) and more powerful engine, but a pretty close to factory look and ease of installation. I also don't want to use a racing gas tank, or run a return line. I don't want my car out for very long (assemble it on the bench, and put it in in a weekend) I think the magnum is the most powerful 318 I could "build" for $800.00 without doing any shortblock/head swapping. All the parts for this are sitting at the local dismantler, and their prices are fairly reasonable. My car is sort of a "Sleeper" Its White (no vinyl roof) has green interior, and I am putting on some factory "dog dish" hubcaps with trim rings. Its also a coulumn shift. It looks like my granny owns it.

[rumblefish360]

Well, if such is the case. Hows this for an idea? Swap the eng. with a MoPar dual plane & cam. (Like ya said.
Are set of headers out of the question?

[goldduster]

I might put headers on, the big thing I'm worried about is cooking the starter. I don't want to put a mini starter in the car. Do those heat shields really work???

The car has single exaust now, but duals are coming next summer anyway.

[F Cicalese]

The heat shield on my van seemed to protect the starter very well. I understand that you can also apply some foil backed insulation (like the stuff used inside the engine box cover of vans) to the heat shield for extra protaction. I've never tried that, but a fellow up the street swears it works. Can't be seen from the curb either.

[rumblefish360]

goldduster:

F.Cicalese's freind has the idea. It'll work. I went through starters like crazy in my Duster. Then the parts man asked. I said headers. He gave me a 360 starter that was built to take the heat better.
Now I was down to 1 a season. To fix it finally, I wraped the header up,(only by the starter) then the starter. Banded the wrap around the starter and never change it again!
I have the Mopar mini starter in my Cuda. So far so good, it clears the headers easy.

[goldduster]

Could I put a 4 speed Overdrive behind it?

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Goldduster
'70 Duster 318 2bbl
http://duster.svhost.com/duster70?REC=0
The Plymouth Duster Homepage
http://duster.excelland.com?REC=0