1974 charger manual conversion?

[kened79]

So I have had a somewhat of a very good parts car sitting around for # of years waiting to do something with. It’s a 400 bb 1974 se with 4 speed and bulge hood and other nice parts. Just found nice priced Texas car pretty fresh looking was a 318 changed to a 440.. Do I have most the parts to convert to the manual on the 440?

[kened79]

Also parts car steering colum seems to have some burnt wires. Does one fix this some how or can you use parts to convert the auto column?

[Nacho-RT74]

yes you can swap all the parts from the 4 speeds to the auto. I guess the one you found with 440 is Hardtop/Rallye ? because if is SE, is better get the 440 into the SE.

the only diff on wiring on column between floor or column shifter is the wire to light up the shifter indicator and thats easily removable.

is the one with 440 74 ? Steering column bracket and firewall changes on 74, althought having both columns you can match the assembly to the needs

is not just about engine, but also inner passenger fender changes between BB and SB on 73/74s a bit so you can swap them, not mandatory thought, just for correctness, I guess also radiator core support to accept the bigger radiator. Take care of what radiator use, because. Check if the engine swap made was correctly made considering Radiator and also K-Member ( K-member changes between SB and BB due the engine mounts location ). Torsion Bars and sway bars are thicker on BBs too.

wiring changes a lot also between 71, 72/73 and 74... I meant if you are thinking on swap wirings

[charger440sixpac]

You also need to have a 440 crankshaft drilled for the pilot bushing for the manual trans input shaft. If the one in the 440 you have isn't, a good machine shop can do it.

[kened79]

No the one I found is a 1974 se with 440 installed and the 1974 se I have has a 400 BB..

[Nacho-RT74]

if both are in about same body conditions keep your 4 speeds as is which is also BB and install there the 440. Use the other as donor if required.


if the one with 440 is NOTICEABLY in better conditions, well, everything will depend on how correct you want to build that one using your original 4 speeds as donor

[kened79]

The one I have already have has some issues. Someone had done some poor body work on rear quarter and pretty sure added none factory sunroof at one time. The car I found is mostly done to point that it can be driven and enjoyed while it’s worked on. Has fresh rebuild on motor tho if cranks not drilled for four speed would be a lot of work to put four speed in.. I always wanted a four speed/manual muscle car and one I have had sat for 18 years

[DynoDave]

Any idea how many '74 400 4spd. cars were built? My guess is it's a very small number. Would be a shame to lose a rare car that's saveable. But everyone has to determine that for themselves.

[Nacho-RT74]

There is one right now in Arizona being saved! but I'm agreed, would try to save that one, no matter if replacing the engine with a 440. If the 400 is the matching numbers to the car, storage it.

[Tom]

.....74 SE with 400 and 4 speed production number was 104

MY opinion: That's too rare to use as a donor car. Restore it or sell it to someone who will.