71 engine swap 318 to 440

[galli]

Hey Charger friends

I bought recently a 71 Charger.

Originally was a 318 engine build in and actually it is a 360.

I like to swap to a 440.

Can someone tell me for which important points and changes I have to look at.

Are there changes at the body necessary?

I had a look at the K-Frame and found out that it should be the same. Nevertheless it looks very tight or impossible to assemble the engine.

Do I have to change the radiator or the compressor for the air condition or ....

Other suspension?

It also looks like the wishbone will be in collision with the oil pan.

Which other points I have to cover?

I'm a newbie in car restoration. I appreciate all your comments and help.

Thanks for your support

[galli]

Ups .. not wishbone --> driveshaft

Btw the 440 engine is from 1978

[DynoDave]

Sept 7, 2019 12:52:04 GMT -5 galli said:

Hey Charger friends

I bought recently a 71 Charger.

Originally was a 318 engine build in and actually it is a 360.

I like to swap to a 440.

Can someone tell me for which important points and changes I have to look at.

Are there changes at the body necessary?

I had a look at the K-Frame and found out that it should be the same. Nevertheless it looks very tight or impossible to assemble the engine.

Do I have to change the radiator or the compressor for the air condition or ....

Other suspension?

It also looks like the wishbone will be in collision with the oil pan.

Which other points I have to cover?

I'm a newbie in car restoration. I appreciate all your comments and help.

Thanks for your support

Welcome aboard galli.

I've never done the conversion, so hopefully someone else with a little more knowledge will chime in. Here's what I "think" I know.

Are there changes at the body necessary? None that I am aware of.

I had a look at the K-Frame and found out that it should be the same. Nevertheless it looks very tight or impossible to assemble the engine. I think the engine mount locations are different small block to big block? If so, a different K-frame would be desirable, but there may also be conversion engine mounts from Schumacher Creative Services.

Do I have to change the radiator or the compressor for the air condition or... The radiator...I don't know if the hose locations are the same or not. What is the distance across the top tank of the radiator you have?

Other suspension? Hmmm...I don't think there are any parts small block parts that "won't fit". But, the big block weighs more than the small block. They would have used different torsion bars. You may be able to crank the small block ones up, but bigger bars would be the "right" answer I think.

It also looks like the driveshaft will be in collision with the oil pan. This one I don't understand. The transmission may move a little small block to big block...I don't know. You may need a different or modified driveshaft. But I can't picture it getting anywhere near the oil pan.

[71se3834v]

K frame different - yes.
Heavier torsion bars - yes.
Big block w/ac would have used a 26" radiator. Not sure if the SB w/air used 22" or 26".
904 trans might be shorter than a 727 trans?

[odzking]

Sept 10, 2019 6:17:05 GMT -5 71se3834v said:

K frame different - yes.
Heavier torsion bars - yes.
Big block w/ac would have used a 26" radiator. Not sure if the SB w/air used 22" or 26".
904 trans might be shorter than a 727 trans?

Agreed with one exception (IMHO) that 904 won't last long behind the 440. I would find a 727 to be safe.

[DynoDave]

Compressor for the a/c...forgot that you asked about this. The compressor itself is the same. The brackets that mount it to the engine are almost certainly different. And I would guess the lines are too, as it will likely sit in a slightly different spot than on a small block. Don't know about the pulley/clutch.

[Nacho-RT74]

K frame IS NOT DIFFERENT for 71/72, just 73 and lates. For 71/72 will need just the right engine mounts

Suspension upgrades. Bigger T bar and sway bars. These were diff according to the engine weight. Not mandatory but advised

Radiator upgrade.

A/C system... compresor itself is the same ( if we are talking about the RV2 ) but not the brackets &/or hoses lenght. I think is easier try to find a full Big block compressor assembly with brackets attached than just the brackets thought.

Oil pans... depending on where it comes the 440 might work or not. Repro oil pans are available for the application anyway. Of course also need to consider the oil duct to the pan

Don't worry about the body. Is the same for BB or SB.

Which rear axle do you have ? need to consider this depending on the 440 and what do you want to build with it. A 318 would get tipically an 8 1/4" axle, but better upgrade it to a 8 3/4" at least. Can be done later but considering the driveshaft change better make it at once. The driveshaft lenghts chart has been posted around.

( Bob, there is no 904s for BBs )

thinking you are getting a post 73 Big Block, they got a diff water pump housing than earliers, with a diff inlet indexing. This must be considered to match with radiator.

Steering pump, pulleys, belts and brackets setup where disposed diff between pre 72 and post 73, even more with A/C. Dunno how CORRECT do you want to build the 440 to the 71 year, BUT this must be considered building a full setup, because could be hard try to fit a pre 72 water pump housing with a post 73 steering pump setup ( for example )

[71se3834v]

Sept 10, 2019 9:46:33 GMT -5 odzking said:

Sept 10, 2019 6:17:05 GMT -5 71se3834v said:

K frame different - yes.
Heavier torsion bars - yes.
Big block w/ac would have used a 26" radiator. Not sure if the SB w/air used 22" or 26".
904 trans might be shorter than a 727 trans?

Agreed with one exception (IMHO) that 904 won't last long behind the 440. I would find a 727 to be safe.

What I was saying is the 904 might be shorter therefore the driveshaft, being longer, would interfere with a BB/727 setup. Lost in translation. 😁

[galli]

Hey guys,

thanks a lot for all of your comments. Appriciate a lot. Try to answer all of you.

Radiator: Looks like it is the original one. According to the fender tag I have a premium version of the charger with a 26" radiator. So maybe no need to change. I'm actually more concerned about the distance radiator to fan...

Transmission: have already a complete overhauled 727 and aware of the change of he tranny mount. If I got you correctly I have to shorten the drive shaft, correct?

Rear axle: How can I check which axle do I have? Originally the car had an automatic transmission. I found a chart which told me in that configuration I should have a 8 3/4"

Oil pan: I know that I have to change. With the actual one the engine will not fit. I need one with a shallow sump. Any recommendation.

AC: Bought the engine with the original compressor. All the other parts I have to buy new anyway. Position is actually on top at the front. Do I have to change it to the side? Looks like in this position it will go in collision with the hood.

New engine mounts: Try to get it. The engine swap mount from Schuster are actually sold out at the shops I can find with google.

Hood: Do I need a new one or will it be necessary to make a cut into it?

Steering: Do I have to change the steering components witch are fixte down the left fender? Does it fit with the steering bar from tire to tire when I have a the correct oil pan or do i have to change it for o modified one?

Torsion bars: Got it and will organize some.

Headers: Any recommendations? Easy fit - try to avoid bending or cutting something at the body

Sorry asking so many questions but like to be prepared as much as possible when I start with the assembly. I will have help from a shop who rebuild normally Mustangs and they have no experiance with chargers.

Agian ... thanks a lot to all of you for the help

[Nacho-RT74]

Tranny mount won't change. The driveshaft lenght chart is posted around in this board. Just check your one with the lenght posted on chart. I think posted the chart from the 74 parts catalog which pretty sure will apply the same fro 71s, being the same axles distance.

Don't worry about the hood. A 440 fit down any hood compresor included. Compressor brackets need to be changed to the big block setup if you didn't have it with the block, but as I mentioned if needed, is easier get a full compressor with the brackets mounted than get just the brackets.

You don't need any engine mount adaptors from shumacher, any REGULAR/Stock engine mounts available at regilar parts stores will make the job. Diff stuff is you WANT the ones being sold by Shumacher. The deal with shumachers engine mount "ADAPTORS" is to fit big blocks on 73 and laters B bodies originally Small block, where the engine mounts location changed between BB and SB, making two diff K members for big and small bloc, but this is JUST on 73 and laters B bodies

Don't worry about steering components, that has nothing to do between BB and SB. The correct oil pan is available repro on many places around ( 440spurce is one of them I think )